All modern humans are members of the Homo sapiens species. The genus Homo has multiple species, but Homo sapiens is the only one that has not gone extinct. Human evolution can also be found here.
Carolus Linnaeus, the inventor of modern biological categorization, coined the
term Homo sapiens in 1758. Humans have long been acknowledged to have a
closer physical resemblance to primates than any other known living organism.
Humans are defined as H. sapiens, whereas apes are not. Although human
evolution includes all organisms that are more closely related to H. sapiens than to apes, the term human is typically reserved for H. sapiens and other members of the genus Homo.
Evolution
Homo sapiens emerged in Africa 300,000 years ago, at a period of dramatic climatic change. They gathered and hunted food, and evolved habits that helped them react to the problems of life in uncertain circumstances, much like other early people.
Modern humans have enormous brains that differ in size between populations
and between males and females. The jaws of modern humans are likewise less
developed, with smaller teeth.
Physical Features
- Brain - The brains of early Homo sapiens, on the other hand, were somewhat bigger than today’s humans, measuring almost 1500 cubic centimeters.
- Skull - The back of the head is rounded, indicating a weakening of the neck muscles. The face is tiny, with a protruding nasal bone.
- Jaws and Teeth - The jaws are short, resulting in an almost vertical face. The arrangement of teeth within the jaw has been changed by the shorter jaw. In most cases, there is no space between the final molar teeth and the jaw bone.
- Limbs and Pelvis - In comparison to the arms, the legs are somewhat lengthy. The bones of the fingers and toes are straight and devoid of curvature.
Lifestyle
- Culture and Technology - Although it was more evolved than any preceding species, the early Homo sapiens had a rather simple culture. A few African sites about 100,000 years ago show indications of symbolic behavior, although these creative expressions appear to be more of a flash of creativity than a sustained expression.
- Tools - Stone tools developed by Homo sapiens resembled those made by Neanderthals in design, such as flakes, scrapers, and points. Around 250,000 years ago, this technology appeared.
- Use of Fire - Homo sapiens were able to thrive in areas where even the cold-adapted Neanderthals were unable to, because of sophisticated control of fire which included complex hearths, pits, and kilns.
- Clothing and Personal Adornment - Although concrete evidence of clothing only exists for 30,000 years, animal hide clothing may have been worn in colder climates. Specialized equipment, such as needles; clothing adornments, such as buttons and beads; and the bones of animals, such as arctic foxes and wolves, that suggest they were caught for their fur, are among the evidence.
- Settlement - If caves or rock shelters were available, early Homo sapiens inhabited there. Natural shelters have been improved more recently, particularly in the last 20,000 years, with the addition of walls or other basic alterations.
- Environment and Diet - Early modern humans were adapted to living in the tropics, but by 40,000 years ago, they had spread over Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia, occupying a variety of environments.
All Homo sapiens were formerly hunter-gatherers who thrived on plants and animals found in the wild. Humans only began domesticating plants and animals some 11,000 years ago, however wild foods continued to play an important role in the diet.
Written By - Grasha Mittal
Edited By - Vanshu Verma
Social