STUDY - Technical - New Dacian's Medicine
The Human's Story - The Proto-Hominids
Translation Draft
I have presented many „previous” elements to the subject itself, evolutionary, but all these will have a reason that will be revealed at the end of this series of posts. Now what will follow is an almost exclusively anthropological approach that completes the painting so far.
An approach that deprives me of the possibility of approaching the problems and from a creationist point of view … But the time of the „connections” will come as well …
The oldest „traces” of mammals that will become primates appear 50 million years ago (the species Natharctus Tenebrosus), on a warming planet allowing the existence of dense jungles, with abundant food, especially fruit.
The first element of „connection”, in addition to talking about a mammal, is the life of the climber and the clapping hand with the diverging thumb and the other long fingers and nails instead of claws (which, however, as you read more early, it has its origin in fish).
„Connection” that, most appropriately, can be correlated with primates, with what is Sapiens as „order”.
This adaptation of the „clapping hand” is because these primates were small animals and exploited the possibility to feed on the thin branches, adapting a relatively opposable finger indicating this.
Other authors/researchers place the moment of the appearance of our ancestors somewhere 30 million years ago but, all these primates, those that are interested in human evolution are grouped under the name of „Homininae”.
Nonetheless, there is a long evolutionary road ahead … If we were to compress these 30 million years in a single year, the road from monkey to a human would mean the period from January 1 to December 28. And the great migration of modern man with its result consisting in the conquest of the whole earth by Sapiens would be somewhere in the morning of December 31st … So …
Some scientific references place the „first step towards Homo Sapiens” as the so-called „Purolopithecus”, which lived 30 million years ago in the tropical forests of the current Mediterranean (which at that time was an ocean, Africa and the Arabian peninsula not being united from Asia). This primate species was „almost” a monkey and lived in trees but, because it was already a larger animal, evolutionarily developed bipedal walking to use the advantage of walking on the thick branches of trees and feeding easy on them.
It is assumed that, from this moment, the social groups of this species took the first steps towards the social organization, with elements such as vegetation beds and sleeping areas in trees, which attracted the development of social rules in which empathy and sympathy „Imprint” in the genes and behavioral typology of individuals.
It is also now assumed that, given the increased safety of the individual due to the group, prolonged sleep appeared, considered to be a particularly important factor in the functional development of the brain (and not necessarily its physical dimensions).
This period of about 20 million years, from Tenebrosus to Purolopithecus, or either, only to Purolopithecus, represents the period when hominid primates lose their tail. In our body, we find the vestiges related to the presence of the monkey’s tail, which is at the base of our column in the form of the coccyx. And not only is this „trace” a record of our primate, monkey past.
Everything is due to the forms of group coexistence and the modification of the “social” type environment, which allowed a predominantly bipedal kind of life even under “climbers” conditions.
The life in the trees attracted another change of our „ancestors”, the one represented by the disposition of the eyeballs, the eyes but also, of course, related to the perception of colors (estimated to be somewhere 23 million years ago). The specialization that emerged as a consequence of the need to identify the food, represented mostly by fruits, evolutionary, over time.
Studies have shown that many of today’s primates distinguish a limited color palette due to the reduced number of opsins (1 or at most 2, compared to humans who have three types of opsins) from „cone” retinal cells in the macula lutea (cells with sticks giving information only on the presence and variation of light without giving information about colors).
But this „limited” perception is due not only to this small number of opinions but also to the brain’s adaptation to perceiving and interpreting the information received due to these opinions. The brain that, anyway, is permanently adapting to the predominant lifestyle, even during the life of an individual and not necessarily by genetic transfer.
The experiments carried out on monkeys confirm that the „insertion” of additional views entails the possibility of „using” the information provided by them only after an adaptation period. But the „improved” perception always appears …
Moreover, genetic studies show that the number of opsins of the human eye is due to a DNA copying (duplication) of the information of an existing opsin, with small errors that attracted the development of the eye to what we now know as the human eye, with the perception of the three types of a wavelength of light, basic for our eye (RGB – Red / Red, Green / Green, and Blue / Blue).
