Neogene Life and Human Evolution from Early Apes to Australopithecus to Homo

Explore the fascinating evolution of life during the Neogene Period, focusing on the development of early apes to Australopithecus and eventually Homo sapiens. Delve into the environmental changes that shaped the emergence of bipedalism, larger brains, and tool use in early hominins. Discover the key evolutionary stages, including Homo habilis, Homo erectus, and Homo heidelbergensis, leading to the divergence of Neanderthals and modern humans. Learn about the interbreeding between these species and the cultural advancements that propelled Homo sapiens to become Earth's dominant species. Gain insights into the unusual mass extinction event around 6-7 million years ago and its impact on mammalian evolution. This comprehensive overview covers marine life adaptations, the expansion of grasslands, and the cascading effects on animal diversity throughout the Neogene Period.

Life Events in the Neogene
Marine Life
Cooling & Drying changed environments
Animal success cascaded up food web
Large mammals during Neogene
Unusual mass extinction ~6-7 Ma
When Apes evolved
When Hominins evolved
Australopithecus led Homo
Homo Habilis Handy Man made tools
Baby brains of Australopithecus vs Homo
Aridity forced Australopithecus to leave trees
Larger pelvises allowed larger brains
Homo erectus & Flores people
Homo heidelbergensis
Neanderthal brains & culture
Homo sapiens tools & jewelry
When Neanderthals & Humans Interbred
Human cultural evolution
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