anthropology, human evolution

anthropology , human evolution

Evolution as Darwin put it is survival of the fittest . It is the genetic change in a species as it moves forward in time . The change is carried out by offspring inheriting the characteristics of their progenitors The fit organisms are the ones more capable of passing on their genetic material that provided them with slight genotypic advantages unto the next generations . The general rule is from simple organisms that are adapted to complex one that are more adapted to a given niche and habitat . In hominids , the adaptation

was for a varied environment , where man can be more versatile in different situations . This is aided by general trends like an increase in brain size , anatomical adaptations for communication , and sensory adaptations like eye and ear location

The location of where the skull meets the spinal column determines the organisms ' posture . In the case of a biped , the connection of the spinal column is located somewhere below the skull base , at perpendicular with the jaw . This means that the skull was vertical to the spine . Bipedalism enables the organism to accommodate to various terrain and activities It is easier to swith from climbing trees to moving on the ground , to swimming , or to climbing vertical fronts like mountains . Bipedalism enables the organism to see more , since they are elevated . Their sensory organs are located at a height , making sensory reception easier . With the advent of bipedalism also came more uses for the hands . It can now be used to interact with other species and establish a defined social hierarchy , as in the case of lice getting . Free hands also enable the process of creation of tools and weapons that begets a social culture

A set of hominid footprints found in Laetoli ,Tanzania is called Lateoli footprints , said to be made by A . afarensis . The footprints looked to be made by three individuals , of which only of two are fully visible They showed an organism walking bipedally , at a leisurely gait . The footprints also showed the presence of an arch , characteristic of modern humans .The first thing that indicates evidence of bipedalism is the pelvic and leg structre of an organism . A .afarensis contains many anatomical features that support bipedalism Its pelvis is like that of modern humans . Its femur is angled towards the knee , maiking the location of the foot in line with the center of the pelvis . This means that to maintain a center of gravity , the species must be upright . The toes are also incapable of grasping , and the ankle joint s like that of modern day humans . A . afarensis was characterized by having a low forehead , a bony protrusion over the eyes and a flat nose . Their jaw was between the jaw shapes of an ape and a human . The teeth was human like but having more prominent canines . The size difference between sexes was considerable , with males much larger than the females . The teeth structure suggests an omnoivore diet much like that of...