Human Biocultural and Social Evolution

Human Biocultural and Social
Evolution, Understanding
Culture, Society, and Politics
Biological Evolution of
Man & Cultural evolution
Biological Evolution of Man
•The biological evolution of man refers to the
long evolutionary history of the human species
from primates to its current form, the Homo
sapiens. Evolution is not an overnight
phenomenon. It took millions of years to end up
with the specific set of biological traits that
humanity presently has. In this lesson, the
origin, factors, and developments involved in
this evolutionary process will be discussed.
The Meaning and Significance of
Human Evolution
• Evolution is the process of developing physical and
biological change in a species over a period of time.
Natural changes and events forced species to adapt
to the environment while some faced extinction for
being unable to do so. In this case, modern humans,
belonging to the genus Homo, are seen as by-
products of events and processes that occurred in
the past.
•Human evolution, however, must not be
seen as a linear process. Scientists
argued that human evolution developed
much like the branches of a tree wherein
each branch extends into smaller, more
specific stems. It just so happened that
among all stems, only one evolutionary
profile—the current human being—was
able to adapt and further develop.
The Transition from Early to
Modern Humans
• The biological transition of humans from its
earliest state to its current physical and
biological makeup took millions of years to
complete. Despite this, scientists, through the
help of archaeological pieces of evidence and
modern technology, were able to identify and
distinguish distinct transitional stages of human
evolution. These stages are described below.
Homo habilis (2.5 to 1.4 million years ago
• it developed bipedalism or the ability
to walk upright.
• It has a brain size was estimated to be
35% larger than the Australopithecus
africanus
• It had similar teeth compared to
australopithecines, the close relative
species of humans.
• Its diet included a variety of plants
and meat.
Homo erectus (1.9
million years ago)
• It further enchanced bipedal activities.
• It was characterized by strong muscles at the back of the
neck, shallow forehead, and elongated brain case.
• Its diet included an increased consumption of meat.
• It’s body proportions closely reassemble the modern
human’s (short arms and long legs)
Homo sapiens (400,000 years
ago to present)
The Significance of Artifactual Evidences in
Understanding Evolution
• Artifactual evidences are the only source of
knowledge in understanding the lifestyle and the
developments that occurred in each transitional stage
of human evolution. Early human species were
discovered through fossils which are remains
preserved in rock. Scientists study the structure, shape,
and development of skeletal properties including head
shape and teeth to determine biological differences
across early to modern species.
•Artifactual evidences can also include tools
that are used for hunting and gathering or
symbolic writing found in caves. As
mentioned previously, these were used by
the Homo erectus, though scientists are still
hoping to find further evolutionary data on
other species. Below are some authentic
examples of artifactual evidences that
greatly contributed in understanding
human evolution.
• An antelope leg bone with cut marks was recently
discovered in Africa. This prehistoric tool served
as evidence for early hunting practices and
carnivorous diet among early stone-tool making
humans, the Oldowan hominin.
• A cave discovered in South Africa filled with
carbonized leaves and grasses made archaeologists
believe that cooking food was practiced among
early humans.
Appreciating the Past through the Present
• It is important for modern humans to learn about
their origins and developments. Nowadays,
technological advances has made delving into the
past more accessible. Interactive and national
museums, for example, make great venues for
learning more about the prehistoric past. The great
biological evolution that the human species has
been through is complex and developmental. As
human beings, we are called to understand and
appreciate these advances.
What is Cultural Evolution?
•Cultural evolution explains the changes in
the beliefs, knowledge, customs, skills,
attitudes, and languages of humans over
time. It proposes that as humans transform
themselves, their culture becomes
progressively complex due to social,
environmental, and biological factors.
• The cultural evolution of early humans can be traced
back to the beginning of the Stone Age when they started
creating and using tools made out of stones. This is the
earliest known period of human culture which started
roughly 2-3 million years ago and ended around 6000
and 3000 BCE. This period is also known as
the prehistoric period because writing was not yet
invented during this time. It is divided into three separate
periods:
• Old Stone Age (Paleolithic),
• Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic), and
• New Stone Age (Neolithic).
Paleolithic Period
•The Paleolithic period is the first phase of
the Stone Age. This period started the
creation and use of crude stone tools which
are the most primitive among the three
periods. The word "paleolithic" is derived
from the Greek words palaios (old)
and lithos(stone) to collectively mean "old
stone age."
•The early humans who existed during this
period showed their skills with fire and
stones that changed their diet and food
consumption. Hunting and fishing were the
primary activities of the early humans
during the Paleolithic period. They also had
their religious rituals based on nature and
developed their own language based on
sounds and hand signals.
Mesolithic Period
•The Mesolithic period is the second phase of
the Stone Age. It was considered as the
transition period between the Paleolithic and
Neolithic periods. The word "mesolithic" is
derived from the Greek
words mesos (middle) and lithos (stone) that
collectively mean "middle stone age."
•Early humans during this period
gradually domesticated plants and
animals. They also started to form their
own settlements and communities.
Hunting, fishing, and food gathering
were the primary activities of the early
humans. They also started to use
microliths or smaller and more delicate
stone tools.
Neolithic Period
• The word "neolithic" was derived from the Ancient Greek
words neos (new) and lithos (stone) that collective translates to
"new stone age."
• The Neolithic period started during the last phase of the Stone Age
and at this point, modern humans started to exist. From being food
gatherers, they became food producers and introduced the concept
of farming. They also became herders from being hunters during
the Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods. They crafted better stone
tools and invented the axe. Pots and jars were evident during this
period which served as their food containers and storage. Modern
humans also formed their permanent homes and started to have
their own tribes and villages.

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