LOOKING Back to
Human Bio-
cultural and
Social Evolution
UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY AND POLITICS
Lesson 4
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Societies are said to have evolved as
human beings learned to adapt to their
environment.
Social Evolution > Socialization and
Enculturation.
Types of Societal Evolution
Biological Evolution
Bio-cultural
Evolution
Technological
Evolution
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Biological Evolution
Biologocal evolution refers to the process
whereby organisms undergo various genetic
and physical changes that pave the way for
biological diversity.
According to Fransisco Jose Ayala, “the
various types of plants, animals and other living
things have their origins in other pre-existing
types and the distinguishable differences are
due to modification in successive generations”
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Biocultural Evolution
The mutual interactive
evolution of human beings and
culture.
a basic concept in
understanding the unique
components of human
evolution.
Language, tool-making, and
technological innovation.
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Technological Evolution
a theory of radical
transformation of society
through technological
development.
For planting crops,
domesticating animals, and
trade.
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DNA MUTATION
Mutation is a change in DNA, the hereditary material of
life. An organism's DNA affects how it looks, how it
behaves, and its physiology.
Mutations are essential to evolution; they are the raw
material of genetic variation. Without mutation, evolution
could not occur.
Mutations result from errors during DNA replication
(especially during meiosis) or other types of damage to
DNA (such as may be caused by exposure to radiation or
carcinogens),
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Macroevolution and
the formation of
new species
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Macroevolution focuses on the
formation of new
species( speciation) and on the
evolutionary relationship
between groups of species.
Species is often defined as a
population capable of
interbreeding – of producing,
viable, fertile, offspring. These
species are reproductively
isolated.
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Evolution Of Man - Concepts in
Evolutionary Theory
The currently-accepted theory of the evolution of
man rests on three major principles. These
principles hinge on the innate ability which all
creatures have to pass on their genetic
information to their offspring through the
reproductive process.
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The first tenet is
microevolution, the
occurrence and build-up of mutations
in the genetic sequence of an organism.
Mutations are predominantly random
and can occur naturally through errors
in the reproductive process or through
environmental impacts such as
chemicals or radiation.
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The second tenet of evolution is
natural selection. Natural
selection is a natural mechanism by
which the fittest members of a species
survive to pass on their genetic
information, while the weakest are
eliminated (die off) because they are
unable to compete in the wild. Natural
selection is often termed "survival of the
fittest" or "elimination of the weakest."
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● The third tenet is speciation, which
occurs when members of a species mutate to
the point where they are no longer able to
breed with other members of the same species.
The new population becomes a reproductively
isolated community that is unable to breed with
its former community. Through speciation, the
genes of the new population become isolated
from the previous group.
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Early Humans…
Humans and their ancestors are distinct
among the hominoids for bipedalism, a
special form of locomotion on two feet.
For many generations, scientists
believed that the evolution of modern
humans follows an evolutionary ladder.
Early Try again!
humans
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Dryopithecus
He was the earliest known ancestor of man.
At the same time as his existence,
Ramapethicus existed who was more human-
like than Dryopethicus. Dryopethicus
inhabited the European region and some parts
of Asia and Africa. Stages of evolution of
humans began from him. After Dryopethicus
and Ramapethicus came to the genus
Australopethicus which preceded the genus
Homo
Dryopithecus
He was the earliest known ancestor of man.
At the same time as his existence,
Ramapethicus existed who was more human-
like than Dryopethicus. Dryopethicus
inhabited the European region and some parts
of Asia and Africa. Stages of evolution of
humans began from him. After Dryopethicus
and Ramapethicus came to the genus
Australopethicus which preceded the genus
Homo
Australopithecus
Australopithecus ramidus- Was 1.2 meters
tall and the fossils show the foramen
magnum that was large to indicate upright
walking.
Australopithecus afarensis– ‘Lucy’ the
famous fossil belonged to this species.
Australopithecus
Australopithecus africanus– These also
inhabited the African mainland. They were
bipedal and had a small skull with small
brains than Homo erectus but larger than
their predecessors.
Australopithecus robustus– He was taller than his
predecessors but still ape-like. They also weighed more
than their ancestors. After the Australopithecus genus
came the Homo genus. The first man in the genus was
Homo habilis.
HOMO
Homo habilis (HANDY MAN)– He had a face similar to
his ancestors. The skull and brain size indicate that he
may have been able to speak. The earliest tools made
were from this era. Homo habilis is known as the ‘handy
man’ because he was the first to make and use tools. He
was around 5 feet tall and erect.
Homo erectus (UPRIGHT MAN)– after Homo habilis came, the
Homo erectus who was also upright. He had a smaller but
longer face, less prominent or absent chin, larger brain size and
prominent speech. He knew how to make and use tools, he
made a fire and knew how to control it. Homo erectus was
carnivorous. He knew the existence of groups and they began
spreading from Africa to Asia and Europe.
HOMO
Homo sapiens (WISE MAN) – After Homo erectus came,
the Homo sapiens who separated into two types: Homo
sapiens neanderthelensis and Homo sapiens sapiens
(MODERN HUMAN)
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Evolution is not a thing of the past and
is continuing even now. Humans are
undergoing ‘natural selection’ for many
different traits based on their life and
environment in the present. It is believed
that the jaw size is reducing further and
the wisdom teeth are soon going to
become extinct.
Paleolithic Period
The Paleolithic Period or Old Stone Age is
divided into three divisions, each with a
distinct tradition of tool making. The three
division are labeled according to the layers of
ground tools were found in namely Lower,
Middle, and Upper Paleolithic Period
The Horticultural and Pastoral Societies
Horticultural societies developed
around 10,000 years and they are
described as semisedentary societies
because they do not frequently moved
as opposed to hunting and gathering
societies.
Agricultural societies and the Neolithic
Revolution
Agricultural societies began 5,000 years ago
during the Neolithic Period (8000-4000 BCE).
During this time, the Neolithic Revolution
occurred. With this major sociocultural and
economic development, agricultural societies
started to cultivate, wheat, barley, peas, rice
and millet between 8000 and 3500 BCE.
Industrial Societies
Industrial societies began when the Industrial
Revolution Swept through Europe during the
late eighteen century and the first half of the
nineteenth century (1780 to 1850s).
Post Industrial Societies
With the Development of information
technology and computers, many societies
transformed into post-industrial societies.
