Modern HumansModern Humans

Homo sapiensHomo sapiens

Origin TheoriesOrigin Theories

EvidenceEvidence

Time LineTime Line

Homo sapiensHomo sapiens(ca. 200 kya…)(ca. 200 kya…)

Fully modern humansFully modern humans Upper Paleolithic tool technologyUpper Paleolithic tool technology Elaborate Cave ArtElaborate Cave Art

Homo sapiens Homo sapiens sites in Europesites in Europe

TransformationTransformation Reduced robusticityReduced robusticity Everything gets smallerEverything gets smaller Back teeth continue to reduce, so do front Back teeth continue to reduce, so do front

teethteeth Cranial buttresses much less in evidenceCranial buttresses much less in evidence loss of brow ridgeloss of brow ridge development of chindevelopment of chin Skeletal robusticity markedly lessSkeletal robusticity markedly less Sexual dimorphism reduces to modern Sexual dimorphism reduces to modern

levelslevels

Homo sapiens Homo sapiens

What causes this overall reduction?What causes this overall reduction? Teeth and cranial buttresses: food Teeth and cranial buttresses: food

processingprocessing• Especially cooking technologyEspecially cooking technology• Earth ovens maybe during late Neanderthal Earth ovens maybe during late Neanderthal

timestimes• Reduced selection for big molarsReduced selection for big molars

Skel. robust. & sex. dimorph.: projectiles & Skel. robust. & sex. dimorph.: projectiles & stringstring• With a.m. humans, first projectile weaponsWith a.m. humans, first projectile weapons• Atlatl (spear-thrower) & bow and arrowAtlatl (spear-thrower) & bow and arrow• No close quarter killing of big-gameNo close quarter killing of big-game

Selection reduced for maintaining big Selection reduced for maintaining big bonesbones• Sex. dimorph: males get relatively smallerSex. dimorph: males get relatively smaller

Cro MagnonCro Magnon

Species: Homo sapiens

Age: ~30,000 years

Date of Discovery:

March 1868

Location:Les Eyzies, Dordongne,

France

Discovered by:

Louis Lartet

 

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/cromagnon.html

Cro MagnonCro Magnon During construction for a railroad in 1868, a rock During construction for a railroad in 1868, a rock

shelter in a limestone cliff was uncovered. shelter in a limestone cliff was uncovered. Near the back of the shelter, an occupation floor Near the back of the shelter, an occupation floor

was recognized, and when excavated, it revealed was recognized, and when excavated, it revealed the remains of four adult skeletons, one infant, the remains of four adult skeletons, one infant, and some fragmentary bones. and some fragmentary bones.

Cro-Magnon 1 preserved the skeleton of an adult Cro-Magnon 1 preserved the skeleton of an adult male. male. • The individual was probably middle-aged (less than 50 The individual was probably middle-aged (less than 50

years old) at his death on the basis of the pattern of years old) at his death on the basis of the pattern of closure of cranial sutures. closure of cranial sutures.

• The bones in his face are noticeably pitted from a fungal The bones in his face are noticeably pitted from a fungal infection. infection.

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/cromagnon.html

Cro Magnon without teeth Cro Magnon without teeth reconstruction.reconstruction.

http://www.modernhumanorigins.net/cromagnon1.html

Skuhl 5Skuhl 5

Species: Homo sapiens

Age: ~ 90,000 years

Date of Discovery:

May 2, 1932

Location:Mount Carmel,

Israel

Discovered by:T. McCown and

H. Moivus, Jr.

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/skhul.html

Skuhl 5Skuhl 5 The remains of this male individual, known The remains of this male individual, known

as Skhul V, were recovered from the Skhul as Skhul V, were recovered from the Skhul Cave near Mount Carmel, Israel, along with Cave near Mount Carmel, Israel, along with the skeletons of nine other adults and the skeletons of nine other adults and children. children.

The anatomical features of this skull are The anatomical features of this skull are reminiscent of earlier, "archaic" humans. reminiscent of earlier, "archaic" humans. One notable example is the bony torus One notable example is the bony torus over the orbits.over the orbits.

It has a high forehead and an expanded It has a high forehead and an expanded frontal portion of the braincase. These are frontal portion of the braincase. These are features typical of modern human skulls. features typical of modern human skulls.

