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The Homo Species

A brief history of the evolution of humankind

By Cadmo NetoPublished about a year ago 3 min read
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Charles Darwin did not say that humans came from monkeys, actually, no reputable scientist or biologist has ever claimed that humans evolved directly from monkeys. Instead, Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection, which suggests that humans and monkeys (as well as all other primates) share a common ancestor that lived millions of years ago. According to this theory, over time, different species of primates evolved through gradual changes, including physical and behavioral adaptations, to become the diverse array of primates we see today.

Darwin's theory of evolution is based on evidence from various fields, including biology, geology, and paleontology. Through his research, he observed that species could change over time and that those that were better adapted to their environment were more likely to survive and reproduce. This process, known as natural selection, allows beneficial traits to become more prevalent in a population over generations.

Therefore, while Darwin did not explicitly state that humans came from monkeys, his theory of evolution suggests that humans and monkeys share a common ancestor and evolved through the same mechanisms of natural selection and genetic variation.

The evolution of humankind is a complex and fascinating topic that spans millions of years. Our species, Homo sapiens, evolved from earlier hominids and primates through a gradual process of natural selection and genetic adaptation.

The earliest known hominids are the Sahelanthropus tchadensis and Orrorin tugenensis, which lived in Africa about 6-7 million years ago. These early hominids were bipedal, meaning they walked upright on two legs, but had small brains and were not yet fully adapted to life on the ground.

Over time, various hominid species emerged, including the Australopithecus, which lived between 4 and 2 million years ago. Australopithecus species, such as Australopithecus afarensis (famous for the discovery of the fossil known as "Lucy"), had larger brains than earlier hominids and were better adapted to walking upright on two legs. They also had the ability to use simple tools, such as rocks and sticks.

Around 2 million years ago, the first species of the genus Homo appeared. These early Homo species, such as Homo habilis, had even larger brains and more advanced tool-making abilities. They also had the ability to communicate and collaborate with others in more complex ways.

Over time, different species of Homo evolved, including Homo erectus, which was the first hominid species to leave Africa and spread across Asia and Europe. Homo erectus had a larger brain than earlier hominids and was capable of using fire, as well as more advanced tools.

Around 300,000 years ago, the first anatomically modern humans, Homo sapiens, appeared in Africa. These early humans had larger brains than previous hominids and were capable of creating more sophisticated tools and weapons. They also had the ability to communicate using complex language and were the first hominids to create art and engage in cultural activities.

From there, Homo sapiens gradually spread across the globe, eventually replacing other hominid species such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. Today, Homo sapiens is the only surviving species of hominid, and our evolution continues as we adapt to changing environments and develop new technologies and cultural practices.

The first human cities are believed to have emerged around 4000 BCE in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and Egypt. These early cities were characterized by large populations, complex social structures, and the development of agriculture.

One of the earliest known cities is Uruk, which was located in Mesopotamia and is believed to have been established around 4000 BCE. Uruk was a walled city with a complex system of irrigation canals and a population of around 50,000 people. It was also home to the famous ziggurat, a stepped pyramid that served as a religious center.

Another early city was Memphis, which was founded in Egypt around 3100 BCE. Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt for much of its history and was home to many important monuments and buildings, including the Great Sphinx and the Temple of Ptah.

Other early cities include Jericho in modern-day Palestine, which is believed to have been founded around 8000 BCE, and Catalhoyuk in modern-day Turkey, which was established around 7500 BCE. These cities were smaller than Uruk and Memphis but still represented important steps in the development of human civilization.

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