Scientists have not been able to come to a consensus about who the ancestors of people are, debates in scientific circles have been going on for more than a century. The most popular is the evolutionary theory proposed by the famous Charles Darwin. Taking for truth the fact that man is a "descendant" of the great ape, it is interesting to trace the main stages of evolution.
Evolutionary theory: human ancestors
As already mentioned, most scientists tend to agree with the evolutionary version that explains the origin of man. The ancestors of people, if you rely on this theory, are great apes. The transformation process took over 30 million years, the exact figure has not been established.
The founder of the theory is Charles Darwin, who lived in the 19th century. It is based on factors such as natural selection, the struggle for existence, hereditary variability.
Parapithecus
Parapithecus is the common ancestor of man and ape. Presumably, these animals inhabited the earth 35 million years ago. It is these ancient primates that are currently considered the initiallink in the evolution of the great apes. Dryopithecus, gibbons and orangutans are their "descendants".
Unfortunately, little is known about ancient primates, the data are obtained thanks to paleontological finds. It has been established that tree monkeys preferred to settle in trees or open spaces.
Driopithecus
Driopithecus is an ancient human ancestor, descended, according to available data, from Parapithecus. The time of appearance of these animals is not precisely established, scientists suggest that this happened about 18 million years ago. Semi-terrestrial apes gave rise to gorillas, chimpanzees and australopithecines.
Establish that driopithecus can be called the ancestor of modern man, helped the study of the structure of the teeth and jaw of the animal. The material for the study was the remains found in France in 1856. It is known that the hands of driopithecus allowed them to grab and hold objects, as well as throw them. Great apes settled mainly on trees, preferred a herd way of life (protection from attacks of predators). Their food was mainly fruits and berries, which is confirmed by a thin layer of enamel on the molars.
Australopithecines
Australopithecine is a highly developed ape-like ancestor of man, who inhabited the earth supposedly about 5 million years ago. The monkeys used their hind limbs for locomotion and walked in a half-upright position. Growth of the average Australopithecustotaled 130-140 cm, there were also higher or lower individuals. Body weight also differed - from 20 to 50 kg. It was also possible to establish a brain volume that was approximately 600 cubic centimeters, this figure is higher than that of great apes living today.
Obviously, the transition to upright posture led to the release of hands. Gradually, the predecessors of man began to master the primitive tools used to fight enemies, hunt, but have not yet begun to make them. Stones, sticks, animal bones acted as tools. Australopithecus preferred to settle in groups, as this helped to effectively defend themselves from enemies. Food preferences were different, not only fruits and berries were used, but also animal meat.
Outwardly, Australopithecus looked more like monkeys than like people. Their bodies were covered with thick hair.
Skillful man
Skillful Man outwardly practically did not differ from Australopithecus, but significantly surpassed him in development. It is believed that the first representative of the human race appeared about two million years ago. For the first time the remains of Homo habilis were found in Tanzania, it happened in 1959. The volume of the brain, which a skilled person possessed, exceeded that of Australopithecus (the difference was about 100 cubic centimeters). The growth of the average individual did not go beyond 150 cm.
These descendants of Australopithecus earned their name primarily for the fact thatbegan to make primitive tools. Products were mostly stone, used during hunting. It was possible to establish that meat was constantly present in the diet of a skilled person. The study of the biological characteristics of the brain allowed scientists to assume the likelihood of the beginnings of speech, but this theory has not received direct confirmation.
Human erectus
The settlement of this species occurred about a million years ago, the remains of Homo erectus were found in Asia, Europe, Africa. The volume of the brain possessed by representatives of Homo erectus was up to 1100 cubic centimeters. They were already able to make sounds-signals, but these sounds still remained inarticulate.
Human erectus is known primarily for the fact that he succeeded in collective activity, which was facilitated by an increase in brain volume compared to previous links in evolution. The ancestors of people successfully hunted large animals, learned how to make fire, as evidenced by the heaps of charcoal found in caves, as well as burnt bones.