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/skhul.html

Wadjak 1Wadjak 1

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/wadjak.html

Species: Homo sapiens

Age: ***

Date of Discovery:

1888

Location:Wadjak, Java,

Indonesia

Discovered by:

Miners near Wadjak, Java

Wadjak 1Wadjak 1

This cranium was discovered in a rock shelter by miners near Wadjak, Java, in 1888

The cranium shows an expanded forehead that rises near vertically from above the orbits.

This is associated with either a repackaging of brain tissue in the cranial braincase or an actual expansion of the frontal lobe of the brain.

Omo 1& 2 Herto, EthiopiaOmo 1& 2 Herto, Ethiopia

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050223122209.htm

Omo 1 & 2Omo 1 & 2

Omo 1 & 2Omo 1 & 2

Two early humans were found in 1967 Two early humans were found in 1967 near Kibish, Ethiopia, they were thought to near Kibish, Ethiopia, they were thought to be 130,000 years old. A few years ago, be 130,000 years old. A few years ago, researchers found 154,000- to 160,000-researchers found 154,000- to 160,000-year-old human bones at Herto, Ethiopia. year-old human bones at Herto, Ethiopia.

Now, a new study of the 1967 site Now, a new study of the 1967 site indicates the earliest known members of indicates the earliest known members of our species, Homo sapiens, roamed Africa our species, Homo sapiens, roamed Africa about 195,000 years ago. (The fossils about 195,000 years ago. (The fossils were closer to a layer dated to 195 kya, were closer to a layer dated to 195 kya, than the upper layer dated to 130 kya).than the upper layer dated to 130 kya).

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050223122209.htm

Modern Human Origin TheoriesModern Human Origin Theories

Multiregional Evolution ModelMultiregional Evolution Model• WolpoffWolpoff

Replacement ModelReplacement Model• Stringer and AndrewsStringer and Andrews

““Mostly” Out of Africa ModelMostly” Out of Africa Model• RelethfordRelethford

Multiregional TheoryMultiregional Theory After After H. erectusH. erectus left Africa, spread to other left Africa, spread to other

areas of the world, and evolved into areas of the world, and evolved into modern humans.modern humans.

Human populations linked throughout the Human populations linked throughout the world were linked by gene flow.world were linked by gene flow.• Caused modern humans to evolve as a single Caused modern humans to evolve as a single

species from species from H. erectusH. erectus to Archaic to Archaic H. sapiensH. sapiens to to H. sapiensH. sapiens all over the world. all over the world.

• Also separated by distance and environment so Also separated by distance and environment so had considerable regional variation in had considerable regional variation in morphology.morphology.

All genes arose in many parts of the world All genes arose in many parts of the world and were mingled together as people from and were mingled together as people from different regions mated.different regions mated.

Replacement Theory Replacement Theory (Eve Hypothesis)(Eve Hypothesis)

Hominid populations genetically separated Hominid populations genetically separated during the Middle Pleistocene (before during the Middle Pleistocene (before 200,000 B.P.), evolving independently.200,000 B.P.), evolving independently.• Between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago Between 150,000 and 200,000 years ago

modern humans evolved in Africa and spread modern humans evolved in Africa and spread out, replacing archaic H. sapiens.out, replacing archaic H. sapiens.

Little or no gene flow as modern humans Little or no gene flow as modern humans replaced local populations, all genes replaced local populations, all genes necessary for moderns assembled in necessary for moderns assembled in Africa.Africa.

““Mostly” Out of AfricaMostly” Out of Africa

Modern Humans evolved in Africa around Modern Humans evolved in Africa around 150,000-195,000 years ago.150,000-195,000 years ago.

Spread to Asia, Middle East and Europe Spread to Asia, Middle East and Europe and replaced earlier settlers.and replaced earlier settlers.

In Europe, with Neanderthals, this may In Europe, with Neanderthals, this may have been complicated by absorption of have been complicated by absorption of Neanderthals into the Modern gene pool.Neanderthals into the Modern gene pool.• This allowed a very few Neanderthal traits to This allowed a very few Neanderthal traits to

persist in living populations in very small persist in living populations in very small percentages.percentages.

Evidence: FossilsEvidence: Fossils

Evidence from Europe and Middle Evidence from Europe and Middle East is inconsistent with Multiregional East is inconsistent with Multiregional model.model.• long period of overlap between long period of overlap between

Neanderthal and moderns in this area. Neanderthal and moderns in this area. • anatomically modern people appeared anatomically modern people appeared

60,000 years before Neanderthals 60,000 years before Neanderthals disappeared. disappeared.

