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Questions and Answers
Most scientists favor the view that modern humans evolved in ______ and spread across the globe.
Most scientists favor the view that modern humans evolved in ______ and spread across the globe.
Africa
Human evolution is the evolutionary process that led to the emergence of ______ modern humans.
Human evolution is the evolutionary process that led to the emergence of ______ modern humans.
anatomically
The study of human evolution involves several scientific disciplines, including ______ and genetics.
The study of human evolution involves several scientific disciplines, including ______ and genetics.
physical anthropology
The study of human evolution encompasses many scientific disciplines, most notably ______ anthropology, linguistics and genetics.
The study of human evolution encompasses many scientific disciplines, most notably ______ anthropology, linguistics and genetics.
Genetic studies show that primates diverged from other mammals about ______ million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous period.
Genetic studies show that primates diverged from other mammals about ______ million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous period.
In modern taxonomy, ______ sapiens is the only extant species of its genus, Homo.
In modern taxonomy, ______ sapiens is the only extant species of its genus, Homo.
The Hominidae family diverged from the ______ family some 15–20 million years ago;
The Hominidae family diverged from the ______ family some 15–20 million years ago;
The modern field of ______ began in the 19th century with the discovery of 'Neanderthal man'.
The modern field of ______ began in the 19th century with the discovery of 'Neanderthal man'.
The genus Homo diverged from the ______ about 2 million years ago in Africa.
The genus Homo diverged from the ______ about 2 million years ago in Africa.
Homo neanderthalensis, which spread mainly to ______.
Homo neanderthalensis, which spread mainly to ______.
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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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