Everything You Needed To Know About Early Humans and Evolution

Homo sapiens, in comparison to their predecessors, had a larger and more intricate brain, as well as a shorter face with a distinct chin. These modifications allowed for the development of a more sophisticated language than previously possible. Over the course of millions of years, researchers have uncovered a wealth of knowledge about our ancestors through archaeological and anthropological discoveries. We now understand that compared to Neanderthals, Homo erectus, and earlier Homo sapiens, we have a larger brain, less hair, better-developed facial features, and walk upright – all of which contribute to our ability to speak a more complex language. However, other factors have also played a role in shaping our evolution and adaptation. Here are some intriguing insights into the lives of early humans.

Ancient Hunters

New findings suggest that early humans were able to ambush and hunt animal herds much earlier than previously believed, as evidenced by an ancient butchery site discovered in Tanzania. At least two million years ago, early humans used sophisticated hunting methods to take down large animals such as antelopes, gazelles, and wildebeest. Australian and Indonesian researchers have discovered that a hobbit-like human species existed roughly 18,000 years ago. This species, which was no taller than the average 3-year-old, coexisted with pygmy elephants and 10-foot lizards.

Left Africa

The Homo sapiens, the forebears of modern humans, first appeared in Africa. The “Out of Africa” hypothesis proposes that our ancestors migrated out of the continent to Europe and Asia, ultimately replacing earlier forms of human species, including Homo erectus. This migration occurred around 80,000 years ago. Interestingly, it turns out that Homo erectus, also known as upright humans, had followed the same path from Africa to Eurasia over a million years earlier. It appears that Homo sapiens were not the first ones to conceive of this idea.

More Developed

During this period, our ancestors were believed to be small-brained apes, and it was widely assumed that they subsisted on whatever they could scavenge. It was thought that they survived by consuming food that the land provided or by eating the meat of animals that had died from natural causes or been left behind by larger predators. However, the discovery of hunting and eating tools indicates that our ancestors may have been more intellectually advanced than initially presumed.

What They Wore

Although precise dates are challenging to determine, research has identified when our human-like ancestors began utilizing animal skins to keep warm. This need may have arisen after losing a substantial amount of body hair. Scientists believe that humans started wearing “clothes” approximately one million years ago, as determined by analyzing factors such as the genetic skin coloration of our ancestors during this period.

Evolutionary Adaptation

As we attempt to trace our adaptations and evolution from our apelike forebears, we have come to recognize that many human traits, including organs and behaviors, have lost most of their original function as a result of evolution. These include organs such as the appendix, wisdom teeth, and tailbone, as well as behavioral reflexes like the formation of goosebumps under the skin. Although the exact reason for the raised bumps on our skin is not entirely clear, research and scientists have proposed that a possible function would have been to elevate the body’s hair, making our ancestors appear larger and thus deterring predators. Raising the hair may have also been used to capture an additional layer of air, keeping the animal warm. We used to have thick hair that stood on our heads, not so unlike the hair on the back of your neck now. However, we lost that thick hair over time, yet the physiological response remained.

Early Language

Some scientists contend that communication traits and the use of language stemmed from a shared dialect spoken by our forebears while they still lived in Africa. This language may have been composed of sounds and grunts rather than formal words, but it was undoubtedly employed as a means of instruction and expression. Given that there are over 5000 different languages spoken in the world today, this notion is highly plausible. Linguists and anthropologists propose that human language most likely began to evolve around 100,000 years ago.

Slow To Develop Culture

Many anthropologists currently posit that early humans likely didn’t develop culture until around 100,000 years ago. When we consider the “mitochondrial Eve” theory, which suggests that we are all descended from one East African woman who lived approximately 200-150,000 years ago, this fact is quite astounding. Homo sapiens evolved over 150,000 years ago, during the time of mitochondrial Eve, who is the most recent common maternal ancestor of all people currently on Earth. This indicates that our species persisted for a significant period before developing art, symbolic communication, ornaments, and bone tools. Pre-cultural humans possessed advanced toolkits and fire, but anthropologists believe that they didn’t create language until a cultural revolution occurred.

The Tools They Used

Early evidence of the creation and utilization of stone tools by our predecessors dates back to roughly 2.6 million years ago. However, in Dikika, Ethiopia, there is a discovery of fossil animal bones that potentially show butchery marks, dating back as far as 3.4 million years ago. This new finding suggests that our early ancestors may have used naturally sharp rocks on the bones of animals, such as antelopes, to hunt and prepare their food.

