Human Evolution

It is a familiar fact that at one point we shared a common ancestor with chimps. The estimates which suggest that the lineage of chimps went separate ways demand a rewrite of human prehistory, starting from the beginning. The answer to human evolution lies in the fossil record. The record of fossil humans, which includes the present mankind and all the extinct relatives from after the split does not show the process very clearly, and are difficult to interpret too.

Geneticists have a lot to work with, since DNA contains telltale traces of events in a species’ past. As two species diverge from a common ancestor, their DNA becomes increasingly different largely due to the accumulation of random mutations. To estimate when the human – chimp split occurred, geneticists can simply count the differences in matching stretches of chimp and human DNA and divide it by the rate at which mutations accumulate, which is known as the molecular method. The answer lies in the speed with which mutations rise and how long ago we split from chimpanzees. Fossils lead to guess that human ancestors split from chimpanzees between 4 and 6 million years ago.

This is met with skepticism largely because of the three recently discovered fossils from Africa, predate but still bear marks of humanity which is regarded by many as post-split. Hence, it can be concluded safely that the DNA tests are also not up to the mark. The mutation rate in humans can only be predicted when the genomes of children with their parents are compared. A study conducted observes that the human lineage went its separate way at least 7 million years ago, or probably 13 million years ago.

The important discovery of the remains which were promptly claimed to be human ancestors, are the three potential new hominins in the deserts of East and Central Africa. The old molecular clock said it was too early and was dismissive of them as side-branches on the family tree, dead-end experiments in evolution with little or no relevance to the main event. There was a conflict among various theories. According to a few it is 7 to 8 million years. Others go further. To some it is 13 million-year-old split.

Some 10 to 15 million years ago the planet was covered in apes. What we see in modern humans are the types of anatomical adaptations which were shown by many of the apes. Various theories were floated; in order to bring them together it was projected by some that the ancestors develop from small primates into large apes. It now seems probable that the lineage is considerably older than once we thought which subsequently has an impact on the prehistoric man. The key finding is natural which says that the human lineage is significantly older and the closest living relatives more distant, than once thought. The present generation is under the illusion of thinking of themselves as separate and distinct from the other animals. It is a bit more separate and a bit more distinct.