The Human Evolution
The history of the origins of humankind remains a paradox. Numerous theories have been advanced to explain the existence of humanity. Each culture and ethnic groups have different distinct believes about their origin. Also, different religions have different beliefs that define the presence of human beings. The religions associate the cradle of humankind to a Supreme Being and deity that controls all the humans’ functionality. However, scientists believe that humankind originated from the process of evolution. Evolution refers to the process of a gradual change from one being to another over a long period (Hetherington, n.p). Charles Darwin, one of the scientists, was the first person to propose the evolutionary process. The theory explained the gradual changes that human beings have undergone over a significant period to the current status of human beings on earth. Scientists believe that the evolution process began over many millions of years ago when they discovered the first fossil of a fish that had no jaws. Scientists over the years have produced evidence to explain the evolution process in mammals and other groups of animals. The study of genetics aided scientists in studying fossils in terms of age, sex, and anatomy. The process of evolution naturally eliminated species with the weak genetic competition, and only the healthy species with adaptation features to survive through harsh changes in the environment were retained in the path. This paper will explain the evolution process of human beings.
The beginning of the human race, living things, and all the other creatures was a challenge for scientists through many years of research. Most scientists believed the existence of supernatural powers that were in control of the life of the earth and the ecosystem. They thought that the supreme deity created the world and all that the world has in it, and the belief perceived the world is a static place. During the 18th century, a scientist, Linnaeus, began the hierarchical arrangement of living things, which was the start of the evolutionary process and study on the universe. With the quest to understand the evolutionary process, Jean De Monet, a French scientist, came up with a new theory in 1809 (Cochran, Gregory & Henry, p.58). His theory explained the inherent traits and characteristics are adaptable for survival tactics. For instance, the fossil for giraffe’s ancestors had a short neck. Still, due to the increased food competition in the universe, the neck had to stretch and lengthen to enable giraffes to reach out for herbs and vegetation up and above higher heights compared to other animals. Therefore, the long neck has been inherited since then by the giraffes down the hierarchy of its descendants. Living things with time experienced some changes in response to the prevailing environmental factors to boost their survival tactics. The theory was, however, discredited as it explained that evolution is a process of change from simple to sophisticated features but did not explain how. Though the theory was discredited, the doctrine set the basis for other scientists to explain the evolutionary process. Among many scientists, the most known evolutionary theory was Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.
Charles Darwin is the most renowned first scientist who expounded well on the evolution process. In 1859, he published a book that explored his extensive research on evolutionary changes (Ruse, p.25). The paper explained that living species had inherited their characteristics and traits from their forefathers, and the process was called descent with modification, also known as evolution. The concept explained the emergence of species. He said that the natural selection process was a form of change that had two dimensions. First, he said that all species are capable of reproducing healthy young ones provided there is shelter, food, and other necessary conditions. Producing many offspring leads to an increased number of species, and therefore, competition for food among them also increases. Each family will have limited access to food and other necessities, and the chance of getting food depends on the ability to compete with the others (Ruse, p.30). Secondly, different individuals of different species have different traits that could be inherent. There are no entirely identical individuals. Scientists have developed skills and technical knowhow of classifying individual species. The theory states that all individuals are struggling for independence in the ecosystem. Individuals with suitable traits and characteristics to cope with the harsh dynamic environment have a higher chance of reproduction than the weaker ones. The adaptability means that these individuals will not only survive, but they will leave behind offspring that will have inherited the outstanding traits.
Human Evolution from Primates
the scientific school of thought believed that humans originated from primates. According to Cochran, Gregory, and Henry (p.58), genetic and physical similarities illustrate that modern humans have a significant connection to another group of primate species, the apes. The modern human has the same traits as apes; for instance, women’s breasts, legs, hands, head, fingers, arms, toes, ear, lips, teeth, and jawline almost identical to those of female apes. The most common apes species are chimpanzees and gorillas who share a common ancestor that existed between six and eight million years ago. The modern human origin can be retraced back to the ape of Africa much evolution occurred in this continent.
