Becoming Human

BECOMING HUMAN

1. Introduction:-

When and how did We- The modern humans come into existence? What is the story of our evolution? “Becoming Human” is one such approach that delves into this very story of our origin- a comprehensive journey through 4 million years of human evolution, to promote and perpetuate a greater understanding of the course of human evolution.

Don Johanson, one of the numerous researchers involved in investigating and interpreting the evidences of human origin and its subsequent evolution, ushers us through the findings of many a researchers that paved way for the framework of the human story. Though the story begins in the small town of Hadar, Ethiopia, over the course of time, humans have evolved and transcended to other parts of the world. Beginning with numerous human species, the ones that survived are the ones who were capable of adapting to the changing world. The most adaptable and the fittest survived; and today just one human species remains- the Homo sapiens.

2. Evidence:-

Hadar- an arid and inhospitable area in the northern region of Ethiopia served as one of the primitive locations for the study of human origins due to its geology, and the fact that it was rich in animal fossils aging more than 3 million years. The earliest studies date back to 1972. During the course of investigation, the discovery of the first hominoid fossil was made in 1974- a knee joint dated to nearly 3.4 million years. This was undoubtedly of a creature that walked upright; this finding was instrumental in laying the foundation for further discoveries of human origin. Shortly, further hominoid fossils were discovered – few elbow bones, and a partially eroded hominoid skull. Because of the petite nature of the structure- the hominoid was nicknamed “Lucy”. Due to the unique anatomy of the hominoids, Lucy and other Hadar fossils were named Australopithecus afarensis. Though a barren and scorched land with scarce rainfall today, 3 million years ago Hadar was a land of fruit trees, dates and figs, which was the source of food for the animals and hominoids as well. Many of the fossils at Hadar showed different signs of trauma. The feature that helped Lucy survive animal attacks were her long arms that facilitated her to climb trees, and escape the predators. Though many fossils were later discovered at Hadar, Lucy serves a critical role in understanding human evolution and continues to be an important discovery, to date.

3. Anatomy:-

English naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin proposed that as we leap back in time, our human ancestors looked more like apes and less like the modern day humans. 8 million years ago, known as the Miocene era, a large diversity of apes survived in the dense forests. Factors that made them one of the most successful species in the arboreal environment are the evolutionary adaptations in their anatomy such as their grasping toes, arms, shoulders and joint mobility. Gradually, as the African lush forests started to thin, and the world became a much colder and drier place, the Apes started to dwindle in population as well. Although, one species of apes adapted to the changing conditions and survived, they were the common ancestors to the African Apes and humans.