LessonOverview-AkronCentralSchools.ppt

Hominine Evolution Hominines evolved the ability to walk upright, grasping thumbs, and large brains. The skull, neck, spinal column, hip bones, and leg bones of early hominine species changed shape in ways that enabled later species to walk upright. Hominine Evolution This figure shows some ways in which the skeletons of modern humans differ from those of hominoids such as gorillas. Hominine Evolution The evolution of bipedal, or two-footed, locomotion was very important, because it freed both hands to use tools. The hominine hand evolved an opposable thumb that could touch the tips of the fingers, enabling the grasping of objects and the use of tools. Hominine Evolution Hominines evolved much larger brains. Most of the difference in brain size results from an expanded cerebrum, which is, as you recall, the “thinking” part of the brain. New Findings and New Questions The study of human ancestors is exciting and constantly changing. Recent discoveries in Africa have doubled the number of known hominine species and the length of the known hominine fossil record. These data have enhanced the picture of our species’ past, but questions still remain as to how fossil hominines are related to one another—and to humans. Relatives Versus Ancestors The hominine fossil record includes seven genera—Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Paranthropus, Kenyanthropus, and Homo—and at least 20 species. All these species are relatives of modern humans, but not all of them are human ancestors. Relatives Versus Ancestors The Oldest Hominine? In 2002, paleontologists in Africa discovered a fossil skull roughly 7 million years old. This fossil, called Sahelanthropus, is a million years older than any known hominine. The Oldest Hominine? Sahelanthropus had a brain about the size of a modern chimp, but its short, broad face was more like that of a human. Scientists are still debating whether this fossil represents a hominine. Austr