Traversing The Ocean

While it is true that there is evidence of Homo sapiens arriving in Australia around 50,000 years ago, they did not do so without any seafaring experience. The journey from Southeast Asia to Australia would have required crossing significant bodies of water, including open ocean crossings. This suggests that the early humans who made the journey had some level of experience with seafaring and navigation, and may have used simple watercraft such as rafts or canoes. Additionally, it is important to note that Homo erectus, a predecessor to Homo sapiens, is also believed to have used watercraft to travel across bodies of water around 1 million years ago.

Evolutionary Punch

It is important to note that while our hands have adapted for the purpose of making fists, this does not necessarily mean that fighting was the primary reason for this adaptation. Our hands have many important functions, including grasping objects, manipulating tools, and performing fine motor movements, all of which have contributed to our survival and success as a species. The ability to form a fist may have also been useful for activities such as climbing and gripping, in addition to potentially being used for self-defense.

Long Skulls

The Paracas skulls are named after the Paracas culture in Peru where they were discovered. These elongated skulls have been the subject of much speculation and conspiracy theories, with some suggesting they are evidence of extraterrestrial life or ancient civilizations with advanced technology. However, the scientific consensus is that the Paracas skulls are the result of intentional cranial deformation, a practice that was common in many ancient cultures around the world. By binding the skulls of infants and young children with boards or other devices, they could be reshaped into elongated or flattened shapes that were considered desirable or aesthetically pleasing. While the exact reasons for this practice are not entirely clear, it is believed to have had cultural or social significance rather than any functional or evolutionary purpose. As for the intelligence of the individuals with these skulls, there is no evidence to suggest that they were any less intelligent than their contemporaries with “normal” skulls.

Larger Brain, Smaller Teeth

A significant change in human evolution and adaptation is the expansion of the brain size accompanied by a reduction in tooth size. This evolutionary pattern was unexpected as it contradicts the trend in other animals where teeth and brain size grow together. Some scientists speculate that the reduction in tooth size may have resulted from our ancestors’ habit of cooking food over fire, which made digestion and chewing more comfortable, saving time and energy spent on digestion. Hence, large teeth were no longer necessary to acquire nutrients for brain growth.

Using Fire

Several traits distinguish humans from animals, such as walking upright, crafting and employing stone tools, and controlling fire. Archaeological findings indicate that our ancestors harnessed fire as a tool by using Stone Age flint tools to create it and to scrape and cut meat.

Different Types Of Food

The food we consume is one of the key drivers of evolution. In the past, our ancestors’ diets evolved as they migrated to new locations and adapted to new environments. Initially, they consumed nuts, seeds, fish, insects, and small animals, laying the foundation for the development of our intelligence and brain capacity. This led to the creation of advanced tools and the use of fire, which further fueled our evolution.

Constant Evolution

The evolution of humans is a long-term process that indicates humans have descended from apelike ancestors. Scientific research has revealed that physical and behavioral characteristics shared by all humans have developed over an extensive period from these ancestors. It is believed that our species will continue to evolve in response to various factors such as changes in our diet, geography, environment, advancements in technology, and the blending of different races.

Decreased Human Population

Approximately 80,000 years ago, the human population experienced a significant decrease in size. Despite ongoing archaeological research, the exact cause of this decline remains uncertain, but it is known to have been a difficult time. Some scientists speculate that a massive volcanic eruption may have been the culprit, as it would have released millions of ash particles into the atmosphere, blocking the sun’s heat for several years. This scenario could have led to a drop in temperature that severely impacted life on Earth and hindered population growth.

Neanderthal Genes

Our closest extinct human relatives are the Neanderthals, who inhabited Europe and Asia from around 200,000 years ago until 30,000 years ago. Despite some physical similarities with modern humans, Neanderthals had shorter, stockier builds with angled cheekbones, prominent brow ridges, and wide noses that helped them thrive in cold climates and hunt large prey for food. Contrary to popular belief, these ancient humans were not mere brutes, as evidence shows that they used tools, buried their dead, and were able to control fire.

Not Very Varied

The discovery of various human species throughout history has revealed that their genetic makeup is not significantly different. This is because all humans and their ancestors originate from the same region in East Africa, where it is believed that all human-ape ancestors lived. Population geneticists use a metric called “effective population size” to measure genetic diversity, which refers to the number of individuals needed to reproduce the full population’s genetic diversity. For humans, this number is quite low, hovering around 15,000 individuals, which is surprising considering the actual population size of 7 billion. In comparison, some species of mice have an effective population size of 733,000.