But this development of vision has attracted, apparently, a reduction of the smell, because it was no longer necessary as long as the view provided the main information … Nowadays, over 70% of the information received by the human brain originates from vision, the smell remains a factor of the primary or associated perceptions, especially at the unconscious level.
This finding is based, first of all, on the presence of about 600 genes related to odor, but which are inactive, due to their non-use over time (nature working according to the „use or lose” algorithm). So, it is a long process of loss, which seems to have started in these times, without losing sight of the possible lack of identification of an undiscovered, unexplored specialization.
Now comes the time when the tectonic plate of Africa met the plate of Europe, climate change being major, which attracted the massive decline of tropical forests and thus the need for the exodus appeared, the proto-hominins migrating to the territories of Asia and Africa. For example, the Mediterranean has reduced its size immensely to become a great death and in Africa tropical forests have begun to develop massively.
Thus, a new „step” of the hominids represented by Sahelanthopus appeared. He would be the first hominid to live in mixed, arboreal, and terrestrial conditions.
For this reason, the bipedal posture is accentuated, the tools accessible from the forest become generally used and, according to many authors, it seems that social interactions and some other evolutionary revelations have increased.
For example, the bipedal posture demanded new ways of approaching the intimate life, being clear that during this period the practice of breastfeeding (partner’s conviction) became widespread, which attracted the strengthening of the intergroup relations based on feelings (empathy, affective relationships, etc. – including sex now assumed face positioning).
These „statements” are based on the fact that the life of these hominids is still heavily dependent on the forest, which attracts the „deepening” of social inter-relationships and the development of deeply human relationships. Which, however, it is obvious that it is deepening, adapting, from one generation to another, including modern primates …
And, it seems that in this period, especially due to the use of the primitive tools, „rough”, appeared the „organized” aggression, described today by the term „war”, regardless of its motive (proof is also the aggressive behavior of the organized today’s primates).
Of course, now, proto-hominids are starting to refine, perceive the concept of death, loss of being more and more different from the past, and, very likely, the first burial rituals are taking place (a fact also found in chimpanzees nowadays. ).
All of this may seem speculative but, by comparative „indirect evaluation”, in these moments of proto-humanities, the brain seems to have the dimensions of primates in today’s times, and we cannot suspect our ancestors that it would be „Smarter” …
But the tropical balance was going to change, somewhere between 10 and 11 million years ago, central and eastern Africa would be severely affected, losing most of the forests over time, the Sahara desert separating the northern and central parts of southern and eastern Africa. the Asian area becoming a new Eden kind of proto-hominid.
Then, only 7 million years ago, the first traces of the emergence of grass (suddenly and everywhere, as if supporting the unified field theory) appear, determining the appearance of savannahs with their herds of herbivores, determining the adaptation of the „incipient” primates to this new environment, against the backdrop of diminishing habitat related to jungle/forest.
This shift to the mixed but predominantly terrestrial living environment (tree life remaining a kind of refuge, dwelling place), determined the evolution of the primates towards bipedal walking, releasing the hands that began to evolve „firmly” to their form of tool users.
Thus, the development of hominids goes into a new, truly „explosive” stage, during which time the starting points are placed in the evolution of numerous related species.
As a kind of evolutionary „aura”, even now, genetic determinations (DNA) clarify a clear evolutionary breakdown of modern humans to monkeys, and from this moment we can speak of „precursors” Homininae.
The oldest belonging to the „Homininae”, it is accepted that it would be „Orrorin Tugenesis” (orrorin = the original man, discovered in 2000 on the Tugen Hills of Kenya), which existed 5.7 – 6.1 million years ago ( it is estimated that its period of existence is 5 – 8 million years ago).
This finding leads to the conclusion that the human development line does not belong to the line of „Australopithecines” (monkey humans) or that of Ardipithecus (another line of monkey humans) but is a parallel line with them (especially after genetic confirmation. of the fact that the Neanderthal Man is a species quite different from that of the hominids that led to the modern man).
It went bipedal, the transition from monkeys to humans, but still holds more than the evolution in the forest/jungle environment, which is why the „certification” of „more monkeys” continues, although more than 20 have been discovered. of skeletons up to this time that disregards these considerations.
