Origin and Evolution of Man
BiologyEvolutionFor NEET aspirants
The origin and evolution of man traces the human line from the primates of about 15 million years ago to modern Homo sapiens. This page covers Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus, the Australopithecines, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, the Neanderthal man and modern humans, with brain sizes, dates and early culture, as in the NCERT Class 12 chapter Evolution. NEET often asks brain capacities and the order of human ancestors in questions on the origin and evolution of man.
On this page1Early primates2East African hominids3The genus Homo4Culture and settlement5Exam essentials6Quick revision7Solved examples8Practice
Key Points at a Glance
- ★ Must learn About 15 mya: Dryopithecus (more ape-like) and Ramapithecus (more man-like); hairy, walked like gorillas and chimpanzees.
- Man-like bones from Ethiopia and Tanzania: man-like primates walked upright in eastern Africa about 3-4 mya, not taller than 4 feet.
- About 2 mya: Australopithecines in East African grasslands; hunted with stone weapons but essentially ate fruit.
- ★ Must learn Homo habilis: the first human-like being (the hominid); brain 650-800 cc; probably did not eat meat.
- ★ Must learn Homo erectus: fossils found in Java in 1891; about 1.5 mya; brain about 900 cc; probably ate meat.
- ★ Must learn Neanderthal man: brain 1400 cc; near east and central Asia, 1,00,000-40,000 years ago; used hides, buried the dead.
- Homo sapiens arose in Africa, moved across continents and developed into distinct races.
- ★ Must learn Modern Homo sapiens arose during the ice age, 75,000-10,000 years ago.
- Cave art developed about 18,000 years ago; cave paintings can be seen at the Bhimbetka rock shelter (Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh); agriculture about 10,000 years ago.
- A baby chimpanzee's skull is more like an adult human skull than an adult chimpanzee's skull.
1. The Early Primates
- About 15 mya, primates called Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus were existing.
- They were hairy and walked like gorillas and chimpanzees.
- ★ Exam imp Ramapithecus was more man-like, while Dryopithecus was more ape-like.
Dryopithecus
- About 15 mya
- Hairy; walked like gorillas and chimpanzees
- More ape-like
Ramapithecus
- About 15 mya
- Hairy; walked like gorillas and chimpanzees
- More man-like
Memory Trick
Ram is a man's name. Ramapithecus was the more man-like of the two; Dryopithecus was the more ape-like.
Key idea
About 15 mya two hairy primates lived: Ramapithecus, closer to man, and Dryopithecus, closer to the apes.
2. Man-like Primates of East Africa
- A few fossils of man-like bones have been discovered in Ethiopia and Tanzania.
- They revealed hominid features, so about 3-4 mya man-like primates probably walked in eastern Africa.
- They were probably not taller than 4 feet, but they walked upright.
- ★ Exam imp About 2 mya, Australopithecines probably lived in the East African grasslands.
- Evidence shows they hunted with stone weapons but essentially ate fruit.
NEET Focus
Diet changes along the line. Australopithecines hunted with stone weapons but essentially ate fruit; Homo habilis probably did not eat meat; Homo erectus probably ate meat. Statement questions often swap these.
Key idea
Upright, man-like primates walked in East Africa 3-4 mya; Australopithecines followed about 2 mya in the grasslands.
3. The Genus Homo
- Homo habilis: some of the bones discovered were different. This creature was called the first human-like being, the hominid. Its brain capacity was 650-800 cc, and it probably did not eat meat.
- Homo erectus: fossils discovered in Java in 1891 revealed this next stage, about 1.5 mya. It had a large brain of around 900 cc and probably ate meat.
- Neanderthal man: brain size 1400 cc. It lived in the near east and central Asia between 1,00,000 and 40,000 years ago. Neanderthals used hides to protect their body and buried their dead.
- Homo sapiens: arose in Africa, moved across continents and developed into distinct races.
