Human evolution began with early bipedal apes in Africa between 5-7 million years ago. Key early species included Australopithecus, which exhibited traits of both apes and humans. Around 2 million years ago, Homo habilis emerged with increased brain size and the ability to make basic stone tools, suggesting more advanced cognition. Bipedalism was a major development, freeing the hands for tasks while making locomotion more efficient. Overall, the document traces major trends in human evolution from early apes to Homo habilis, including the emergence of bipedalism and tool use.

1. KHANYISILE MBATHA
201214202

2. Human evolution defined
 human
evolution, the process by
which human beings developed on
Earth from now-extinct primates.
Viewed zoologically, we humans
are Homo sapiens, a culture-bearing,
upright-walking species that lives on
the ground and first evolved in Africa
between 100,000 and 200,000 years
ago.

3. 
We are now the only living members of what many
zoologists refer to as the human tribe, Hominini, but
there is abundant fossil evidence to indicate that we
were preceded for millions of years by other hominins,
such as Australopithecus, and that our species also
lived for a time contemporaneously with at least one
other member of
our genus, Homo neanderthalensis (the Neanderthal).
 In addition, we and our predecessors have always
share

4.  Trends
in human biological and
cultural evolution will be selected
from:
-Early changes exhibited from early bipedals
apes also comparison with living apes.

5. HUMAN EVOLUTION

6. AUSTRAPITHECINES
These
were the first pre-
known humans.
Various
species were found
in Africa.

7. Australopithecus

8. Australopithecus continued
The term australopithecine refers
generally to any species in the
related genera of Australopithecus
and Paranthropus. It may also include
members of Kenyanthropus
Ardipithecus and Praeanthropus.

9. The term comes from a former
classification as members of a distinct
subfamily, the Australopithecine. They are
now classified by some within
the Australopithecine sub-tribe of
the Homininitribe.

10. 
Members of australopithecus are
sometimes referred to as the ‘gracile
australopithecines’ while paranthropus
are called ‘robust australopithecine’

11. Many
theories exist
regarding the human
evolution.

12. Bipedalism
was the most important event in
human evolution because it freed
up the hands.
The large brain was able to take
advantage of this opportunity.
All primates have an upright
posture.

13. Advantages of Bipedalism
More energy-efficient at walking
speed than knuckle walking.
Also generates less heat.

14. 
Freed up hands for carrying offspring,
food and tools.

15. Advantages of Bipedalism con…

16. Continued…
 Keeps
body cool with less direct
surface area exposed to the sun
and greater air flow in drier air to
increase sweat evaporation

17. Adv…continued
 Gave
greater height for easier
detection of food and predators.
Upright stance may be more
intimidating

18. Homohabilis
 Rounded
skull still with brow ridges.
Some development of Broca’s region
suggesting language.
 Small
jaw, incisors and canines
suggesting an omnivorous diet.

19. Homohabilis

20. 
1.5 - 2.4mya in eastern Africa

Cranial volume 500 – 650cc

1 – 1.3m tall.

Made stone and bone Oldowan tools.

Some evidence of cooperative hunting
and scavenging for food.

21. To be continued