From the „line” of the Ardipithecines, it would be remembered (mainly because they were mostly bipedal) of Ardipithecus Ramidus, who lived 4.4 million years ago and Ardipithecus Kadabba who lived 5.6 million years ago, both related, „Found” in the Affar depression in Ethiopia, but they have a clear separation to the chimpanzee line, being very similar to them, being species more adapted to life in trees/trees (but having the first changes of basin bones that allow hypotheses that they would be had gone mostly biped).
Their food was mainly represented by the vegetable products (very similar to the monkeys of today) but not only the arboreal ones but mostly the terrestrial ones. The development of carpians towards the human form may be due to this type of „collector” food, including the „inclination” towards the use of primitive, incipient tools, useful especially in the digging and processing of the roots.
There are also indications regarding the considerable social life of the members of these species as well as a seemingly insignificant detail, related to an accelerated growth rate of offspring/children of all species of human primitive lines, maturity intervening rapidly, at the age of 7 to 8 years.
Another clear element determined by the studies on Ardipithecus is the one related to the clear evidence on the appearance of the articulated language, of the modulated vocalizations, advanced against the current language of the primates, comparable to those of an actual human child.
Plus, a specialization of the lower limbs that presents a „detachment” of the thumb from the plantar trunk, suggesting predominantly bipedal walking, these primates being neither monkeys nor humans. All this „detail” suggests and complements the theories that say that bipedal walking did not necessarily appear as a consequence of living in the open environment (savanna, etc.), the Ardipithecines living undoubtedly in forests.
And, it is the moment when the American continents (South and North America) meet, 5 million years ago, the Atlantic current (Gulf Stream) was born, which will attract major climate changes that will attract the formation of the Arctic ice cap. and, over time, the ice ages.
Now is the time when the academic world confirms the emergence of the oldest „ancestor” of man, discovered so far, with an age of 3.2 – 3.5 million years (which puts his period of existence 3 – 4 years ago millions of years), in the Hadar Valley of Ethiopia, giving it the name of Australopithecus Afarensis (the famous „Lucy” skeleton).
He walked almost bipedally, on short distances (considered one of the basic evolutionary characteristics of human ancestors) – revealed by changes of the skeleton to bipedal walking, lived in trees (although the positioning of the fingers reveals weight in the adaptation to climbing) but also in spaces open, their dimensions being about one meter high, 30 – 35 kg weight and the brain size of 400 ccs (between 380 – 420 ccs), identical in size to that of „modern” primates.
Bipedal walking is „demonstrated” not only by the structure of the bones of the basin but also by traces of hominids imprinted in volcanic ash during an eruption of 3.7 million years ago that appears to belong to the species Afarensis or a „closely related” species.
It seems that family/group organization was no longer similar to that of monkeys, with a dominant male, much larger than females, which had a group of females as a family, with australopithecines having a clear tendency towards monogamy, the male having the role of supply and the female of family organization, in a sort of clear organizational resonance, identical to that of Ardipithecus.
At this time, during this period we can observe a massive diversity of evolutionary lines differentiated by very small characteristics that „describes” a clear diversity, a kind of great half-breeding of the existing species, a fact demonstrated by the increasing number of species discoveries. of proto-hominids during this period.
For example, Australopithecus Africanus would be the next evolutionary step or one of parallel evolution, being part of the group of australopithecines as well. This species lived in the savanna, in open spaces, there is evidence that it used the stone tools (used especially for crushing the bones) but was not a hunter but a collector, possibly an opportunist in terms of meat supply. Its dimensions were represented by the height around one meter, 1.20 meters, weight 35-40 kg, the cranial capacity of 440 ccs, highlighting the growth trends in dimensions on all landmarks.
And, at one point, through these „times”, it reaches a kind of „rupture”, a point that can be identified as a period of „refining” and delimiting future developments of proto-hominids. From this moment a clear „geographical distribution” will be noticed that will initiate all the considerations on migration, lay-up, infiltration, etc. of the paleontological researchers.
In this sense, it would be worth mentioning about Homo Floresiensis, a species very close to Australopitec, living 3 million years ago, which can only be found in the areas of Southeast Asia, as a kind of evolution of some precursor primates in these areas. ….
