How Did Man Get Started?
When you look at yourself, you are also looking at a creature that is at the top of more than four billion years of earth's evolution. Of all the creatures, our species has the most trails.
We can walk on two legs, use our hands in countless ways, and most of all, have the most advanced emotions and thoughts. How did we acquire these qualities that helped us conquer the whole world? How did you, me and the seven billion individuals in the world become human?
There have been many stories about the origin of man. Almost every culture seems to have its own version. It is only natural for us to know our origin. In this article you will find the science version about the origin of us all.
It all started when we stood on our two feet, or to be bipedal, here at the origin of all the people in the world, Africa. A few million years ago, Africa underwent extreme climate change. The forest is thinning and the trees are far apart.
It is said that bipedalism is the adaptation of our ancestors to reach the fruits of the lower branches, or to look up at the tall grasses. But one of the biggest advantages of bipedalism is energy conservation.
Walking on two legs does not consume more energy than walking on four. It became easier for our ancestors to walk on the grass and move around in the distant trees. It is believed that the earliest maker was Sahelanthropus, who lived seven million years ago.
Being bipedal has caused great changes in our body. Our arms are shortened, the spine is S-shaped, and the waist is narrowed. In other words, we have become sexy and athletic. From the descent of the trees our ancestors occupied the vast plains of Africa. We are designed to run and walk long distances.
But being away from the shadows and staying in the sunlight gives intense heat to the body. This includes raising the temperature from the purchase of our movement. Because of this, the ancient people needed an effective cooling system. Some mammals do this with the help of panties, just as our pet dogs do.
Our ancestors cooled not with the hanging of the tongue but with the help of sweating. With the help of sweat, excess body heat also evaporates into the air. In addition, the evolution of hair reduces our body so as to speed up this process. Sweat does not dry out easily when we are covered with feathers.
This is why we have become so smooth.
By walking on both feet, our arms became free. And this paves the way for us to create and manipulate nature.
Our hands began to evolve as our ancestors learned to make and use tools. It is insane to think that all technology today started with simple stones.
Lifting and handling things is not that easy. It requires grip and pressure. Here, on the other hand, our thumb gradually developed and grew. And this is what made our jobs. Compared to chimpanzees and gorillas, our thumb is much larger. If lions and hyenas have sharp teeth and claws, we have the ability to make and use spears and knives. Here our ancestors had an advantage over the harsh environment of Africa.
It is believed that the first inventor of tools was Homo Habilis who lived more than two million years ago. But molding hard rock and the way it is used not only requires thumb and dexterity, it also requires intense imagination and concentration. And here our brain evolved even more.
Every time our ancestors molded complex objects, their minds became sharper. And the more they sharpen their minds, the more complex the things they do. So with the advancement of stone tools, at the same time our ancestors became smarter.
But like muscle, the brain also grows when used consistently. The brain size of the ancient people increased over time. As a result, their skulls need to catch up with the growth in order to protect it.
It is here that our heads literally grow and are separated from the appearance of our monkey cousins. But the problem is, having a big head has a substitute. The big brain has a huge demand for energy. The mind eats a lot of calories.
Our ancestors needed plenty of food, something that was hard to come by in a harsh environment. But a blessing fell from heaven, they discovered the use of fire. Cooking in particular. Aside from enhancing the flavor, cooking also softens the food.
As a result, meat and vegetables are eaten faster and our body can digest them more easily. This is where nature solves our huge energy demand. As a result of cooking, our teeth and digestive system shrink.
Homo Erectus is said to be the first to use fire. They lived less than two million years ago. As our ancestors changed the way they ate, the way they interacted with each other also changed. Hunting and scavange pushed for stronger cooperation and dependence on one another.
And because of the cooking, they had more time to socialize with their group members. Here we started as a social organism. To be a social being, we need an exchange of interaction with others. We need to understand the thoughts and feelings of those around us, and they in turn. In other words, we need communication. Our ancestors were able to pass on their meaning with the help of body movements and above all, language.
So far no one was able to send in the perfect solution, which is not strange. Homo Heidelbergensis, the direct ancestor of homo sapiens, is believed to have been the first to utter words.
According to anthropologists, our closest Neanderthals are as fluent as modern humans. By using language, our ancestors could easily describe what they wanted to convey to others. Things we still carry to this day.
In the middle of the hunt, it is important to have a non-disturbing contact with the catch. The use of signals using the body is important. If you notice, only the human eye has white around the eyeball. That is so that others can easily see the direction we are staring at.
Eye contact is a great help to inform and find out what the person is thinking. Facial expressions such as sadness, anger, hurt, and happiness have greatly helped to express our feelings. Something that is important in building and maintaining the social relationship of our ancestors.
Being part of a social group is complicated. Each individual needs to be accepted by his or her companions. Moreover, he also needs to know and have a place in his tribe. Being unable to get along and be pleasant is at risk of being hurt and alone in a violent environment.
Our ancestors were forced to think of ways to be more sociable. And this is where our basic social traits such as giving favors, complimenting and helping are formed. It is bad to say, this is also where we learned to lie, politicize and insult others.
All kinds of social interaction require tremendous brain power and this is what accelerates the evolution of our brain. Here it finally became modern. But having a big brain has big side effects. Especially with women. Because bipedalism narrows our pelvic bone, carrying a baby in the womb and giving birth has become very difficult and painful for mothers.
Even before the fetus is fully grown and matured, it needs to be born prematurely so that its large head fits into the woman's small vagina. So the effect, every person in the world has to be born premature. Unlike animals in which offspring can move and walk easily at birth, our babies are fragile and helpless.
In addition, it takes about two decades for a child's mind and body to fully mature. At that time, they needed intense care and vigilance. And here begins the concept of monogamy and complete family.
Having two parents instead of one, gives the child a higher survival rate. It is also said that human life is longer than normal so that grandparents can also take care of their grandchildren.
Two hundred years ago, the modern human species, the Homo Sapiens, emerged. As other human species became extinct one by one, we left Africa and went to all corners of the globe.
We have become experts in the ability that evolution has given us. To adapt to all kinds of environments. We have conquered the whole world. We are shaped by the relentless change of violent nature.
We are not just designed to live. We are designed to improve and pass on this improvement to the next generation
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