Human Evolution Process
A Human Evolution Process is a evolutionary process leading to the emergence of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens).
- Context:
- It can (typically) include the study of genus Homo and its transition from early hominids to modern humans (from their early hominid ancestors over millions of years).
- It can (often) encompass various disciplines such as paleontology, archaeology, genetics, and physical anthropology.
- It can (often) involve the development of specific traits like bipedalism and language to broader evolutionary trends.
- ...
- It can involve the analysis of fossil evidence and genomic data to trace human ancestry and migration patterns.
- It can also explore the genetic diversity within and among human populations, informed by discoveries in ancient DNA research.
- It can (often) intersect with studies of cultural evolution and the role of environmental factors in shaping human evolution.
- It can provide insights into the timeline and geographical spread of early human species, including interactions with other hominids like Neanderthals and Denisovans.
- ...
- Example(s):
- the study of the Out of Africa theory, which posits that modern humans evolved in Africa and migrated outwards to populate the globe.
- research on the interbreeding between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, leading to the presence of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans.
- ...
- Counter-Example(s):
- Primate Evolution, which covers the broader evolutionary history of primates.
- See: Evolution, Anatomically Modern Humans, Homo, Homo Sapiens, Hominid, Archaeology.
References
2017
- (Wikipedia, 2017) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/human_evolution Retrieved:2017-11-25.
- Human evolution is the evolutionary process that led to the emergence of anatomically modern humans, beginning with the evolutionary history of primates – in particular genus Homo – and leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens as a distinct species of the hominid family, the great apes. This process involved the gradual development of traits such as human bipedalism and language.[1]
The study of human evolution involves many scientific disciplines, including physical anthropology, primatology, archaeology, paleontology, neurobiology, ethology, linguistics, evolutionary psychology, embryology and genetics. Genetic studies show that primates diverged from other mammals about , in the Late Cretaceous period, and the earliest fossils appear in the Paleocene, around . Within the Hominoidea (apes) superfamily, the Hominidae family diverged from the Hylobatidae (gibbon) family some 15–20 million years ago; African great apes (subfamily Homininae) diverged from orangutans (Ponginae) about ; the Hominini tribe (humans, Australopithecines and other extinct biped genera, and chimpanzee) parted from the Gorillini tribe (gorillas) between and ; and, in turn, the subtribes Hominina (humans and biped ancestors) and Panina (chimps) separated about to .[2]
- Human evolution is the evolutionary process that led to the emergence of anatomically modern humans, beginning with the evolutionary history of primates – in particular genus Homo – and leading to the emergence of Homo sapiens as a distinct species of the hominid family, the great apes. This process involved the gradual development of traits such as human bipedalism and language.[1]
2018
- (Reich, 2018) ⇒ David Reich. (2018). "Who We Are and How We Got Here: Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past.” Oxford University Press.
- NOTE: It provides a comprehensive exploration of how ancient DNA has revolutionized our understanding of human evolution and the genetic diversity within and among modern populations.