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Questions and Answers
What is the term used to describe the study of ancient humans based on fossil evidence, tools, and other signs of human habitation?
What is the term used to describe the study of ancient humans based on fossil evidence, tools, and other signs of human habitation?
What is the name of the species that is currently the only extant species of its genus, Homo?
What is the name of the species that is currently the only extant species of its genus, Homo?
When did the modern field of paleoanthropology begin?
When did the modern field of paleoanthropology begin?
What is the term used to describe the genus to which humans belong?
What is the term used to describe the genus to which humans belong?
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How long ago did the genus Homo diverge from the australopithecines in Africa?
How long ago did the genus Homo diverge from the australopithecines in Africa?
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What is the approximate time range during which Homo sapiens evolved?
What is the approximate time range during which Homo sapiens evolved?
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What is the primary view of modern human evolution among scientists?
What is the primary view of modern human evolution among scientists?
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When did human technology and culture begin to change more rapidly?
When did human technology and culture begin to change more rapidly?
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What is the term for the evolutionary history of genus Homo, including the emergence of Homo sapiens?
What is the term for the evolutionary history of genus Homo, including the emergence of Homo sapiens?
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Approximately how long ago did primates diverge from other mammals?
Approximately how long ago did primates diverge from other mammals?
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Study Notes
Human Evolution
- Human evolution is the part of biological evolution concerning the emergence of humans as a distinct species.
- The study of human evolution encompasses many scientific disciplines, including physical anthropology, linguistics, and genetics.
Phylogenetic Status
- The term "human" refers to the genus Homo, but studies of human evolution usually include other hominins, such as australopithecines.
Characteristics and Geographical Distribution
- The genus Homo diverged from the australopithecines about 2 million years ago in Africa.
- Several species of Homo evolved, including Homo erectus, which spread to Asia, and Homo neanderthalensis, which spread mainly to Europe.
- Homo sapiens evolved between 200,000 and 150,000 years ago.
Paleoanthropology
- Paleoanthropology is the study of ancient humans based on fossil evidence, tools, and other signs of human habitation.
- The modern field of paleoanthropology began in the 19th century with the discovery of "Neanderthal man."
Human Evolution Timeline
- 85 million years ago: Primates diverged from other mammals in the Late Cretaceous period.
- 55 million years ago: The earliest primate fossils appear in the Paleocene.
- 15-20 million years ago: The Hominidae family diverged from the Hylobatidae (gibbon) family.
- 14 million years ago: African great apes (subfamily Homininae) diverged from orangutans (Ponginae).
- 8-9 million years ago: The Hominini tribe (humans, Australopithecines, and other extinct biped genera, and chimpanzees) parted from the Gorillini tribe (gorillas).
- 4-7 million years ago: The subtribes Hominina (humans and biped ancestors) and Panina (chimpanzees) separated.
- 2 million years ago: The genus Homo diverged from the australopithecines in Africa.
- 200,000-150,000 years ago: Homo sapiens evolved in Africa.
- 50,000 years ago onwards: Human technology and culture began to change more rapidly.
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Description
Explore human evolution as a distinct species, covering phylogenetic status, characteristics, and geographical distribution. This scientific inquiry involves multiple disciplines, including physical anthropology, linguistics, and genetics.
