This document provides an introduction to human evolution. It begins by outlining why teaching evolution is important, then defines evolution and discusses key figures like Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace. It explains that humans evolved from primate ancestors approximately 12 million years ago, with the hominin lineage evolving to walk upright on two legs. Key stages in human evolution included Homo erectus, and later the emergence of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, with Homo sapiens eventually becoming dominant. Evolutionary features like tool use and control of fire are noted. The document concludes with a brief discussion of human migration.

1. Introduction
to
human evolution
Basics about human origins
Paul M. Matondo

2. Outline
► Why is it important to teach evolution ?
► What is evolution ?
► How did Humans evolve?

3. Why is it important to
teach evolution ?
►Understanding evolution is critical for understanding
biology (Theodosius Dobzhansky )
► Understanding evolution is also central to the
advancement of medicine
https://www.faseb.org/portals/2/PDFs/opa/Why%20is%
20it%20important%20to%20teach%20evolution.pdf
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
► Research in Evolutionary biology has influenced numerous
other scientific and industrial fields, including agriculture
and computer science
Theodosius Dobzhansky

4. What is evolution ?
► Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics
of biological populations over successive generations.
(National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2016)
► Before Charles Robert Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
Haig, David (2007). "Weismann Rules! OK?
Epigenetics and the Lamarckian temptation". Biology
and Philosophy. 22 (3): 415–428. doi:10.1007/s10539-
006-9033-y
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck
■ Transmutation theory. 1809,

5. What is evolution ?
► After Charles Darwin and Alfred Russell Wallace
Modern synthesis of Evolutionary Biology
(Theodosius Dobzhansky and Co)
Modern synthesis
► Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace
■ “On the Tendency of Species to form Varieties; and on the
Perpetuation of Varieties and Species by Natural Means
of Selection”, 1858
■ “On the Origin of Species”, 1859
■ “Descent of Man”, 1871
C. Darwin A. Wallace
Developmental Biology. 6th edition.
Gilbert SF, Sinauer Associates; 2000
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK10128/.

6. How did Humans evolve?
► Primates (mammals)
■ About twelve (12) million years ago, the
ancestral primate lineage split through
from one common ancestor into two
major groups
■ These two lineages evolved separately
to become the variety of species we
see today.
Family Tree
Human evolution - Understanding Evolution
https://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/side_0_
0/humanevo_01

7. How did Humans evolve?
Family Tree, Homo and Chimpanzee
► Primates (mammals)
■ Members of one group were the early
version of what we know today as
the great apes
(gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutan).
■ The other group evolved in a different way.
From being quadrupeds they evolved to
bipeds, meaning they move around on their
two back legs : The Hominins

8. How did Humans evolve?
Evolutionary features

9. How did Humans evolve?
Evolutionary features

10. How did Humans evolve?
Evolutionary features

12. ► Humans took approximately 7
million years to evolve into the
modern humans we are today
► All bipedal human ancestors
are called HOMINIDS few of
them are HOMININs

13. After the homo erectus, 2 species emerge
simultaneously. Eventually, the species called
HOMO SAPIEN became dominant and the
NEANDERTHAL died out.

14. Tools and Fire
Evolutionary features

15. Humanity Today
Migration
Thank you !

16. Further Reading
1. humanorigins.si.edu/education/introduction-human-evolution
2. kids.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frym.2019.00022
3. youtube.com/watch?v=ehV-MmuvVMU
4. evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/home.php