Around 10 to 12 million years ago, the primates were categorized into two branches. One category had species leading to the great apes that included the bonobos, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gorillas. On the other hand, were the species that led to the current humans (Leakey, Louis & Vanne, p.51). This division happed due to speciation from a common ancestor into two major lineages. These groups were the early version of the great apes. Thus, modern apes evolved from the first group. Mostly, they stayed behind in the forest with an arboreal lifestyle. Arboreal creatures are beings that live in trees, and they require specific adaptations for them to survive.
Further, these great apes also had a characteristic of being quadrupeds. There is evidence from the fossil records that showed there was a reliable comparison between the DNA of chimpanzees and humans. The comparisons reveal that they both share a common hominid ancestor. The group that led to human beings was the hominins. Hominins are designated species that are most closely connected to humans than the apes.
The hominins evolved in a very different way. This lineage became terrestrial, which means that they could not live in trees but on land. The evolution from primates was influenced by climatic and environmental changes (Cochran, Gregory & Henry, p.61). Similar to the first group, they were quadrupeds, but with time they evolved and became bipeds. Bipeds mean that they move around using their two legs, which were at the back. The savanna hypothesis’s proponents drove this adaptation of biped. At that time, the continent became dry; the savanna and the forest shanks dominated the land. This situation favored this group of primates who were biped. They could stand up and look above the tall grasses to watch for predators. These predators would travel across the continent without any hindrance to the landscape.
Further, around three million years ago, the climatic changes influenced the emergence of the Homo lineage. This emergence was caused by the radical fluctuations between the dry and wet climates. The primates were favored by natural selection. These species could cope with the climatic changes that were always unpredictable. This adaptability defines modern humans. Around three million years ago, the globe was colonized by the ancestors of primates. However, the species had a genetic tendency to collaborate. Thus, the primate group cooperated with rival groups, thus gaining a competitive edge over them. As a result, their genes survived, and their improved cognitive capacities helped them to adapt to new surroundings agilely.
Additionally, this group’s brain evolved and increased in size. Their big sized mind had occupied the most considerable part of their skull. The appearance of the detached ears and large brain increased the survival rates of the species. Another feature was that the species had increased their sense of smell. The sensitivity level was heightened by a tactile sensation that was linked to their minds (Leakey, Louis & Vanne, p.51). They could sense any touch of their skins or any movement around them. This group evolved to the current humans. The hominins had the appearance of detached ears, which were more enhanced than the other group of primates. These ears heightened their capability of hearing anything around them.
In addition to their biped appearance, they had arboreal flexible joints that facilitated their evolution. These flexible joints enabled them to make swift movements to search for water and food. Also, these joints helped them run away from their predators or any approaching risk (Hetherington, n.p). Further, they could swing from one tree to another by grasping their toes tightly, avoiding falling with the help of their front legs, which were the hands. These species used their hands and thumbs to pick and select seeds and fruits, and thus they could not stay hungry. A lot of fossils in Africa were from the genus called Australopithecus.
In conclusion, the cradle of humankind is still debated along with two schools of thought that are religious and scientific. The religious argument is that a supreme being purely created human beings while the scientist front believes in the evolution process. However, the scientific school of thought still is of the idea there is a supreme being. Several theories have been proposed to explain the evolution process using fossil evidence. There is a need for further research and the use of better technology to have in-depth knowledge of the cradle of humankind.
Works Cited
Cela-Conde, Camilo J., and Francisco J. Ayala. Human evolution: trails from the past. Oxford University Press, 2007.
Ciochon, Russell L., and John G. Fleagle. Human Evolution Source Book.Routledge, 2016.
Cochran, Gregory, and Henry Harpending. The 10,000-year explosion: How civilization accelerated human evolution. Basic Books, 2009.
Hetherington, Renée. Living in a dangerous climate: climate change and human evolution.Cambridge University Press, 2012.
Hochberg, Ze’ev. Evo-devo of child growth: treatise on child growth and human evolution. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.
Leakey, Louis Seymour Bazett, and Vanne Morris Goodall. Unveiling Man’s Origins (Routledge Revivals): Ten Decades of Thought About Human Evolution. Routledge, 2014.Rao, Bhanoji. Human Evolution, Economic Progress and Evolutionary Failure.Vol. 166.Taylor & Francis, 2017.
Ruse, Michael. The philosophy of human evolution.Cambridge University Press, 2012.