Biological anthropology
From Wikinfo
Biological Anthropology refers to the field of anthropology which deals with the biological ancestry of humankind (Homo sapiens). It examines the theory that humanas evolved from apelike ancestors, as well as the geographical location of these ancestors, their physical characteristics, abilities, concepts, tools and culture.
From archaeological evidence, many pre-human forms have been theorised to have existed, including (in chronological developmental order):
-Australopithecines: a group of pre-hominid apes which resembled humans more closely than apparently extant ape forms like chimpanzees and gorillas.
-Homo habilis: early hominids sharing characteristics of both apes and humans.
-Homo erectus: considered by some to be the first true humans, they had smaller brains than modern humans, but apparently developed tools and used fire.
-Homo neanderthalensis (also Homo sapiens neanderthalensis), commonly known as Neanderthals: Short, stocky hominids with a similar brain size to Homo sapiens. These are hypothesised to have gone extinct around 25,000-50,000 years ago, of unknownn causes.
-Homo sapiens: The common modern human.