Slow Metabolism

In our current health-conscious society, it is often recommended to consume multiple small meals throughout the day to boost metabolism and aid in weight loss. However, scientific evidence suggests that a slower metabolism may actually contribute to longer life spans compared to other animals. This is because a faster metabolism requires more energy and ultimately leads to faster wear and tear on the body. When comparing human metabolism to that of other mammals, it is apparent that our metabolic rate is significantly lower, often up to 50%.

Evolutionary Protein

The protein known as DUF1220 is believed to play a crucial role in the evolution and development of the human brain. This hypothesis is based on the fact that humans possess over 270 copies of DUF1220 in their brains, while our primate relatives such as chimpanzees and gorillas have fewer copies of the protein. As further studies are conducted, it is possible that scientists will establish a direct link between the protein and human intelligence, which may explain the gap between us and other animals. Despite this, remnants of our ancestors’ physical traits still exist in some of us. For example, approximately 9% of people lack the muscle in their foot that allowed our primitive ancestors to grip objects.

Increased Population

The population growth rate has significantly increased in the last century. It took 100,000 years to reach one billion people, then only 133 years for the second billion, and a mere 44 years for the third billion. Scientists predict that the global population will reach eight billion people by 2025. Interestingly, around 70,000 BC, a mysterious illness, believed to be tuberculosis, decimated our early ancestors, leaving only 2,000 individuals alive. This event placed humans on the endangered species list, alongside animals like black rhinos and giant pandas. Given this history, it’s difficult to predict what lies ahead for us.

Biology Is Powerful

Science has revealed the natural world to be more astonishing than we can fathom, spanning from the minuscule to the cosmic. From insects that torment other creatures in grotesque manners, to colossal stars that transform into black holes, to the immense range of organisms residing inside and outside our bodies, science has shed light on a multitude of captivating subjects. Through its observations, science has exposed unnerving, revolting, and completely startling domains of the universe that were previously concealed in darkness.

Bamboo Torture

Bamboo has been utilized by diverse cultures for thousands of years due to its versatility and popularity. It is indigenous to Asia and can be found growing in or near water sources throughout the continent, ranging from India to Japan. This plant has been used to create tools and weapons, and the fiber harvested from it has been transformed into fabric and clothing. Remarkably, bamboo is the fastest-growing plant globally, sometimes growing up to 36 inches in a single day. They were even once used as a torture device, with victims being tied up on top of a bamboo shoot, which would grow right through them.

Very Processed

The majority of the food we consume is processed in factories, which are subject to inspection by the US government. The Food Safety and Inspection Service, a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture, is responsible for guaranteeing the safety of the nation’s meat, poultry, and dairy products. However, it may come as a surprise that certain substances are permitted in our food supply. For instance, in chocolate, it is legally acceptable to have up to 70 insect fragments per 125 grams of chocolate.

Mites Are Everywhere

Microscopic organisms find a perfect environment in the human body. Various types of microbes, ranging from bacteria to viruses, fungi, and tiny insects, thrive on human bodies, residing in our digestive systems, skin, and hair. Our eyelashes, for instance, harbor two species of mites that reside in hair follicles and feed on dead skin. It is estimated that up to 2,000 of these face mites may live on our eyelashes at any given time, carrying out their entire life cycles on our faces without our knowledge. Though they are too tiny to be seen with the naked eye, face mites are easily visible under a microscope. They are immune to water and cannot be washed away.

Ship of Theseus

The Ship of Theseus is an ancient thought experiment that delves into the question of identity. What defines our sense of self? As time passes, every piece of wood, sail, and nail on the ship is replaced. This raises the question of whether the ship remains the same if all of its parts have been altered. A similar query arises when we consider the human body. It is a well-known fact that every seven years, all of the cells in our bodies are replaced with new ones. Additionally, we shed billions of cells every day as dead skin. Furthermore, the individual atoms that compose our cells are also continuously being replaced. It takes about a year for every one of the seven octillion atoms that comprise our bodies to change into another atom of the same type, due to chemistry and quantum physics. So, are we still ourselves?