It had very small dimensions, also called „The Hobbit”, and it proved to be a parallel evolution but directly related to Homo Erectus which, due to the lack of food and the difficult living conditions of 3 million years ago, developed in this small form. dimensions, proving the impulse that attracted the later migrations of Homo Habilis and / or Homo Erectus.
For example, from australopithecine, with the „small variations” / „ramifications” represented by Kenyathropus and the Paranthropus lines, the rupture appears, a true „missing link”, until now there is no clear link between these predecessors and Homo Habilis, as a base of a certain departure for the modern man, towards Sapiens.
Among these „small variations” can be mentioned the Australopithecus Sediba, which is about 1.9 – 2 million years old, being exactly at the limit of „rupture” between the lines of australopithecine and the proto-hominid that was called Homo habilis.
And, here we come to this „controversial” Homo Habilis …
It has been developed in the area of South Africa and, to this „hominid”, the first shreds of evidence regarding the use of bone and wood tools appear.
The „connections” with the forest are still maintained but, this time, they carry out most of their activities in the open savanna area. Bipedal walking specializes, as well as tools.
An important fact is nutrition that becomes quite focused also on vegetables (roots, seeds, etc.), as evidenced by the traces of the dentitions discovered. But the weight of the meat increases, until now being only a supplement of „opportunity”, through access to the savanna, which will attract, according to some researchers, the massive development of the brain (less energy consumed for digestion and long-term nutrition for harvesting, processing, etc. representing more time for nourishment and brain development), muscular development (hominid stroke becoming bigger but weaker), development of hunting techniques, tools and more.
Bipedal walking is becoming more and more specialized, and so hands are truly free to handle different objects, tools, food, etc. And many other benefits …
Certain it is just that other researchers believe that brain development would not be due to a „protein specialization” of nutrition by increasing access to meat, they undoubtedly prove that it would be just the growth of the elements „to be processed” by the brain, from the point of view. view of the living environment, which has attracted the continuous development of the neocortex, its specialization, and, consequently, the increase of the general dimensions of the brain …
Continue tomorrow, as I tend to keep posts within a limit of 2 to 3,000 words. Thanks for understanding!
Love, Gratitude, and Understanding (Namaste)!
I have presented many „previous” elements to the subject itself, evolutionary, but all these will have a reason that will be revealed at the end of this series of posts. Now what will follow is an almost exclusively anthropological approach that completes the painting so far.
An approach that deprives me of the possibility of approaching the problems and from a creationist point of view … But the time of the „connections” will come as well …
The oldest „traces” of mammals that will become primates appear 50 million years ago (the species Natharctus Tenebrosus), on a warming planet allowing the existence of dense jungles, with abundant food, especially fruit.
The first element of „connection”, in addition to talking about a mammal, is the life of the climber and the clapping hand with the diverging thumb and the other long fingers and nails instead of claws (which, however, as you read more early, it has its origin in fish).
„Connection” that, most appropriately, can be correlated with primates, with what is Sapiens as „order”.
This adaptation of the „clapping hand” is because these primates were small animals and exploited the possibility to feed on the thin branches, adapting a relatively opposable finger indicating this.
Other authors/researchers place the moment of the appearance of our ancestors somewhere 30 million years ago but, all these primates, those that are interested in human evolution are grouped under the name of „Homininae”.
Nonetheless, there is a long evolutionary road ahead … If we were to compress these 30 million years in a single year, the road from monkey to a human would mean the period from January 1 to December 28. And the great migration of modern man with its result consisting in the conquest of the whole earth by Sapiens would be somewhere in the morning of December 31st … So …
Some scientific references place the „first step towards Homo Sapiens” as the so-called „Purolopithecus”, which lived 30 million years ago in the tropical forests of the current Mediterranean (which at that time was an ocean, Africa and the Arabian peninsula not being united from Asia). This primate species was „almost” a monkey and lived in trees but, because it was already a larger animal, evolutionarily developed bipedal walking to use the advantage of walking on the thick branches of trees and feeding easy on them.
It is assumed that, from this moment, the social groups of this species took the first steps towards the social organization, with elements such as vegetation beds and sleeping areas in trees, which attracted the development of social rules in which empathy and sympathy „Imprint” in the genes and behavioral typology of individuals.
