Biological and Cultural

Evolution
Evolution
- descent with modification from preexisting species
- cumulative inherited change in a population of
organisms through time leading to the appearance of new
forms
- the process by which new species or populations of
living things develop from preexisting forms through
successive generations (Meriam-Websters Dictionary, 2017).
Biological Evolution
- it refers to the changes, modifications and
variations in the genetics and inherited traits of
biological populations from one generation to
another (Contreras et al., 2016).
Evolutions study the changes in:

Physical body,
Shape and size of bones,
Brain,
Dentition,
Fingers,
Posture,
Movement,
The development of bipedalism.
Cultural or sociocultural Evolution
- refers to the changes or development in
culture form a simple form to a more complex
form of human culture
- it happens as a result of human adaptation
to climatic changes and populations increase
(Contreras et al., 2016).
 “Scientists study the cultural evolution
of humans by analyzing the changes in
the way of life reflected in the different
tools and other human made objects.”
Charles Darwin
- English naturalist and
geologist
- introduced the theory of
evolution
- each species was not created
at one time in fixed form
 “Species are not immutable, but that those
belonging to what are called the genera and lineal
descendants of some other and generally extinct
species, in the same manner as the acknowledged
varieties of one any species.”

Charles Darwin
Essay, 1 whole

Make an essay of how a technology (ex.

Cellphone) change the lives of the people. Weigh
on its positive and negative impact to the society.
Charles Darwin
- hypothesized that the evolution of species happens
through the process of natural selection.
- the environment favors certain organisms and those
organisms that survive can pass on their traits.

Natural Selection
- it is the outcome of processes that affect the frequencies
of traits in a particular environment. Traits that enhance
survival and reproductive success increase in frequency over
time.
Important Principles of Natural Selection

1. Variation
- Every species is made up of a variety of individuals
wherein some are better adapted to their
environments compared to others
2. Heritability
- organisms produce progeny with different sets of
traits that can be inherited.

3. Differential reproductive success

- organisms that have traits most suitable to their
environment will survive and transfer these variations to
their offspring in subsequent
Fossils
- it refer to the human, plant,
and animals remains that have
been preserved through time
Artifacts
- refer to objects
that were made used
by humans
Hominid
- the general term used by the scientists to
categorize the group of early humans and other
humanlike creatures that can walk erect during the
prehistoric times.
Categories of Hominid
- Sahelanthropus
- Ardipithecus
- Australopithecus (first stage of evolution)
- Homo (last stage of evolution, biological and
cultural characteristics of modern man)
1. Sahelanthropus Tchadensis (6-7 million years ago)
- apelike and humanlike
- skull similar to the Australopithecus and modern
human
- height almost similar with the chimpanzee
- brain size (320-380 cubic centimeters)
- small teeth
- had the ability to walk upright
2. Orrorin tugenensis (5.7 million years)

Two Species:

Ardipithecus kadabba (5.6 million years)

Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 million years)

Ardipithecus means ape on the ground

Ramidus means root
Characteristics of Ardipithecus
- height at about 4 feet
- weight of about 120 pounds
- skull size similar to an ape
- small brain
- Biped (walks on two legs or feet)
- lived in jungles and forests like the chimpanzees
3. Australopithecus (southern ape) 5 million-1 million years ago
- brain weight 500 cubic centimeters
- upright
- biped
- tool users only and not tool makers
- used sticks and stones for digging
- lived in small social groups
- distanced on movement (15 kilometers)
- food scavengers
- ate insects, eggs, plants, fruits, and sometimes meat
Major Categories of Australopithecus:
- gracile
- robust
Gracile Australopithecine (small teeth and jaw)
- Australopithecus anamensis
- Australopithecus afarensis
- Australopithecus africanus
Australopithecus afarensis
- believed to be the common ancestor of
Australopithecus africanus, Australopithecus robustus
and Australopithecus boisei

Example: Lucy
- considered as one of modern human’s earliest
ancestors and remains as the most famous hominid fossil
discovered
4. Homo (2.4 million years, Africa)
- classified as humans and not humanlike creatures
because they had bigger brains and were bipedal

Homo habilis (handyman)

Homo erectus (upright man)
Homo sapiens (wise man)
Homo Habilis
- height 3-4 feet
- brain size half the size of the modern human (700 cc)
- made tools called Oldowan-cutting tools
- used tools for hunting and food gathering
Homo Erectus (1.8-300 000 years ago)
- brain size about 2/3 the size of the modern human
(1000 cc)
- height of above 5 feet
- walks upright
- used their intelligence to invent and develop
different technologies to respond to the needs
Homo Erectus (1.8-300 000 years ago)
- the first to use fire
- cook food and meat, drive wild animals
- lived in caves and small houses made of tree branches
- fist to use language
- named different objects, place, animals and plants
- developed religious rituals especially burial practices
- first to travel outside Africa and survive in Asia
Homo Sapiens (thinking man)
- Homo sapiens of Africa
- Homo hedeilbergensis
- Homo sapiens sapiens

- considered as modern humans

- their physical anatomy are very similar to modern
man
Homo Sapiens (thinking man)
- Large brain (1, 400 cc) that is almost to modern man
- lived in shelters
- food gatherers
- ate plants and fruits
- hunted animals
- learned to cook and gather shellfish
- used fire
- crafted metals
Cultural Characteristics of Homo Sapiens (thinking man)
- made sophisticated and smoothened tools
- developed shelters and advanced technology
- make different tools such as fish hooks, bow and
arrows, spear throwers and sewing needles
- developed oral language which used effectively in
communicating with the group