• Most recent Neanderthal found at St. Most recent Neanderthal found at St. Cesaire ca. 30 kya, earliest anatomically Cesaire ca. 30 kya, earliest anatomically Modern in Europe dates to 60,000.Modern in Europe dates to 60,000.

http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/johanson.html

Evidence: ArchaeologicalEvidence: Archaeological Cave sites in Israel, most notably Qafzeh and Cave sites in Israel, most notably Qafzeh and

Skhul date to nearly 100,000 years and contain Skhul date to nearly 100,000 years and contain skeletons of anatomically modern humans.skeletons of anatomically modern humans.• Furthermore, Neanderthal remains are known from sites Furthermore, Neanderthal remains are known from sites

such as the 110,000-year-old Tabun cave, which such as the 110,000-year-old Tabun cave, which predates the earliest predates the earliest Homo sapiensHomo sapiens by about 10,000 by about 10,000 years in the region.  years in the region. 

The presence of Neanderthals at two other caves The presence of Neanderthals at two other caves in Israel, Amud and Kebara, dated to roughly in Israel, Amud and Kebara, dated to roughly 55,000 years means that Neanderthals and 55,000 years means that Neanderthals and Homo Homo sapienssapiens overlapped in this region. overlapped in this region.• Therefore, if Therefore, if Homo sapiensHomo sapiens were in this region prior to were in this region prior to

the disappearance of the Neanderthals, there is no the disappearance of the Neanderthals, there is no reason to assume that Neanderthals evolved into reason to assume that Neanderthals evolved into modern humans. modern humans.

http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/johanson.html

Evidence: ArchaeologicalEvidence: Archaeological Archaeological evidence from Europe suggests Archaeological evidence from Europe suggests

that Neanderthals may have survived in the that Neanderthals may have survived in the Iberian Peninsula until perhaps as recently as Iberian Peninsula until perhaps as recently as 28,000 to 35,000 years ago. 28,000 to 35,000 years ago.

Fully modern humans first appear in Europe, Fully modern humans first appear in Europe, bringing with them an Upper Paleolithic tool bringing with them an Upper Paleolithic tool tradition referred to as the Aurignacian. tradition referred to as the Aurignacian. • Hence, Neanderthals and fully modern humans may Hence, Neanderthals and fully modern humans may

have overlapped in Europe.have overlapped in Europe.• Again, with fully modern humans on the scene, it is not Again, with fully modern humans on the scene, it is not

necessary to have Neanderthals evolve into modern necessary to have Neanderthals evolve into modern humans, further bolstering the view that humans humans, further bolstering the view that humans replaced Neanderthals.  replaced Neanderthals. 

http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/johanson.html

Evidence: ToolsEvidence: Tools Tools associated with moderns are not found with Tools associated with moderns are not found with

Neanderthals.Neanderthals. Overlap of tools suggest that the modern morphology Overlap of tools suggest that the modern morphology

arrived in Europe due to the movement of people, not of arrived in Europe due to the movement of people, not of genes.genes.

A remarkable diversity in stone tool types  A remarkable diversity in stone tool types  • tool types showed significant change over time and space  tool types showed significant change over time and space  • artifacts were regularly fashioned out of bone, antler and ivory, artifacts were regularly fashioned out of bone, antler and ivory,

in addition to stone  in addition to stone  • stone artifacts were made primarily on blades and were easily stone artifacts were made primarily on blades and were easily

classified into discrete categories, presumably reflecting classified into discrete categories, presumably reflecting specialized use  specialized use 

Burials were accompanied by ritual or ceremony and Burials were accompanied by ritual or ceremony and contained a rich diversity of grave goods  contained a rich diversity of grave goods 

Living structures and well-designed fireplaces were Living structures and well-designed fireplaces were constructed constructed

Hunting of dangerous animal species and fishing occurred Hunting of dangerous animal species and fishing occurred regularly regularly 

Higher population densities  Higher population densities  Raw materials such as flint and shells were traded over Raw materials such as flint and shells were traded over

some distances  some distances  http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/johanson.html

 Paleolithic Stage  of Development

Beginning(years ago)

Cultural Tradition

Upper Paleolithic

 17,000  Magdalenian

21,000 Solutrean

27,000 Gravettian

33,000   Aurignacian/Chatelperronian  

Middle Paleolithic 75,000 Mousterian

Lower Paleolithic       700,000+ ?       Acheulian * 

Paleolithic Tool Traditions In Europe

http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo2/mod_homo_5.htm

Evidence: Biological DistanceEvidence: Biological Distance

In plots of cranial measurements, In plots of cranial measurements, modern European forms at ca. 15-25 modern European forms at ca. 15-25 kya look more similar to early kya look more similar to early modern African forms at 100-130 modern African forms at 100-130 kya.kya.