Human erectus had the same height as a skilled man, differed by the archaic structure of the skull (low frontal bone, sloping chin). Until recently, scientists believed that representatives of this species disappeared about 300 thousand years ago, but recent findings refute this theory. It is possible that Homo erectus caught the appearance of modern humans.
Neanderthals
Not so long ago it was assumed thatNeanderthals are the direct ancestors of modern humans. However, recent data suggest that they represent a dead end evolutionary branch. Homo neanderthalensis had brains that were roughly the same size as modern humans. Outwardly, the Neanderthals almost did not resemble monkeys, the structure of their lower jaw indicates the ability to articulate speech.
It is believed that Neanderthals appeared about 200 thousand years ago. The places of residence they chose depended on the climate. These could be caves, rocky sheds, river banks. The tools that the Neanderthals made became more advanced. The main source of subsistence was hunting, which was done by large groups.
It was possible to find out that the Neanderthals had certain rituals, including those associated with the afterlife. It was they who had the first rudiments of morality, expressed in concern for fellow tribesmen. The first timid steps were taken in such a field as art.
A reasonable man
The first representatives of Homo sapiens appeared about 130 thousand years ago. Some scientists suggest that this happened even earlier. Outwardly, they looked almost the same? like the people who inhabit the planet today, the size of the brain did not differ.
Artifacts found as a result of archaeological excavations make it possible to assert that the first people were highly developed in terms ofculture. This is evidenced by such finds as cave paintings, various decorations, sculptures and engravings created by them. Approximately 15 thousand years it took a reasonable person to populate the entire planet. The improvement of labor tools led to the development of a productive economy; Homo sapiens became popular with such activities as animal husbandry and agriculture. The first large settlements belong to the Neolithic era.
People and monkeys: similarities
The similarities between humans and great apes are still the subject of research. Monkeys are able to move on their hind limbs, but the hands are used as a support. The fingers of these animals do not contain claws, but nails. The number of ribs of the orangutan is 13 pairs, while the representatives of the human race have 12. The number of incisors, canines and molars in humans and monkeys is the same. It is also impossible not to note the similar structure of organ systems, sensory organs.
The similarities between humans and great apes become especially clear when considering ways of expressing feelings. They show sadness, anger, joy in the same way. They have a developed parental instinct, which is manifested in caring for the cubs. They not only caress their offspring, but also punish them for disobedience. Monkeys have an excellent memory, able to hold objects and use them as tools.
These animals are susceptible to diseases such as typhoid, cholera, smallpox, AIDS and influenza. There are also common parasites: the head louse.
People and monkeys:key differences
Not all scientists agree that great apes are the ancestors of modern man. The average volume of the human brain is 1600 cubic centimeters, while this figure in animals is 600 cubic centimeters. see Approximately 3.5 times different and the area of the cerebral cortex.
It is possible to list the differences related to appearance for a long time. For example, representatives of the human race have a chin, inverted lips, allowing you to see the mucous membrane. They do not have fangs, the VID centers are more developed. Monkeys have a barrel-shaped chest, while humans have a flat chest. Also, a person is distinguished by an expanded pelvis, reinforced sacrum. In animals, the length of the body exceeds the length of the lower limbs.
People have consciousness, they are able to generalize and abstract, to use abstract and concrete thinking. Representatives of the human race are able to create tools, develop such areas as art and science. They have a linguistic form of communication.
Alternative theories
As already mentioned, not all people agree that monkeys are the ancestors of man. Darwin's theory has many opponents who bring more and more new arguments. There are also alternative theories explaining the appearance of representatives of Homo sapiens on planet Earth. The most ancient is the theory of creationism, which implies that a person is a creation created by a supernatural being. The appearance of the creator depends on religious beliefs. For example, Christians believe that peopleappeared on the planet thanks to God.
Another popular theory is the cosmic one. It says that the human race is of extraterrestrial origin. This theory considers the existence of people as the result of an experiment conducted by the cosmic mind. There is another version that says that the human race descended from alien beings.
