Charles Darwin's Theory Of Evolution To Explain The Origin Of Man (Essay Sample)

Edward odhiambo
History & Government (232/1)
Dr. Samuel Madiany
April, 2018
The Evolution Stages Leading To the Rise of Human Being
Overview
The human being, commonly referred to as man in historical books, possesses unique features that distinguish him from other creatures. This triggers questions such as the origin of man and the universe at large. A number of theories have since been developed to explain the origin of man. This study strives to encompass the evolution stages of leading to the rise of human being, with specific focus on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.
For a long time, the history of the origin of man was only unfolded by two theories: The mythical theory and the creation theory. However, Charles Darwin, later developed Evolution theory, that seemed to challenge the former and the latter. In 1859, Darwin published his ideas on the theory of evolution in a book title 'The origin of species by means of natural selection'" (Jacinta, kiruthu, and Muma (eds), 2011:17). According to Darwin's evolution theory, "all living things evolved from simple living cells to the complex plants and animals we know today. This evolution took place in distinct stages, namely mutation, natural selection, and adaptation" (Jacinta et al. 2011:17). The first apes are believed to have appeared on earth between 40 and 25 million years ago. Owing to the fact that both man and ape belong to the same order, history establishes that man emerged around 4.5 million years ago. According to Darwin's theory, evolution of man occurred in eight distinct stages notably: Aegyptopithecus, Drayopithecus, Kenyapithecus, Austrolopithecus, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Homo sapiens, and Homo sapiens sapiens.
1. Aegyptopithecus
"The earliest evidence of portable ancestors of both man and ape, was a monkey-like skull found in the Fuyan Depression of Egypt. It was small, about 4Kg, and was named Aegyptopithecus, meaning Egyptian man" (Jacinta et al. 2011:19). Since Egypt was highly forested at this time of history, Aegyptopithecus had great adaptation to forest life, hence possessing herbivorous teeth. "Aegyptopithecus had stereoscopic vision and hands which could enable it to jump skillfully from one tree to another" (Jacinta et al. 2011:17). Due to environmental changes, austrolopithecus evolved into a different species known as Dryopithecus africanus.
2. Dryopithecus africanus (Proconsul)
"The remains of Dryopithecus africanus were found on Rusinga Island, within Lake Victoria, Kenya, in 1948 by Mary and Luois Leakey. The remains consisted of a skull, whose appearance, was a little closer to man, than Aegyptopithecus" (Jacinta et al. 2011:20). Dated back to about 20 million years ago, Dyopithecus africanus was also ape-like, even though its appearance was much closer to that of a man than Aegyptopithecus. The proconsul had smooth forehead with quadrapedal movement. The shape of his jaws and teeth suggested that he ate fruits.
3. Kenyapithecus (Ramapithecus)
This was a more advanced creature that featured between 15 to 12 million years ago. "The first remains of Kenyapithecus were discovered at Fort Ternan in Kericho District, Kenya, in 1961 by Dr. Louis Leakey assisted by his wife, Mary" (Jacinta et al. 2011:20). These fossils were rather estimated to be between 15 and 12 million of age.
Kenyapithecus had small canines and walked on two legs, making them more human-like as compared to their predecessors. "Ramapithecus, another creature similar to Kenyapithecus, was found in the Siwalikis Hills in Nothern India New Delhi" (Jacinta et al. 2011:20)
4. Austrolopithecus
Austrolopithecus is a Latin word for "Southern ape". Donald and Henry explain that Austrolopithecus consisted of "a group of extinct primates closely related to, if not actually ancestors of, modern human beings, and known from series of fossils found at numerous sites in eastern, North-central, and Southern Africa" (2018). These apes are believed to have appeared 4. Million years ago, in Savannahs of Southern and Eastern Africa. They were bipedal and their legs were similar to those of modern man. The Austrolopithecus were, however, hairy, had low forehead and large faces. "Their canine teeth were smaller than those found in apes, and their cheek teeth were larger than those of modern humans" (Donald & Henry, 2018)
"The fossil remains of Austrolopythecus were first discovered at Taung in Botswana by Raymond Dort in 1924" (Jacinta et al. 2011:21). There are four distinct sub-species of Austrolopithecus namely: afarensis, robustus, africanus, and anamensis.
5. Homo habilis
"Homo habilis, meaning 'man with ability', is the first species of Homo genus. The specimen that led to the naming of this species (OH7), was discovered in 1960, by the Leakey team in Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania" (archaeologyinfo.com(n.d)). This species of early man could grasp objects and make tools. he lived between 2.5 and 1.5 million years ago. "Homo habilis had a brain capacity of about 500 to 800cm3 and was about 5 feet in height" (Jacinta et al. 2011:21). loc.cit, Homo habilis is reported to have made pebble tools and unlike Austrolopithecus, he was omnivorous.
According to the intense studies carried out by Leakey's multidisciplinary team, "they placed the material as different from penecontemporary austrolopithecines due to the teeth, which fell outside the known range of A. africanus, with very large incisors" (archaeologyinfo.com(n.d))
6. Homo erectus
Homo erectus, meaning 'upright man', were some of the early transitional humans who evolved 1.9 million years ago. Some scientific researchers further split this species into two: Homo ergaster (Walking man) and Homo erectus. "The ergaster fossils were presumably somewhat eerier and were found in most parts of Africa. The erectus discoveries have been found widespread in Africa, Asia, and Europe" (Palomer College(n.d)). According to Palomer (n.d) College, "Homo erectus were very successful in creating cultural technology that allowed them to adapt to the new environmental opportunities".
Homo erectus particularly had body sizes range similar to that of modern humans. "It is the first human ancestor to have similar limb and torso proportionate to those seen in modern humans. It had adopted walking in two feet, in a more open, grass-land environment, rather than swinging from tree branch to branch" (Live Science, 2015). Homo erectus also used technology, culture, and tools for hunting and gathering f...