Human DNA only differs from chimpanzee DNA by 1.24%. That is, we share 98.76% of our genetic traits. The great difference between chimpanzees and humans that this small percentage supposes, is explained through the human evolution and of the main hominization processes that our species has suffered throughout what we know as prehistory, when our ancestors were hunters and gatherers: the changes in the skeleton associated with the upright position, the increase in cranial capacity and the birth of immature offspring.
What are the 4 hominization factors
The hominization process consists of a series of factors or keys that allowed us to go from our ancestors to what we are today. These are the factors that have allowed us to reach human beings.
Diet
The first factor can be overlooked, but it is very important. At first, we were hunters and even scavengers, since it was not always possible to hunt or get hold of large animals. After a few years, we learned to plant and harvest, which made it unnecessary to spend all day hunting, turning from carnivores to omnivores. And not only did they learn to plant and harvest, but they managed to train and manage certain animals to be able to make the first farm prototypes. We have become much taller and have much better health over time, among many issues, because more and more food is eaten and there is a more balanced and complete diet.
Skull
Over the years and after thousands of studies, we have been able to observe a tremendous evolution of our skull, reaching almost twice the size. Although this could be something insignificant or inconspicuous, the truth is that it is very significant that our skull is so large today compared to what it was thousands of years ago. This goes beyond a physical evolution, since it was our brain, which was becoming more efficient, the one that needed a larger skull size to be able to give all its performance and reach the point where society is today. day.
Effectiveness
Yes, the effectiveness in certain aspects or behaviors has led us to be what we are today. For example, the efficiency when hunting, thanks to the tools that we were able to make in the past, we managed to hunt larger pieces or prey; it took less time to do it and we didn’t lose as many members of the tribes. Not only that, but the effectiveness when it comes to being able to create fire from nothing or create other elements, such as the wheel; It made us grow much faster than we could ever think.
Language
Lastly, and possibly the most important, is the language factor. This factor is the key to our evolution, to the point that today the language is very different in each of the different places on the planet and we can use it in written and oral ways, in addition to new types of language that we could never reach. to imagine We have gone, as beings, from communicating through gestures and signs to giving a name to each of the things that surrounds us and being able to accurately express everything we want, need or feel.
Differences between humanization and hominization
Although you have surely heard of the terms throughout your student days, on many occasions the concepts will have been mixed up and they may even have been poorly explained to you. To better understand each of them, it is best to define them separately.
- Hominization is the process by which we become human. This is a very long process, an evolutionary biological process that takes millions of years.
- Humanization includes a process, which is also an evolutionary process, but not a biological one. It is a social process that we learn through factors such as language and culture.
As you can see, the processes are totally contrary to each other, while one is based on our biological evolution, from when we started from being animals to becoming the humans we are today; the process of humanization is about the process that makes us evolve as social beings and that has allowed us to come to live in a joint society.
Theories of human evolution
Did you know that Africa is considered the cradle of mankind? It is there that the first Homos appeared, just as it was also in Africa that the first Homo Sapiens arose. Specifically, you have to go to Tanzania, to the olduvai gorge, to really be before the cradle of humanity. It is in this place where there is a concentration of deposits from more than two million years ago, which are the source for knowing how homonization, human evolution, has been taking place. Other fundamental deposits are Laetoli, Peninj, Isimila, there is a concentration of them next to the seasonal Lake Eyasi, which have allowed us to reconstruct the evolution of the human being from 3.6 million years ago to the present day. For example, to give you an idea of the transcendence and the fundamental value that Tanzania (specifically in Laetoli) contributes to the history of man, in 1978, the fossilized hominid footprints that were more than 3.6 million years old of seniority; the discoverer of it was the anthropoloag Mary Leakey. It is considered one of the most important paleoanthropological finds in history and if you see the photographs it is absolutely impressive.
To give you some more curious information, the first hominids began by eating only vegetables but, later, they included meat in their diet. They believe that this change in their diet would have to do with the increase in the size of the brain.
