Human Evolution II

What defines "hominid" in fossil record?

Big brain

Bipedal posture

Genus Australopithecus – in Africa (~4 mya – 1.2 mya)

Completely bipedal and "small-brained"

Several different species seen

Genus Homo – first seen in Africa (from ~2.5 mya)

Taller, larger brain and smaller face

Used tools

Homo erectus – first species to leave Africa

Evolution of bipedal posture

Evolution of big brain

The two most recent species of hominids

Homo neanderthalensis – Neanderthal man

Homo sapiens – modern man (from ~150,000 ya)

Cultural evolution has become very important for most humans today