It is also now assumed that, given the increased safety of the individual due to the group, prolonged sleep appeared, considered to be a particularly important factor in the functional development of the brain (and not necessarily its physical dimensions).
This period of about 20 million years, from Tenebrosus to Purolopithecus, or either, only to Purolopithecus, represents the period when hominid primates lose their tail. In our body, we find the vestiges related to the presence of the monkey’s tail, which is at the base of our column in the form of the coccyx. And not only is this „trace” a record of our primate, monkey past.
Everything is due to the forms of group coexistence and the modification of the “social” type environment, which allowed a predominantly bipedal kind of life even under “climbers” conditions.
The life in the trees attracted another change of our „ancestors”, the one represented by the disposition of the eyeballs, the eyes but also, of course, related to the perception of colors (estimated to be somewhere 23 million years ago). The specialization that emerged as a consequence of the need to identify the food, represented mostly by fruits, evolutionary, over time.
Studies have shown that many of today’s primates distinguish a limited color palette due to the reduced number of opsins (1 or at most 2, compared to humans who have three types of opsins) from „cone” retinal cells in the macula lutea (cells with sticks giving information only on the presence and variation of light without giving information about colors).
But this „limited” perception is due not only to this small number of opinions but also to the brain’s adaptation to perceiving and interpreting the information received due to these opinions. The brain that, anyway, is permanently adapting to the predominant lifestyle, even during the life of an individual and not necessarily by genetic transfer.
The experiments carried out on monkeys confirm that the „insertion” of additional views entails the possibility of „using” the information provided by them only after an adaptation period. But the „improved” perception always appears …
Moreover, genetic studies show that the number of opsins of the human eye is due to a DNA copying (duplication) of the information of an existing opsin, with small errors that attracted the development of the eye to what we now know as the human eye, with the perception of the three types of a wavelength of light, basic for our eye (RGB – Red / Red, Green / Green, and Blue / Blue).
But this development of vision has attracted, apparently, a reduction of the smell, because it was no longer necessary as long as the view provided the main information … Nowadays, over 70% of the information received by the human brain originates from vision, the smell remains a factor of the primary or associated perceptions, especially at the unconscious level.
This finding is based, first of all, on the presence of about 600 genes related to odor, but which are inactive, due to their non-use over time (nature working according to the „use or lose” algorithm). So, it is a long process of loss, which seems to have started in these times, without losing sight of the possible lack of identification of an undiscovered, unexplored specialization.
Now comes the time when the tectonic plate of Africa met the plate of Europe, climate change being major, which attracted the massive decline of tropical forests and thus the need for the exodus appeared, the proto-hominins migrating to the territories of Asia and Africa. For example, the Mediterranean has reduced its size immensely to become a great death and in Africa tropical forests have begun to develop massively.
Thus, a new „step” of the hominids represented by Sahelanthopus appeared. He would be the first hominid to live in mixed, arboreal, and terrestrial conditions.
For this reason, the bipedal posture is accentuated, the tools accessible from the forest become generally used and, according to many authors, it seems that social interactions and some other evolutionary revelations have increased.
For example, the bipedal posture demanded new ways of approaching the intimate life, being clear that during this period the practice of breastfeeding (partner’s conviction) became widespread, which attracted the strengthening of the intergroup relations based on feelings (empathy, affective relationships, etc. – including sex now assumed face positioning).
These „statements” are based on the fact that the life of these hominids is still heavily dependent on the forest, which attracts the „deepening” of social inter-relationships and the development of deeply human relationships. Which, however, it is obvious that it is deepening, adapting, from one generation to another, including modern primates …
And, it seems that in this period, especially due to the use of the primitive tools, „rough”, appeared the „organized” aggression, described today by the term „war”, regardless of its motive (proof is also the aggressive behavior of the organized today’s primates).
Of course, now, proto-hominids are starting to refine, perceive the concept of death, loss of being more and more different from the past, and, very likely, the first burial rituals are taking place (a fact also found in chimpanzees nowadays. ).
