Human Origins

Since the discoveries of Charles Darwin and other nineteenth century explorers, humans have created an analogy of the evolution of our own species. This view of our evolution is often represented by an all-too-familiar branching tree. Recent studies, however, suggest that this interpretation should be replaced with a map of human derivation in the form of an interwoven “tapestry.” These lineages would come together in kinships over time (Finlayson). Two recent studies have proved that Neanderthal DNA is still present in modern human keratin, the protein that helps produce skin, hair, and nails (Yong). Today, there is much uncertainty in the work of anthropologists. Any new discovery in paleontology, large or small, is likely to change our big understanding of human evolution.

The increment of time in which humans have existed is a very small portion on the Earth’s evolutionary timescale. It is relatively recent that humans appeared. Our species, Homo sapiens, began evolving about 200,000 years ago (“Early). All life on earth descended from a single living cell. The first life on Earth appeared about 3.5 billion years ago, an estimated 1.3 billion years after the earth was formed. The first living organisms on our planet were simple photosynthetic bacteria. Cells didn’t form until half a billion years later. All life on primitive Earth lived in water, and it wasn’t until 300 million years ago that some life, i.e. human ancestors, left the water and began living on land (“Human).

The evolution of Homo sapiens is unlike the evolution of any other species on Earth. The differentiation of physical characteristics throughout our evolutionary timescale is not the only factor of our evolution. Culture has played a vital role. Other sp...

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...res, different biological and cultural events, and the fluid evolutionary nature of living organisms. Homo sapiens is the only species that is able to unveil its origins and evolutionary path through research and discoveries. Mankind posses a unique intellect that sets apart our species from other organisms on the evolutionary timescale. However, our extensive knowledge can come with consequences. Humans have the power to influence the evolution of virtually all other species in the world. Humans are capable of so much, such as extreme good and extreme evil. If the evolutionary clock was to be rewound, the chances of the first living cell evolving into similar modern humans that inhabit the globe today would be less than 0.01%. Humans today are constantly discovering new things. Perhaps someday humans will figure out the precise line of evolution for the species.