2. Theories
Most scientists agree that there is
enough evidence to support the
theory that humans, apes, and
monkeys share a common
ancestor
Many fossils of organisms show
traits of both humans and apes
3. Primates
Primates: a group of mammals that
includes humans, apes, monkeys, and
lemurs
Have opposable thumbs (5 flexible
fingers)
Have binocular vision (eyes are
located on front of head and provide
3-D vision
4.
5. First primates
Ancestors of
primates were
mouse-like
mammals that
were active at
night, lived in
trees, and ate
insects
6. First primates did not exist until
dinosaurs died out
Chimpanzee is the closest living
relative of humans
This doesn’t mean that humans
descended from chimps
Means that humans and chimps had a
common ancestor
7.
8.
9. Hominids
Humans are in a family separate from
other primates
Hominids: includes only humans and
their human-like ancestors
Main characteristic that separates
hominids from other primates is
bipedalism walking up right on two
feet
10.
11. Hominids Through Time
Scientists have named at least 18
types of hominids
Earliest hominids
Ability to walk upright, smaller teeth,
flatter faces, larger brains that earlier
primates
Oldest hominid fossils have been found
in Africa
12. Australopithecines
Members of this
group were
similar to apes
but different in
several ways
Some may have
used stone tools
Climbed trees,
but walked on
two legs
13. Variety of Early Hominids
Global Hominids
About 2.3 million years ago, new group of
hominids appeared
Larger and more complex brains, rounder
skulls, and flatter faces that earlier
hominids
Showed advanced tool-making abilities
Walked upright
14. Members of group
Homo, which includes
modern humans (Homo
Sapiens)
Early member of this
group was Homo
hablis, which lived 2
million year ago
Homo erectus appeared
a million years later and
grew as tall as modern
humans
15.
16. Recent Hominids
As recently as 30,000 years ago, two
types of hominids may have lived in the
same areas at the same time
Both had largest brains of any hominid
More advanced tools, clothing, and art
Modern humans may have descended
from one of these two types of hominids
17. Neanderthals
Lived in Europe and
western Asia
Hunted large animals,
made fires, and wore
clothing
Disappeared 30,000
years ago and no one
knows what caused
their extinction
18. Early and Modern
Humans
Modern humans
are classified as
Homo sapiens
Earliest group
existed in Africa
Of all known
hominids, only
Homo sapiens exist
Seem to be the
first to create art