Stomach Acid Strength

Our bodies utilize stomach acid, or gastric acid, as a potent chemical to break down complex foods like meat and fiber. The primary ingredient in this acid is an industrial-strength solvent called hydrochloric acid. The acidity of an acid like HCl is measured on the pH scale, which ranges from zero to thirteen, with lower values indicating stronger acidity. Stomach acid typically registers at a pH between 1 and 2, a level that is powerful enough to dissolve stainless steel. If it came into contact with our skin, it would cause immediate damage. However, this underscores the remarkable resilience of the human body. Stomach acid is created by cells in the lining of the stomach, which also generate a protective mucus. Within the stomach, the mucosal lining safeguards the remainder of the body from the potent gastric acids, enabling stomach acid to perform its function of digesting our food.

Filthy Toothbrushes

The transmission of harmful particles through the air is not unique to the coronavirus. Other substances can also be spread through tiny droplets that can settle on surfaces and cause illness. One example is the bathroom environment, where millions of Americans store their toothbrushes. When you flush, the strong force produces aerosolized droplets that can land on nearby surfaces, including your toothbrush. When you brush your teeth, you may unknowingly introduce those droplets into your mouth, potentially causing harm. While your immune system is generally capable of dealing with such contamination, it’s still an unpleasant thought. To avoid this, it is recommended to keep your toothbrush in a cabinet and close the toilet lid before flushing.

Fast & Furious Fleas

Fleas are remarkable creatures. In addition to being trained to perform tricks in flea circuses, they also display incredible strength and agility without any effort. Fleas can jump up to three inches in just one thousandth of a second, which is remarkable considering their size. If you calculate the acceleration, it becomes even more impressive. Acceleration is measured in G-forces, and roller coasters and the Space Shuttle can produce forces up to five Gs, while some fighter planes can pull up to 10Gs. Fleas generate up to 100Gs of acceleration when they jump, which would feel like weighing a ton or more to humans. They achieve this incredible feat through a system of coiled proteins that can be suddenly released like a spring.

The Brutal Hike

Climbing Mount Everest is a lifelong aspiration for many individuals. As the highest mountain in the world, peaking just over 29,000 feet, ascending it is incredibly challenging. Sadly, as many as 300 people have lost their lives attempting to climb Everest, and around half of them remain on the mountain, buried in the snow. Some of these fatalities occurred due to avalanches or falls, while others perished due to low oxygen levels causing madness and hypothermia. Out of respect for the deceased and for safety reasons, the bodies are left on the mountain, permanently frozen. While some are buried too deep to be seen, others are visible each spring, serving as a grim reminder of the mountain’s dangers to the next season of climbers.

Extra Protein

Chocolate is not the sole food that is permitted to contain insects under the law. In fact, insects can be found in much of the food consumed in the US, ranging from fruits and vegetables to packaged cereals or soups. According to a recent study, Americans consume insect pieces as many as 140,000 times every year, although most of those are too tiny to be noticed. Nevertheless, some foods are more likely to contain insects than others, and there are varying regulations about how much is acceptable. Ground cinnamon is permitted to contain as many as 400 insect fragments per 50 grams, and oregano is even worse, with a permitted amount of as many as 1,250 insect fragments for every ten grams. The majority of insect matter in our diets, however, comes from produce, where small creatures may conceal themselves in spinach or corn until we come across them at the dining table.

Impossibly Small

All matter is composed of atoms, which are incredibly small, making it difficult for us to comprehend their scale. However, it’s interesting to note that there are more atoms in a glass of water than there are glasses of water in the entire ocean. By performing some basic calculations, we can prove this statement to be true. For instance, a 200-milliliter glass of water contains roughly 6.6855 x 10 to the 24th power (or 6.68551024) molecules of H₂O. This number is greater than the total number of stars in the sky and grains of sand on beaches. Comparatively, if you divide all the Earth’s ocean water into 200ml glasses, you’ll get approximately 6.67 x 10 to the 21st power (or 6.671021) glasses of water, which is around a thousand times less than the number of molecules in a single glass.

Three Lefts

If you ever find yourself lost in a big city, this next fact might be useful. Navigation can be tricky in unfamiliar urban areas, even with GPS technology. In many cities around the world, it is illegal to make a left turn on a busy street where traffic is on the right side of the road. This law makes sense as making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic can be dangerous and lead to traffic congestion. However, you can achieve the same result by making three right turns in a row. By turning right, then turning right again, and turning right once more, you will end up heading in the same direction as if you had made a left turn. Keep this helpful tip in mind for when you need it.