In contrast, Neanderthals are In contrast, Neanderthals are considerably distant from both.considerably distant from both.

Evidence: GeneticEvidence: Genetic Contemporary patterns of genetic variation Contemporary patterns of genetic variation

provide clues to origins of modern humans provide clues to origins of modern humans mtDNA, mitochondrial DNA passed from mother mtDNA, mitochondrial DNA passed from mother to her children, an exact copy of genetic material.to her children, an exact copy of genetic material.

Humans are less genetically variable than other Humans are less genetically variable than other populations-suggests population explosion.populations-suggests population explosion.

Studies of contemporary DNA, especially Studies of contemporary DNA, especially mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which occurs only in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) which occurs only in the cellular organelles called mitochondria, reveal the cellular organelles called mitochondria, reveal that humans are astonishingly homogeneous, that humans are astonishingly homogeneous, with relatively little genetic variation.  with relatively little genetic variation. 

Evidence: Genetic Evidence: Genetic In support of an African origin for In support of an African origin for Homo sapiensHomo sapiens

the work of Cann and Wilson has demonstrated the work of Cann and Wilson has demonstrated that the highest level of genetic variation in that the highest level of genetic variation in mtDNA occurs in African populations. mtDNA occurs in African populations.

This implies that This implies that Homo sapiensHomo sapiens arose first in arose first in Africa and has therefore had a longer period of Africa and has therefore had a longer period of time to accumulate genetic diversity. time to accumulate genetic diversity.

Using the genetic distance between African Using the genetic distance between African populations and others as a measure of time, populations and others as a measure of time, they furthermore suggested that they furthermore suggested that Homo sapiensHomo sapiens arose between 100,000 and 400,000 years ago in arose between 100,000 and 400,000 years ago in Africa.  Africa. 

Evidence: GeneticEvidence: Genetic Scientists recently succeeded in extracting Scientists recently succeeded in extracting

DNA from several Neanderthal skeletons. DNA from several Neanderthal skeletons. After careful analysis of particularly the After careful analysis of particularly the

mtDNA, but now also some nuclear DNA, it mtDNA, but now also some nuclear DNA, it is apparent that Neanderthal DNA is very is apparent that Neanderthal DNA is very distinct from our own but not entirely distinct from our own but not entirely different. different.

Genetic data suggests that Neandertals Genetic data suggests that Neandertals may have been absorbed by the larger may have been absorbed by the larger population of Moderns coming into Europe, population of Moderns coming into Europe, with the Neandertal “type” disappearing with the Neandertal “type” disappearing around 28 kya.  around 28 kya. 

Lagar Velho 1 Skeleton Lagar Velho 1 Skeleton

Neandertal/Human Hybrid??Neandertal/Human Hybrid??•Analysis of the skeletal remains of this four-year-old boy has revealed that he may be a Neandertal-Cro-Magnon hybrid.

•Found in a Portuguese rock-shelter and dating to 25,000 to 24,500 years ago has yielded startling evidence that early modern humans and Neandertals may have interbred.

•While the boy's prominent chin, tooth size, and pelvic measurements marked him as a Cro-Magnon, or fully modern human, his stocky body and short legs indicate Neandertal heritage, according to Erik Trinkaus, a paleoanthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis.

Lagar Velho 1 Skeleton Lagar Velho 1 Skeleton

Chin-on Lagar Velho Specimen, not Chin-on Lagar Velho Specimen, not on Neandertalson Neandertals

Lagar Velho 1Lagar Velho 1

ImplicationsImplications

Suggestions from mtDNASuggestions from mtDNA• Human populations spread out across Human populations spread out across

the globe well before any major the globe well before any major population expansion took place.population expansion took place.

• Size of pop before expansion was Size of pop before expansion was between 10 and 50,000 people.between 10 and 50,000 people.

• Major expansion of people beginning Major expansion of people beginning around 100,000 years ago in Africa and around 100,000 years ago in Africa and 50,000 years ago in the rest of the 50,000 years ago in the rest of the world.world.