Topic: Scientific Theory About Human Origin
In grade 7, we learnt that there are myths and religious stories that describe how the universe was created by a Supreme Being. In this grade, you will learn the scientific theory about human origin and why Africa is the cradle of humanity.
The scientific theory about human origin was developed by an English scientist called Charles Darwin. This theory is also called the Evolution theory. Evolution is the process by which human beings gradually advanced from simple creatures who could do very simple things, to the awesome, intelligent creatures we are today, capable of doing and accomplishing great things.
This process, evolution, happened over millions of years. Darwin worked on this theory for many years, and later wrote a book called ‘The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’ in 1859. (Was your great grandmother born then, I wonder, dear learner)
Humans underwent physical, intellectual, economic, social and cultural changes. This theory is supported by archaelogical studies of fossils excavated from several pre-historic sites such as Fort Ternan, Kariandusi, Hyrax Hills, Napak, Paraa, Ishango in Uganda, Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Once the fossils have been studied, they are taken for preservation then taken for safekeeping in museums.
Importance of Fossil Records of Human Evolution in Africa
- Fossil records provide evidence of the types of human remains that existed at a certain geological age.
- Fossil records reveal the evolutionary relationships between organisms.
- Fossil records show gradual change of organisms over a period of time.
- When a fossil is found in a particular location, the kind of environment it lived in can be deduced.
New words
Fossil – Remains of plants or animals that lived long ago.
A fossil record is a collection of fossils that show the history of life on Earth. These fossils can teach us about an extinct creatures’s size, shape, and/or behavior. Feathers, leaves, shells, bones can all become fossils.
Features of Various Species of Early Man
Aegyptopithecus: Walked on four limbs. Had a relatively small brain.
Dryopithecus: Had a smooth forehead. Canine teeth were larger than ours.
Kenyapithecus: Had massive jaws. Had large premolars.
Australopithecus: Walked on two legs. Had small brains like apes.
Homo Habilis: Had long arms and flat face.
Homo Erectus: Brain smaller than modern humans. Could walk upright.
Homo Sapiens: Has long legs. Highly developed brain.
Homo Sapiens Sapiens: Delicate bone structure. Brain capacity of 1400cc
| Fossil | Location Discovered | What Year |
| Australopithecus | Taung in Botswana | 1924 |
| Homo Sapiens | Zambia | 1933 |
| Kenyapithecus | Fort Ternan in Kenya | 1961 |
| Homo Habilis | Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania | 1964 |
| Homo Erectus | Hadar in Ethiopia | 1984 |
| Homo Sapiens Sapiens | All over the world |
Changes Which Took Place in Humans Because of Evolution
- The skull became larger
- Teeth, jaws became smaller
- Arms, hands, legs became shorter
- They began to walk upright.
- There was a reduction in the amount of hair on the body.
- The brain became bigger.
Proof That Africa Is The Cradle (Birth place) of Humankind
- A close look at the map will show you that Africa is at the centre of the world. It is from this centre point that humans may have migrated to other locations.
- The oldest fossils have been found in Africa, especially in East and South Africa.
- Early stone tools have been found in many places in Africa.
- The savannah grassland provided good hunting grounds for early humans.
- Africa has many rivers and lakes. This provided water for use for the first humans.
- The good climate of the African continent must have proven very beneficial to the first humans and have been suitable for humans to settle in.
Summary of Evolution Theory on Human Origin
Evolution is the gradual change in living things from simple to complex forms.
Human beings evolved from simple ape-like creatures with long arms, to the complex beings with high intelligence that they are today.
Fossil records are groups of fossils which have been analysed and arranged in order.
Changes that took place in humans because of evolution were several, including:
- Enlargement of the skull.
- Jaws and teeth became smaller in size.
- They became more intelligent.
- The hair on the body reduced.
- The hands became shorter.
We know that Africa is the birthplace/cradle of humankind because most archaelogical sites have been found here.
Next: Early Civilization