All of this may seem speculative but, by comparative „indirect evaluation”, in these moments of proto-humanities, the brain seems to have the dimensions of primates in today’s times, and we cannot suspect our ancestors that it would be „Smarter” …
But the tropical balance was going to change, somewhere between 10 and 11 million years ago, central and eastern Africa would be severely affected, losing most of the forests over time, the Sahara desert separating the northern and central parts of southern and eastern Africa. the Asian area becoming a new Eden kind of proto-hominid.
Then, only 7 million years ago, the first traces of the emergence of grass (suddenly and everywhere, as if supporting the unified field theory) appear, determining the appearance of savannahs with their herds of herbivores, determining the adaptation of the „incipient” primates to this new environment, against the backdrop of diminishing habitat related to jungle/forest.
This shift to the mixed but predominantly terrestrial living environment (tree life remaining a kind of refuge, dwelling place), determined the evolution of the primates towards bipedal walking, releasing the hands that began to evolve „firmly” to their form of tool users.
Thus, the development of hominids goes into a new, truly „explosive” stage, during which time the starting points are placed in the evolution of numerous related species.
As a kind of evolutionary „aura”, even now, genetic determinations (DNA) clarify a clear evolutionary breakdown of modern humans to monkeys, and from this moment we can speak of „precursors” Homininae.
The oldest belonging to the „Homininae”, it is accepted that it would be „Orrorin Tugenesis” (orrorin = the original man, discovered in 2000 on the Tugen Hills of Kenya), which existed 5.7 – 6.1 million years ago ( it is estimated that its period of existence is 5 – 8 million years ago).
This finding leads to the conclusion that the human development line does not belong to the line of „Australopithecines” (monkey humans) or that of Ardipithecus (another line of monkey humans) but is a parallel line with them (especially after genetic confirmation. of the fact that the Neanderthal Man is a species quite different from that of the hominids that led to the modern man).
It went bipedal, the transition from monkeys to humans, but still holds more than the evolution in the forest/jungle environment, which is why the „certification” of „more monkeys” continues, although more than 20 have been discovered. of skeletons up to this time that disregards these considerations.
From the „line” of the Ardipithecines, it would be remembered (mainly because they were mostly bipedal) of Ardipithecus Ramidus, who lived 4.4 million years ago and Ardipithecus Kadabba who lived 5.6 million years ago, both related, „Found” in the Affar depression in Ethiopia, but they have a clear separation to the chimpanzee line, being very similar to them, being species more adapted to life in trees/trees (but having the first changes of basin bones that allow hypotheses that they would be had gone mostly biped).
Their food was mainly represented by the vegetable products (very similar to the monkeys of today) but not only the arboreal ones but mostly the terrestrial ones. The development of carpians towards the human form may be due to this type of „collector” food, including the „inclination” towards the use of primitive, incipient tools, useful especially in the digging and processing of the roots.
There are also indications regarding the considerable social life of the members of these species as well as a seemingly insignificant detail, related to an accelerated growth rate of offspring/children of all species of human primitive lines, maturity intervening rapidly, at the age of 7 to 8 years.
Another clear element determined by the studies on Ardipithecus is the one related to the clear evidence on the appearance of the articulated language, of the modulated vocalizations, advanced against the current language of the primates, comparable to those of an actual human child.
Plus, a specialization of the lower limbs that presents a „detachment” of the thumb from the plantar trunk, suggesting predominantly bipedal walking, these primates being neither monkeys nor humans. All this „detail” suggests and complements the theories that say that bipedal walking did not necessarily appear as a consequence of living in the open environment (savanna, etc.), the Ardipithecines living undoubtedly in forests.
And, it is the moment when the American continents (South and North America) meet, 5 million years ago, the Atlantic current (Gulf Stream) was born, which will attract major climate changes that will attract the formation of the Arctic ice cap. and, over time, the ice ages.
Now is the time when the academic world confirms the emergence of the oldest „ancestor” of man, discovered so far, with an age of 3.2 – 3.5 million years (which puts his period of existence 3 – 4 years ago millions of years), in the Hadar Valley of Ethiopia, giving it the name of Australopithecus Afarensis (the famous „Lucy” skeleton).
