human evolution
Primate lineage progression
Human evolution is the biological and cultural development of the human species from earlier primates over millions of years.
The term covers physical changes—upright posture, larger brains, tool use—as well as the emergence of language, social structures, and technology.
The fossil record provides key evidence for human evolution.
In debates about science education, human evolution often serves as a flashpoint between evolutionary biology and religious belief.
Extinct hominin genus
- Homo erectusExtinct bipedal human ancestor
- NeanderthalExtinct archaic human species
- Homo heidelbergensisPrehistoric human species, mid-Pleistocene
- ArdipithecusEarliest known upright primate genus
Science of ancestral human remains
- LeakeyRenowned fossil-hunting clan
- excavationAct of unearthing
- cranial capacitySkull's internal volume
- fossil recordRemains documenting prehistoric life
dating methods · stratigraphy · Rift Valley · reconstruction · missing link
Differential reproductive success
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
- speciationFormation of distinct species
phenotype · genotype · alleles · gene pool · genetic drift · inheritance · reproductive success · fitness
Creating implements for work
- fireCombustion with flames
- stone toolsShaped rocks for tasks
- hand axePrimitive stone cutting tool
- flakingShedding in layers
cooking · shelter · clothing · spear · blade · grinding · projectile · Paleolithic
Walking on two limbs
- opposable thumbDigit that meets fingertips
- brain sizeVolume of cerebral matter
- upright postureVertical body alignment
- vocal tractSound-shaping airway passage
brow ridge · dentition · gracile · robust · neoteny · hairlessness · sweating · color vision
System of symbolic communication
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- abstract thoughtCognition beyond tangible reality
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- problem-solvingAddressing challenges methodically
social learning · theory of mind · planning · creativity · memory · communication · cooperation · teaching
Spreading in many directions
- land bridgeTerrain joining two continents
- BeringiaFormer land connecting continents
- coastal routePath following the waterline
- colonizationForeign territorial takeover
population movement · island hopping · climate adaptation · admixture
Australopithecus
Extinct hominin genus
- Homo erectusExtinct bipedal human ancestor
- NeanderthalExtinct archaic human species
- Homo heidelbergensisPrehistoric human species, mid-Pleistocene
Ardipithecus · Lucy · Peking Man · Homo sapiens · interbreeding
paleoanthropology
Science of ancestral human remains
- LeakeyRenowned fossil-hunting clan
- excavationAct of unearthing
- cranial capacitySkull's internal volume
fossil record · dating methods · stratigraphy · Rift Valley · reconstruction · missing link
natural selection
Differential reproductive success
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- geneticsScience of hereditary transmission
- adaptationFitting to new conditions
speciation · phenotype · genotype · alleles · gene pool · genetic drift · inheritance · reproductive success · fitness · variation
toolmaking
Creating implements for work
- fireCombustion with flames
- stone toolsShaped rocks for tasks
- hand axePrimitive stone cutting tool
flaking · cooking · shelter · clothing · spear · blade · grinding · projectile · Paleolithic · Neolithic
bipedalism
Walking on two limbs
- opposable thumbDigit that meets fingertips
- brain sizeVolume of cerebral matter
- upright postureVertical body alignment
vocal tract · brow ridge · dentition · gracile · robust · neoteny · hairlessness · sweating · color vision
language
System of symbolic communication
- symbolismRepresenting concepts through images
- abstract thoughtCognition beyond tangible reality
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
problem-solving · social learning · theory of mind · planning · creativity · memory · communication · cooperation · teaching · imitation
dispersal
Spreading in many directions
- land bridgeTerrain joining two continents
- BeringiaFormer land connecting continents
- coastal routePath following the waterline
colonization · population movement · island hopping · climate adaptation · admixture
- evolutionnatural selection, mutation, adaptation, speciation, fitness
- prehistorystone tools, Neolithic, Stone Age, caveman, cavemen
- anthropologyfieldwork, ethnography, paleoanthropology, ethnology, archaeology
- human biologygenetics, DNA analysis, nutrition, Homo sapiens, physical traits
- human evolutionHomo erectus, Homo sapiens, Neanderthal, Neanderthals, Cro-Magnon
- human originsHomo sapiens, Cro-Magnon, Neanderthals, Homo erectus, Australopithecus
human evolutioncreationism
Divine origin doctrine
intelligent design · divine creation · special creation · creation science · spontaneous generation
human, evolve, humans, evolution, humane, humanity, inhuman, humankind, superhuman