Evolution
Uploaded by kaileen on Feb 05, 2002
Evolution is "an unpredictable and natural process of temporal descent with genetic modification that is affected by natural selection, chance, historical contingencies and changing environments." Humans evolved from apes because of their similarities. This can be shown in the evidence that humans had a decrease in the size of the face and teeth that evolved. Early humans are classified in many different types of families.
There are many reasons to support the idea of evolution. For one, there are many fossil records that have been accurately dated by the use of Radiometric. Another reason to support evolution is the similarities of humans and apes. The facial structure from ancient fossils slowly evolves from ape to man. Both ape and man have opposable thumbs. One of the main resources that scientists have is Lucy, which is a 40% complete skeleton. The skeleton has similarities of both man and ape. The most interesting thing about it is that the skeleton has a pelvis, which means that it could walk upright.
Scientists have found enough fossils to show that the physical traits and achievements of the hominids have changed over time. The evidence for human evolution begins with the australopithecines. They were the first human like creatures to walk upright. Next, are the Homo habilis who were the first to make stone tools. The third hominid, Homo erectus, was found in Africa, Asia and Europe about 1.6 million years BC. This is when they first started to form a language and had the use of fire. The Neanderthals, who started to show up in South West Asia started to have ritual burials and temporary shelter. There bone structure and muscle tone was increasing too. Finally is the Cro-Magnon’s, they were found about 40,000 years BC. The Cro-Magnon’s are the modern human who created art, planned hunts and had communication.
My understanding of human evolution may change as more evidence becomes available. But with the information that I have learned so far and the knowledge that scientists already have about the process of evolution, it is hard to not believe in the facts. Modern scientists accept that human evolution happened and so do I.