Human evolution

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Human evolution, or anthropogenesis, is the part of biological evolution concerning the emergence of Homo sapiens as a distinct species from other hominins, great apes and placental mammals. It is the subject of a broad scientific inquiry that seeks to understand and describe how this change occurred. The study of human evolution encompasses many scientific disciplines, most notably physical anthropology, primatology, archaeology, linguistics and genetics.

The term "human", in the context of human evolution, refers to the genus Homo, but studies of human evolution usually include other hominins, such as the Australopithecines. The Homo genus diverged from the Australopithecines about 2 million years ago in Africa. Scientists have estimated that humans branched off from their common ancestor with chimpanzees—the only other living homininis—about 5–7 million years ago. Several species of Homo evolved that are now extinct. These include Homo erectus, which inhabited Asia, and Homo neanderthalensis, which inhabited Europe.

Archaic Homo sapiens evolved between 400,000 and 250,000 years ago. The dominant view among scientists is the recent African origin of modern humans (RAO) that H. sapiens evolved in Africa and spread across the globe, replacing populations of H. erectus and H. neanderthalensis. Scientists supporting the alternative hypothesis on the multiregional evolution (ME) view modern humans as having evolved as a single, widespread population from existing Homo species, particularly H. erectus. The fossil evidence is insufficient to resolve this vigorous debate,. Studies of haplogroups in Y-chromosomal DNA and mitochondrial DNA have largely supported a recent African origin, while some researchers argue that evidence from nuclear genes supports a multiregional origin.

For more information about Human evolution, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with human origins

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The peopling of the Americas: Genetic ancestry influences health

Biology / Evolution

created Aug 14, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (7) | comments 5

At one time or another most of us wonder where we came from, where our parents or grandparents and their parents came from. Did our ancestors come from Europe or Asia? As curious as we are about our ancestors, for practical ...


A group of orphaned Orangutans sit in a cage at the Wanariset Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

Humans related to orangutans, not chimps

Biology / Evolution

created Jun 18, 2009 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (22) | comments 13

New evidence underscores the theory of human origin that suggests humans most likely share a common ancestor with orangutans, according to research from the University of Pittsburgh and the Buffalo Museum of ...


Model head of a Neanderthal man.

Did modern humans eat Neanderthals?

Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils

created May 18, 2009 | popularity 3.4 / 5 (15) | comments 7

Modern humans may have eaten Neanderthals, scientists report in the Journal of Anthropological Sciences this month.


'Peking Man' older than thought; somehow adapted to cold

'Peking Man' older than thought; somehow adapted to cold

Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils

created Mar 11, 2009 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (11) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new dating method has found that "Peking Man" is around 200,000 years older than previously thought, suggesting he somehow adapted to the cold of a mild glacial period.


3-D Face

Mixed population provides insights into human genetic makeup

Biology /

created Feb 14, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Genetic diseases and genetically mixed populations can help researchers understand human diversity and human origins according to a Penn State physical anthropologist.