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## Origin and Evolution of Man ### Place of origin of man - The fossil evidence clearly indicates that the origin of man occurred in Central Asia, China, Java and India (Shivalik Hills). - It has been established that Dryopithecus is one of the oldest fossils which in turn evolved into apes and me...

## Origin and Evolution of Man ### Place of origin of man - The fossil evidence clearly indicates that the origin of man occurred in Central Asia, China, Java and India (Shivalik Hills). - It has been established that Dryopithecus is one of the oldest fossils which in turn evolved into apes and men. ### The origin and evolution of man can be studied in the following three major headings: 1. **Prior to Ape Men** 2. **Ape Men including Prehistoric Men** 3. **True Men including the Living Modern Man** ### Prior to Ape Men #### 1. Dryopithecus - **Discovery:** The fossil of Dryopithecus africanus was discovered from Miocene rocks of Africa and Europe. - **It lived about 15 million years ago.** (About 15 mya) - **Characteristics:** - It was more ape-like and was hairy and walked like gorilla and chimpanzee. - It was arboreal, knuckle-walker and ate soft fruits and leaves. - Dryopithecus africanus is regarded as a common ancestor of man and apes (gibbons, orangutan, chimpanzee and gorilla). #### 2. Ramapithecus - **Discovery:** It has been established that in late Miocene epoch Dryopithecus gave rise to Ramapithecus (Rama = The hero of Indian legend, pithecus = ape) which was on the direct line of human evolution. - **Ramapithecus survived from late Miocene to Pliocene.** ### Ape Men including Prehistoric Men #### 1. Australopithecus - **Discovery:** Raymond Dart, an African anthropologist, discovered Australopithecus africanus from Pliocene rocks near Taung, South Africa. - **It appeared about 2 million years ago.** - **Characteristics:** Australopithecus africanus probably lived in East African woodlands and had some human characters. - Evidence shows that it had erect posture and a human-like brain capacity. - It did not have the eyes, Australopithecus africanus and Australopithecus boisei, of any other creatures. #### 2. Homo habilis - **Discovery:** L.S.B. Leakey discovered Homo habilis from Pleistocene deposits in Olduvai Gorge, East Africa. - **It lived in Africa about 2 million years ago.** - **Characteristics:** - Homo habilis had a larger brain capacity compared to its predecessor and exhibited signs of mental development. - It was the first tool maker and used stones extensively. - Remains show evidence of tools used, including sharpened stone tools. - Homo habilis was capable of communication and was the beginning of the development of humanity. ### Schematic representation of Evolution of Man - The image shows a schematic representation of the evolution of man. - **A timeline is presented with the following stages**: - Apes - Dryopithecus (15 million years) - Ramapithecus (14-15 million years) - Australopithecus africanus (2 million years, 500 c.c.) - Homo habilis (2 million years, 650-800 c.c.) - Homo erectus (1.5 million years, About 900 c.c.) - Homo sapiens fossilis (34,000 years, 1650 c.c.) - Homo sapiens neanderthalensis (100,000-40,000 years 1400 c.c.) - Homo sapiens sapiens (75,000-10,000 years, 1300-1600 c.c./Average 1450 c.c.) - **Age and cranial capacity are also given for each stage.** - **Note:** The timeline skips a few stages, including **A. robustus** and **A. boisei**, which are important in the evolution of the genus *Australopithecus*. - **Note:** The evolution of man is a complex process and the timeline presented in the image is a simplification of the current scientific understanding.