1) Fossil discoveries have shown that human-like creatures lived hundreds of thousands to millions of years ago, but the exact origins of humans is still unclear. 2) Early hominids such as Sahelanthropus tchadensis from 6.75 million years ago may have been human ancestors or more closely related to other apes. 3) Over millions of years, hominids became more upright, less dependent on trees, developed tools and art, and migrated from Africa to other parts of the world, including Neanderthals who lived in caves. 4) While theories abound, the exact reasons for hominid migrations and developments are unknown.

1. Primates and Human Origins

2. Human Origins Long ago, back when I was beautiful, it was unclear of how humans came to be Fossil discoveries have shown that human-like creatures walked the Earth hundreds of thousands, even millions of years in the past Today, not much has changed. Fossils are still being discovered, but there is no clear answer to the question “Where did we come from?”

3. Human Origins (continued) Hominids such as the skull of this Sahelanthropustchadensis can be traced back to 6.75 million years ago It is disputed to this day whether it is a human ancestor or on to the rest of the Great Apes

4. Human Origins (continued) As time went on, so did the way Hominids lived. They walked more upright, and were less dependent on living their lives in trees Australopithecus were early Hominids from Africa

5. Human Origins (continued) As Hominids grew more advanced over millions of years, they developed artistic abilities and made complex tools and weapons from rocks and bones

6. Human Origins (continued) Great migrations followed, and Hominids found their way out of Africa and into the Middle East, Europe, and eventually America Neanderthals are said to have worn clothing and live in caves

7. Human Origins (continued) It is unknown why Hominids migrated or how they developed the ability to make tools and create art Theories are a dime a dozen, it’s best to find one that makes sense to you just to give you peace of mind. No theory is 100% true, otherwise it would be a fact

8. Primates

9. Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes, and Humans Have you ever thought about the difference between a Monkey, Ape, and Human? To start things off, all Prosimians, Monkeys, Apes, and Humans all belong to the same Order A few distinct differences differ one from the other… Let’s begin

10. Primates Primates have binocular vision, a well-developed cerebrum, relatively long fingers and toes, and arms that can rotate around their shoulder joints

11. Prosimians Lorises, Lemurs, and Tarsiers are all Prosimians They are monkey-like in appearance, but may also resemble felines, rats, or foxes Prosimians are primarily nocturnal insectivores

12. Prosimians (continued) An easy way to tell a Prosimian from the rest of the Primates is that permanent alarmed look they have in their eyes Like this Tarsier, who recently found out he is part of the Critically Endangered Species list

13. Monkeys The main distinction Monkeys have that Apes and Humans lack is a tail

14. Monkeys (continued) The majority of Monkeys live their life in trees and savannas They have an omnivorous diet

15. Apes Apes and Humans lack a tail Great Apes live in savannas and in trees when they are still young Great Apes have omnivorous diets

16. Apes (continued) Great Apes are far too large to live their life in trees when they are adults as opposed to the Lesser Apes who can live their entire life without ever setting foot on land other than to drink water

17. Apes (continued) Lesser Apes are very monkey-like in both appearance and behavior

18. Humans What do humans have that all other Primates don’t? We’re just about hairless and have the ability to use our brain for a variety of things Look around you. Chances are someone once thought, “It’d be nice if there was _____” and built whatever it is you are looking at

19. Humans (continued) Well… most of us have the ability to use our brain for a variety of things. The rest of us often question how or why they have lived this long or gotten this far in life

20. Primates in Popular Media

21. Primates in Popular Media (continued) Come to think of it, add every man, woman, and child that has ever been in film, written books, designed buildings, written music, painted amazing drawings, designed clothing, or sang from now all the way to the days when humans began taking record of these things

22. One more thing… Do not be cruel to other Primates or animals of any kind…

23. One more thing (continued) You never know… Animal Rights may one day grant animals the Right to Bear Arms, and they will remember all those who once did them wrong