Cornea Not Connected To The Blood Supply

The human immune system is a complex network of defensive cells and hormones that responds to any external threat encountered by the body. Immune cells generally travel through the bloodstream to any part of the body that needs them. However, the cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye, lacks a blood supply and, therefore, direct access to the body’s primary immune system. Instead, the cornea receives oxygen directly from the air, allowing for the transparency necessary for vision but making it vulnerable to infection. Lashes and tears are the primary defense mechanisms, as the cornea is mostly self-sufficient for defense. In rare instances when blood enters the cornea, infection and blindness can occur. Fortunately, this is a very uncommon occurrence.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a phenomenon where individuals who possess little knowledge about a particular subject tend to be overconfident in their knowledge of it, while those who are more knowledgeable tend to be less sure of their expertise. This can explain why mediocrity is often more prevalent than excellence. As individuals become more knowledgeable, they realize how much they don’t know, leading to decreased confidence in their knowledge. On the other hand, those with limited knowledge tend to be more confident in their understanding, not realizing how much they still need to learn. Unfortunately, this can lead to poor decision-making, as those who should speak up may doubt themselves, while those who lack knowledge may dominate group discussions.

A Whole Lot Of Bacteria

If you were to count the number of bacteria in your body and compare it with the number of your own cells, you would discover that you are mostly made up of bacterial cells rather than human cells. According to Dr. Carolyn Bohach, a microbiologist at the University of Idaho, there are approximately ten times as many bacterial cells in our bodies as there are human cells. Though, most of these bacteria are much smaller than our cells and coexist with us peacefully. In reality, many of the bacteria in our digestive system and on our skin are beneficial to our health. Digestive bacteria produce enzymes that help us digest our food, while other bacteria generate vitamins or provide energy to our cells. We have learned to coexist with our bacterial counterparts, and we now depend on each other for survival.

Betelgeuse In The Sky

Betelgeuse, the tenth-brightest star in the sky, is a supergiant located in the Orion constellation, and is nearing the end of its lifespan. Initially, like all stars, it began as a clump of interstellar gas and dust. Over time, gravity brought the particles together and when the density reached a certain threshold, the star ignited its nuclear fuel. Due to its large size, the core burns through hydrogen, its primary fuel source, and starts fusing atomic nuclei to create helium. Eventually, even the helium is processed into heavier elements like carbon and iron. As the star evolves, it becomes a red supergiant. Ultimately, supergiants like Betelgeuse explode and transform into neutron stars or black holes, becoming much brighter in the process. This could occur with Betelgeuse at any moment, and when it does, it will illuminate the night sky for months.

Time Is An Illusion

Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, developed in the early 20th century, revolutionized our understanding of the universe. Prior to this, we viewed the world as a giant clock, with solid and fixed objects, and time and space as separate entities. However, Einstein demonstrated that all measurements were flexible, and they changed depending on the observer’s perspective. The concept of simultaneity, or two things occurring at the same time, was shown to be an illusion, as they could occur at different times for different observers. In essence, time, as we experience it, is an illusion, and space and time form a single fourth-dimensional unit called space-time. However, because we are trapped in three dimensions, we perceive the fourth dimension as time. In higher dimensions, time does not exist.

Creating Our Own Reality

Following Relativity, Quantum Mechanics emerged to revolutionize our understanding of the universe and ourselves. Developed by Bohr, Heisenberg, Dirac, and other scientists, QM proposes that everything exists in a realm of probabilities until observed by an observer. For instance, before flipping a fair coin, the probability of it landing on heads or tails is equally likely. Even after the coin is flipped, both possibilities continue to exist until observed by a conscious observer. Essentially, everything exists as possibilities until an outcome is selected by an observer. The concept that a falling tree in an empty forest makes no sound is truly mind-boggling when considered. While Relativity demonstrated that time is not a concrete concept, Quantum Mechanics suggests that nothing is truly real.

Dropping A Coin From A Building

Can you fathom being accused of homicide for dropping a penny from the Empire State Building? There are individuals who believe that a penny dropped from a tall structure has the ability to fatally injure a person upon impact. The reasoning behind this belief is based on flawed physics, which suggests that the penny’s accumulated velocity will be enough to knock someone down permanently. However, this is a myth that needs to be debunked. While a penny hitting your head may cause some discomfort, it is highly unlikely to result in death. Contrary to the scientific misconception that a penny will reach a velocity of 100 miles per hour, the reality is that the penny will simply fall down and start tumbling, giving you a startle.