The Advent of the Modern Man

The Advent of the Modern Man

(Based on NCERT XI History)

Origin of Homo Species:

Australopithecus was the first upright creature, belonged to hominid class. Australopithecus was well adopted with forest life but Around 2.5 mya, there were major changes in climate and vegetation. Due to the reduction in temperatures as well as rainfall, grassland areas expanded and forestland reduced. Which led to the gradual extinction of the early forms of Australopithecus and replaced by species that were better adapted to the drier conditions? Among these were the earliest representatives of the genus Homo.

Classification of Homo

Scientists distinguish amongst several types of Homo. Fossils, based on specific characteristics, are classified as Homo habilis (the toolmaker), Homo erectus (the upright man), and Homo sapiens (the wise or thinking man). Fossils, from different places like those found in Heidelberg, a city in Germany, were called Homo heidelbergensis, while those found in the Neander valley were categorized as Homo neanderthalensis.

Development of Homo Sapience 

Some of the earliest evidence for Homo sapiens has been found in different parts of Africa. This raises the question of the centre of human origin. Was there a single centre or were there several? This topic is still under debates. There are two major theories known as the “continuity Model” and The “Replacement Model”.

The Continuity Model 

Supporters of this model assert that based on differences in regional differences the species in different parts of the world were gradually evolved to the modern humans at different rates from pre-existing human species like Homo erectus and Homo Niendarthalensis.

The Replacement Model

The replacement model asserts the complete replacement everywhere of all older forms of humans i.e Homo erectus and Homo Niendarthalensis with the modern humans specie Homo sapience. Scientists, who support this model, argue that the Homo sapience were originated in Africa and migrated to different parts of the world, replacing all local population of H.erectus.

Modern Archaeology and Genetics studies also give evidences in support of the replacement model. the enormous similarity amongst modern humans is due to their descent from a population that originated in a single region, which is Africa. The physical differences observed today among modern humans are the result of adaptation by populations who migrated to the particular regions where they finally settled down.

The evidence of the earliest fossils of modern humans (from Omo in Ethiopia) also supports the replacement model. In addition, a recent Mitochondrial DNA study has suggests that the world population originates from Africa.