The Discovery Of The Earliest Human Ancestor | First Human | Timeline
TLDRIn 2001, an extraordinary fossil discovery in Kenya revealed evidence of a human ancestor dubbed 'Millennium Man', estimated to be 6 million years old. Analysis showed this creature likely walked upright on two legs, indicating bipedalism emerged much earlier than previously thought, originating in tree-dwelling ancestors rather than open grasslands. Nicknamed Orrorin tugenensis or 'original man', it had teeth and bones remarkably similar to modern humans, suggesting an omnivorous diet and arms suited to climbing. This combination of human-like bipedalism with ape-like climbing anatomy provides insights into an early stage of human evolution when our ancestors were transitioning from forest habitats to life on the ground.
Takeaways
- 😲The roots of human origins and evolution are mysterious and early human fossils are extremely rare.
- 🧠Bipedalism (walking upright) is a key human trait that distinguishes us from other primates.
- 🦴In 2000, important fossil discoveries in Kenya revealed a possible 6-million-year-old human ancestor dubbed 'Millennium Man'.
- 👀Studying the bones and teeth of fossils provides clues into how these early humans lived and behaved.
- 🕵️♂️Determining the age of fossils is challenging but can be done by studying the geology and dating surrounding rocks.
- 🚶♂️Evidence suggests Millennium Man was bipedal, meaning human origins are far older than previously thought.
- 🌳Bipedalism may have first evolved in tree-dwelling ancestors rather than on the open savannah.
- 🐒Millennium Man likely lived in small social groups and ate a varied omnivorous diet like modern apes.
- 😱Predators like big cats preyed on Millennium Man, as evidenced by tooth marks on some bones.
- 🧬Piecing together human evolution from limited fossil evidence remains an extraordinary challenge.
Q & A
How old are the fossils discovered in Kenya that scientists claim to be an ancient human ancestor?
-The fossils are claimed to be over 6 million years old, dating back to a mysterious point in human evolution when we descended from the trees.
What evidence suggests that Orrorin tugenensis walked on two legs?
-A CT scan of the fossilized femur shows thicker bone on the underside of the neck, which would have supported the extra weight in a bipedal creature. This is key evidence it walked upright.
What does the name Orrorin tugenensis mean and who named it?
-Orrorin tugenensis means 'original man' in the Tugen language. The local people suggested the name which the scientists adopted as they felt it was appropriate.
What can the teeth fossils of Orrorin tugenensis tell us about its likely diet?
-The low, flat back teeth are well suited to crushing and pulverizing hard foods like nuts and seeds. This suggests Orrorin was probably an omnivore that ate fruits, nuts, berries and insects.
What evidence suggests Orrorin tugenensis lived in groups rather than solitary?
-Living primates today almost all live in mixed sex social groups, so there is no reason to think this is a recent development. It likely lived in multi-male, multi-female groups.
How might Orrorin tugenensis have protected itself from predators in the area?
-Tooth marks show some fossils were preyed on by big cats. Like chimps today, Orrorin may have made nests and slept in trees at night for added safety.
What theory for the evolution of bipedalism does Orrorin challenge?
-It challenges the idea that upright walking appeared after savannas formed. Orrorin lived in forests, so bipedalism clearly pre-dates that environmental change.
How might walking upright first have evolved in tree-dwelling apes?
-Reaching to gather fruit may have led to extended hip joints. Coupled with using vines, this may have enabled upright posture needed for bipedalism.
What are some advantages of bipedalism over quadrupedal movement?
-Advantages include free hands, more maneuverability and agility, the ability to see further, and reduced mechanical complexity with fewer limbs to control.
What evidence shows Orrorin was still adept at climbing trees?
-Features of the arm and finger bones, like curvature and muscle attachment sites, indicate it had adaptations suited to climbing and hanging from branches.
Outlines
😯 Discovery of Possible Earliest Human Ancestor Bones in Kenya
Describes the chance discovery in 2000 by fossil hunter Kamoya Kimeu of ancient hominid teeth in Kenya. These are later found to be part of a possible 6 million year old human ancestor dubbed 'Millennium Man' or 'Orrorin', drastically stretching back the timeline for human origins.
😲 Additional Bones Found, Including Thighbone and Arm Bone Fragments
Details further fossils found at the Orrorin dig site by Martin Pickford and Brigitte Senut, including key bones like a thighbone and arm bone. In total 13 fossil fragments are uncovered, appearing far older than comparable finds.
😮 Challenge of Confirming Remains as Earliest Human Ancestor
Discusses the difficulty of confirming the Orrorin fossils as an early human ancestor rather than just an ancient ape, given the complexity of the human evolutionary tree. A key distinguishing feature is bipedalism or upright walking, for which clear evidence is still needed.
🧐 Using Geology to Estimate Age of Fossils
Explains how the age of the Orrorin fossils is estimated using radiometric dating of the volcanic rocks above and below the sedimentary layer they were found in. Initial findings date them to 6 million years, drastically older than previous hominid finds.
😥 Concern Fossils Were Moved From Original Stratigraphic Position
Raises worries that the Orrorin fossils may have been washed into younger sediments, calling into question their ancient age. However other mammal fossils found alongside provide reassurance about the context.
💡 Insights From Other Mammal Fossils About Orrorin Environment
Notes that the huge variety of other mammal fossils found with Orrorin, like ancient elephants and monkeys, reinforce the habitat as thickly forested near lakes and rivers. This paints a picture of Orrorin being adapted for tree climbing.
😨 Evidence of Predators Feeding on Orrorin Group
Highlights evidence that Orrorin fell prey to big cats and other carnivores, based on tooth marks and scratch marks seen on some bones. This predation probably led to the concentration of fossils found at one place.
❓ Mystery of What Drove Evolution of Bipedalism
Discusses how walking upright differentiates humans but how and why this trait evolved so early is puzzling. Changing savanna environment idea now seems wrong with Orrorin living in forests.
🐒 Insights on Bipedalism From Studying Orangutans
Details research on orangutan movement in trees providing clues to how an upright walking style could have evolved in a forest context. Their balance abilities hint at possible evolutionary pathway.
😀 Conclusion - Evidence Supports Orrorin As Earliest Upright Walking Human Ancestor
Summarizes how the accumulated evidence from geology, associated species, and anatomical features like leg bone design supports the interpretation of Orrorin as an early upright walking hominid ancestral to humans.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡bipedalism
💡evolution
💡Orrorin
💡fossils
💡trees
💡adaptation
💡chimpanzee
💡Habitat
💡predecessor
💡canine tooth
Highlights
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Transcripts
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