He walked almost bipedally, on short distances (considered one of the basic evolutionary characteristics of human ancestors) – revealed by changes of the skeleton to bipedal walking, lived in trees (although the positioning of the fingers reveals weight in the adaptation to climbing) but also in spaces open, their dimensions being about one meter high, 30 – 35 kg weight and the brain size of 400 ccs (between 380 – 420 ccs), identical in size to that of „modern” primates.
Bipedal walking is „demonstrated” not only by the structure of the bones of the basin but also by traces of hominids imprinted in volcanic ash during an eruption of 3.7 million years ago that appears to belong to the species Afarensis or a „closely related” species.
It seems that family/group organization was no longer similar to that of monkeys, with a dominant male, much larger than females, which had a group of females as a family, with australopithecines having a clear tendency towards monogamy, the male having the role of supply and the female of family organization, in a sort of clear organizational resonance, identical to that of Ardipithecus.
At this time, during this period we can observe a massive diversity of evolutionary lines differentiated by very small characteristics that „describes” a clear diversity, a kind of great half-breeding of the existing species, a fact demonstrated by the increasing number of species discoveries. of proto-hominids during this period.
For example, Australopithecus Africanus would be the next evolutionary step or one of parallel evolution, being part of the group of australopithecines as well. This species lived in the savanna, in open spaces, there is evidence that it used the stone tools (used especially for crushing the bones) but was not a hunter but a collector, possibly an opportunist in terms of meat supply. Its dimensions were represented by the height around one meter, 1.20 meters, weight 35-40 kg, the cranial capacity of 440 ccs, highlighting the growth trends in dimensions on all landmarks.
And, at one point, through these „times”, it reaches a kind of „rupture”, a point that can be identified as a period of „refining” and delimiting future developments of proto-hominids. From this moment a clear „geographical distribution” will be noticed that will initiate all the considerations on migration, lay-up, infiltration, etc. of the paleontological researchers.
In this sense, it would be worth mentioning about Homo Floresiensis, a species very close to Australopitec, living 3 million years ago, which can only be found in the areas of Southeast Asia, as a kind of evolution of some precursor primates in these areas. ….
It had very small dimensions, also called „The Hobbit”, and it proved to be a parallel evolution but directly related to Homo Erectus which, due to the lack of food and the difficult living conditions of 3 million years ago, developed in this small form. dimensions, proving the impulse that attracted the later migrations of Homo Habilis and / or Homo Erectus.
For example, from australopithecine, with the „small variations” / „ramifications” represented by Kenyathropus and the Paranthropus lines, the rupture appears, a true „missing link”, until now there is no clear link between these predecessors and Homo Habilis, as a base of a certain departure for the modern man, towards Sapiens.
Among these „small variations” can be mentioned the Australopithecus Sediba, which is about 1.9 – 2 million years old, being exactly at the limit of „rupture” between the lines of australopithecine and the proto-hominid that was called Homo habilis.
And, here we come to this „controversial” Homo Habilis …
It has been developed in the area of South Africa and, to this „hominid”, the first shreds of evidence regarding the use of bone and wood tools appear.
The „connections” with the forest are still maintained but, this time, they carry out most of their activities in the open savanna area. Bipedal walking specializes, as well as tools.
An important fact is nutrition that becomes quite focused also on vegetables (roots, seeds, etc.), as evidenced by the traces of the dentitions discovered. But the weight of the meat increases, until now being only a supplement of „opportunity”, through access to the savanna, which will attract, according to some researchers, the massive development of the brain (less energy consumed for digestion and long-term nutrition for harvesting, processing, etc. representing more time for nourishment and brain development), muscular development (hominid stroke becoming bigger but weaker), development of hunting techniques, tools and more.
Bipedal walking is becoming more and more specialized, and so hands are truly free to handle different objects, tools, food, etc. And many other benefits …
Certain it is just that other researchers believe that brain development would not be due to a „protein specialization” of nutrition by increasing access to meat, they undoubtedly prove that it would be just the growth of the elements „to be processed” by the brain, from the point of view. view of the living environment, which has attracted the continuous development of the neocortex, its specialization, and, consequently, the increase of the general dimensions of the brain …
Continue tomorrow, as I tend to keep posts within a limit of 2 to 3,000 words. Thanks for understanding!
Love, Gratitude, and Understanding (Namaste)!
Dorin, Merticaru