2. Human Evolution
2. Human Evolution
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Explain evolution and identify the key characteristics of human evolution
Explain evolution and identify the key characteristics of human evolution
History has played a significant role in studying and learning how our human race evolved over time. This lesson will help us understand the meaning of evolution.
Fig 2.1: Growth and development of a human
You are now in Grade 4. You have grown taller, your speech has improved, and you can do many things on your own. You have grown physically and mentally. Similarly, the story of early humans is the story of their gradual growth and development. The development of humans over thousands of years from simpler forms to more advanced forms is called evolution. People who lived on Earth thousands of years ago are known as ‘early humans.’
1. The story of human evolution
A very long time ago, there were no humans on the planet earth. Many studies and evidence show that the first humans evolved in Africa. Before humans existed, there were creatures called ‘primates’ that looked like monkeys and apes. These primates lived in trees, had long arms, and short legs. They looked different from us!1
Fig 2.2: Primates
Some of these primates started to change and adapt to the environment around them in order to survive. Over time, these ancestors developed unique characteristics that distinguished them from other animals.
a. Bipedalism
Fig 2.3: Turning Bipedal
One significant development was the ability to walk on two legs, known as bipedalism. Unlike most animals that walk on all four legs, humans can stand and move using only two legs. Our bodies have evolved specific features to support bipedalism. Our spines have special curves that help us balance when we walk upright. Our hips and leg bones are shaped to give us stability and support while walking. This adaptation allowed them to free their hands for other tasks and greatly influenced their way of life.2
b. Brain size
Early humans’ brains grew bigger over time during the process of evolution. Our early human ancestors had smaller brains compared to modern humans, but over time, our brain size gradually increased. The evolution of brain size is closely connected to the ability to think in advanced ways and behave more intelligently. As our brains grew larger, early humans gained the capacity for more advanced thinking, problem-solving, communication, and social interactions.3
Fig 2.4 Evolution of brain
The connection between bipedalism and brain size highlights how human evolution is a complex process. These changes helped shape humans into intelligent and adaptable beings.3
So, human evolution is the story of how humans have changed and adapted over millions of years to become the amazing beings we are today.
Glossary
migrate: to travel from one part of the world to another
characteristics: a quality that is typical of somebody/something and that makes him/her/it different from other people or things
spine: the backbone of our body, which helps us stand upright and supports our movement
social interactions: the ways in which people communicate and connect with each other
complex thinking: the ability to think in more advanced ways, solve problems, and understand new ideas.
adapt: to become familiar or adjust with a new situation and to change your behaviour accordingly
Summary:
The development of humans over thousands of years from early form to more advanced form is called evolution.
The human ability to walk on two legs, known as bipedalism.
Our early human ancestors had smaller brains compared to modern humans, but over time, our brain size gradually increased.
The connection between bipedalism and brain size highlights how human evolution is a complex process.
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