The study of human evolution began in 1859 and the reality is that it continues today, despite the fact that money is not always allocated for the investigation and recovery of fossils and finds. Many years ago, evolution began to be on everyone’s lips due to the publication of “The Origin of Species” by Charles Darwinwhere he exposes his Theory of Evolution, based on three fundamental premises:
- The different species have their origin in the evolution of a previous species.
- This evolution is governed by the principle of Natural selection. Only those species that best adapt to changes evolve.
- The human being has its origin in already extinct species descended from primates.
in 1870 Gregor Mendel contributed the Mendelian Laws, explaining the factors that have influence when looking for the Genetic heritage. Thanks to Darwin’s theories and Mendel’s Laws, theories of human evolution began to develop.
The man is a hominid, more specifically a homo, belonging to the hominoid branch of the higher primates. This would be our cataloging from the zoological point of view.
From an evolutionary point of view, the human evolution tree accepted in the scientific community is the following:
Features chart:
*Millions of years
The long evolutionary process that includes both the evolution tree and the characteristics table is known as the hominization processwhich transformed the primates to give rise to Homo Sapiens.
Characteristics of hominization
The hominization process is an evolutionary process that collects both the anatomical changes and the cultural evolution of these species, since some are intimately linked to others. This process collects the evolution of the human being and all the specific characteristics that differentiate us from the rest of the primates.
The characteristics of this evolution and that differentiate us from primates are: bipedalism, upright position, increased brain size, decreased jaws, symbolic language.
Skeletal changes associated with the upright position
Australopithecus was the first species to adopt an upright position. This led to a series of important modifications in the skeleton:
- The lower extremities, prepared for life in the trees, lengthen and the foot is fully supported, placing the big toe on the same plane as the rest, thus facilitating upright position. At the same time, the upper limbs shorten and the hands become shorter and broader, in addition to having an opposable thumb.
- The spinal column becomes S-shapedwhich makes it easier for the skull to insert into the column at its base to support the weight of the head.
- Pelvis becomes more narrow and strongerto support the weight of the viscera (intestines) and facilitate the muscle building of the buttocks and legs.
The most accepted theory In relation to the reason for this change, he explains that it is a consequence of the adaptation to life in the African savannah. The arid climate of this environment forces the species to stand up in order to receive less sun and less heat as it moves away from the ground. At the same time fulfilling the function of being able to see above the vegetation.
Increased cranial capacity
As seen in the characteristics table, cranial capacity has tripled during the hominization process. The brain collects and processes all the information that we collect through the senses and determines the response that we are going to offer to the stimuli that we receive. The cranial capacity was increasing to the extent that they made greater use of the brain.
immature fetus births
The narrowing of the pelvis associated with the upright position caused the birth canal to also narrow, so that the fetus had to be expelled before its final maturation. This allowed a long upbringing and a long learning process of language, culture, and the tools necessary for adaptation and survival.
hominization processes
Australopithecus
Australopithecus Anamensis, the oldest, was vegetarian and without the ability to build tools, with a brain capacity of 300cc. He was a vegetarian but started eating meat and had the ability to make tools very simple. His brain capacity was around 450cc.
homo habilis
Homo Habilis existed 2.5 million years ago, it was the first omnivore that made tools on a regular basis. He abandoned them after using them, mainly for hunting and cutting up food. It is believed that they already possessed a rudimentary language. Being of a size similar to the Australopithecines, its brain capacity is almost double, 650cc.
homo ergaster
Homo Ergaster existed 1.8 million years ago and, like its predecessor, made tools for hunting, among others. It is believed that it consumed more meat than the previous Homo and had a greater cranial capacity. Fossils of it have been found in Asia, North Africa and Europe.
homo erectus
Homo erectus lived 1.6 million years ago. It had the ability to make tools and utensils for hunting; he mastered fire and was able to conserve it. It is believed that it already had a primitive language that allowed it to communicate.