BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL EVOLUTION

BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

 Refers to the changes, modification and variations in the genetics and inherited traits of
biological population from one generation to another.
 In studying biological evolution, scientists study the changes in the physical body of
humans, the changes in the shape and sizes of their bones, brain, dentition and fingers.
 Scientists also include the study in the changes of posture, movement, and the development
of bipedalism (walking on the two feet in an upright position).

Natural Selection

 Introduced by Charles Darwin (1809-1882), a famous English naturalist and geologist,

where he believed that it is the reason of the occurrence of evolution.
 “[It is the] outcome of processes that affect the frequencies of traits in a particular
environment. Traits that enhance survival and reproductive success increase in frequency
over time.” (Ember et. al, 2002)
 According to Darwin, the environment favors certain organisms and that organisms that
survive can pass on their traits.
 It has three (3) important principles: variation, heritability, and differential reproductive
success.

Darwin’s Natural Selection hypothesized that:

1. Every species is made up of variety of individuals wherein some are better made
adapted to their environment compared to others.
2. Organisms produce progeny with different set of traits that can be inherited.
3. Organisms that have traits most suitable to their environment will survive and transfer
these variation to their offspring in subsequent generation.

CULTURAL EVOLUTION (SOCIO- CULTURAL EVOLUTION)

  Refers to the changes or development in cultures in a simple form to a more complex form
of human culture.
 This happens as a result of human adaptation to different factors like climatic changes and
population increase.
 Scientist study the cultural evolution by analyzing the changes in the humans’ way of life
based on the tools or man-made objects that they have used.

FROM HOMONIDS TO HOMO SAPIENS SAPIENS:

THE BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL EVOLUTION OF

MODERN HUMANS

 Scientists believed that the evolution of modern humans follows an evolutionary ladder-
illustrates the apelike ancestors at the base and the modern humans (homo sapiens) at the
top.
 The transformation from apelike ancestors to modern humans occurred after a millions of
years of biological and cultural evolution.
 Archeologists or social scientists study the ancient and recent past of humans to understand
their development. They conduct excavations to search for fossils and artifacts that can
provide information about the origins of human.
 For archaeologists, artifact and fossils are important source of information in the
reconstruction of human evolution.

Fossils refers to the human, plant and animal remains that have been preserved through time.
Examples include human or animal teeth, skull and bone fragments.

Artifact refers to objects that were made and used by humans. Examples are stone and metal
tools, ceramics, burial jars and ornaments.
HOMONID

 A general term used by scientists to categorize the group of early humans and other
humanlike creatures that can walk erect during the pre-historic times.

FOUR CATEGORIES OF HOMONIDS

1. SAHELANTHROPOS
Based on the fossil evidence, the first hominid came from the lineage of
Sahelanthropus tchadensis species (6-7 million years ago).

Characteristics:
- Had both apelike and humanlike characteristics;
- A skull similar to Australopithecus and modern human;
- Height almost similar to chimpanzee;
- Brain size of about 320- 380 cubic centimeter;
- Small teeth similar to other hominids; and
- The ability to walk upright

2. ARDIPITHECUS

Two Species

1. Ardipithecus kadabba (5.6 million years ago)

2. Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 million years ago) - where ardipithecus means

“ape on the ground” and ramidus means “root”.

Characteristics:

- Height of about 4 feet - Biped (walks on two legs or feet)

- Weight of about 120 pounds - Lived in jungles and forests like the
- Skull size similar to an ape chimpanzees
- Small brain
3. AUSTRALOPITHECUS

Australopithecus or the “southern ape” was the next group of hominids. They lived in
African jungle from 1 million to 5 million years ago.

Characteristics:

- Brain weight of 500 cubic centimeters (cc) or almost one-third of the size of the modern
human brain
- Upright and biped
- Tool users only and not tool makers
- Used sticks and stones for digging
- Lived in small social groups
- Distance of movement was estimated to be 15 kilometers (9.3 miles)
- Food scavengers
- Ate insects, eggs, plants, fruits and meat

Two Major Categories of Australopithecus

1. Gracile Australopithecine – had small teeth and jaw

 Australopithecus Anamensis
 Australopithecus Afarensis
 Australopithecus Africanus

2. Robust Australopithecus – had large teeth, jaw and muscular built

 Australopithecus Aethipicus
 Australopithecus Robustus
 Australopithecus Boisei
4. HOMO

Homo are classified as humans and not humanlike creatures because they had bigger brains
and were bipedal. According to the fossil evidences, the Homo first lived in Africa about 2.4
million years ago.

Species of Homo

● Homo habilis (handy man)

Some scholars believe that homo habilis was the direct ancestor of the modern human
because of its ability to produce tools.

Characteristics:

- Height about 3 to 4 feet

- Brain size half the size of the modern human (700 cc)
- Made tools called Oldowan which were used as cutting tool and was made from volcanic
stones
- Used tools for hunting and food gathering

● Homo erectus (upright man)

Estimated to have live from 1.8 million to 300, 000 years ago. It is believed to be more
intelligent and more adaptable compared to Homo habilis. They are known for making tools used
for cutting, digging and scraping.

Based on the artifacts excavated, the Homo erectus was the first Homo specie to use fires
and to live in caves and small houses made of tree branches. It was also believed that they were
the first to use spoken language.

Homo erectus fossil was discovered in Africa. Later, Homo erectus started to travel
outside African continent and reached as far as Asia and Southern Europe. They are also
regarded as the first Homo specie to live and survive in Asia.

Characteristics:

- Brain size of 1, 000 cc - Walks upright

- Height of about 5 feet
Fossil Evidences of Homo erectus:

 Based on archaeological evidences, the first fossil of Homo erectus in Asia was found in
Loggupo Cave in China. The fossil was estimated to have lived about 1.9 million years
ago.
 A fossil excavated in Java, Indonesia by Eugene Dubois (1848-1940), a Dutch anatomist
and geologist. The fossil became known as Java Man and was dated to be 1.8 million
years of age.
 In 1920, Homo erectus skull was excavated in a cave in Zhoukoudian, China. This
became known as Peking Man.

● Homo sapiens (wise man)

Considered as modern humans because their physical anatomy was very similar to the
modern human beings.

Characteristics:

- Large brain size (1 400 cc) that is almost similar to the brain of modern human being
- Lived in shelters
- Food gatherers
- Ate plants and fruits
- Hunted animals
- Used fires
- Crafted metals