- During the ice age, between 75,000 and 10,000 years ago, modern Homo sapiens arose.
| Stage | When | Where | Brain capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dryopithecus, Ramapithecus | About 15 mya | - | - | Hairy; ape-like and man-like |
| Man-like primates | 3-4 mya | Eastern Africa (fossils from Ethiopia, Tanzania) | - | Upright; not taller than 4 feet |
| Australopithecines | About 2 mya | East African grasslands | - | Stone weapons; essentially fruit |
| Homo habilis | After the Australopithecines | - | 650-800 cc | First hominid; probably no meat |
| Homo erectus | About 1.5 mya | Fossils from Java (1891) | About 900 cc | Probably ate meat |
| Neanderthal man | 1,00,000-40,000 years ago | Near east and central Asia | 1400 cc | Hides; buried the dead |
| Modern Homo sapiens | 75,000-10,000 years ago (ice age) | Arose in Africa | - | Spread across continents; races |
★ Very important Brain capacities: Homo habilis 650-800 cc, Homo erectus about 900 cc, Neanderthal man 1400 cc. Brain size increases along the human line.
Memory Trick
Dry Rams Always Have Extra Nice Sweaters: Dryopithecus, Ramapithecus, Australopithecines, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, Neanderthal man, Homo sapiens, the order of the human story.
Memory Trick
Count up the hundreds: 6.5 to 8, then 9, then 14. Homo habilis 650-800 cc, Homo erectus 900 cc, Neanderthal 1400 cc.
Tips and Tricks
Tie each stage to its place. Ethiopia and Tanzania: man-like bones. East African grasslands: Australopithecines. Java: Homo erectus. Near east and central Asia: Neanderthals. Africa: origin of Homo sapiens. A match-list on places can be solved from this chain alone.
Quick Recall: tap to check
Which human ancestor is called the first human-like being, the hominid?
Homo habilis.
Where and when were the fossils of Homo erectus discovered?
In Java, in 1891.
Name two practices of the Neanderthal man.
They used hides to protect their body and buried their dead.
When did modern Homo sapiens arise?
During the ice age, between 75,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Key idea
Brain capacity rose from 650-800 cc (Homo habilis) to 900 cc (Homo erectus) and 1400 cc (Neanderthal); Homo sapiens arose in Africa.
4. Culture, Agriculture and Settlement
- ★ Exam imp Pre-historic cave art developed about 18,000 years ago.
- Cave paintings by pre-historic humans can be seen at the Bhimbetka rock shelter in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
- Agriculture came about 10,000 years ago, and human settlements started.
- The rest is part of human history: the growth and decline of civilisations.
- The evolution of modern man appears to parallel the evolution of the human brain and language.
★ Very important Homo sapiens arose in Africa and spread across continents into distinct races; modern Homo sapiens arose during the ice age, between 75,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Memory Trick
Art at 18, farms at 10 (thousand years ago). Cave art about 18,000 years ago, agriculture and settlements about 10,000 years ago.
Quick Recall: tap to check
Where can pre-historic cave paintings be seen in India?
At the Bhimbetka rock shelter in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
When did agriculture begin?
About 10,000 years ago, when human settlements started.
Key idea
Cave art about 18,000 years ago and agriculture about 10,000 years ago led to settled human history.
5. Exam Essentials
Pairs to Match
| Organism or term | Matches with |
|---|---|
| Dryopithecus | More ape-like; about 15 mya |
| Ramapithecus | More man-like; about 15 mya |
| Ethiopia and Tanzania | Fossils of man-like bones with hominid features |
| Australopithecines | East African grasslands, about 2 mya; stone weapons, fruit |
| Homo habilis | First hominid; 650-800 cc |
| Homo erectus | Java, 1891; about 900 cc |
| Neanderthal man | 1400 cc; buried their dead |
| Homo sapiens | Arose in Africa |
| Ice age | Modern Homo sapiens, 75,000-10,000 years ago |
| Bhimbetka rock shelter | Pre-historic cave paintings, Madhya Pradesh |
| Agriculture | About 10,000 years ago |
| Baby chimpanzee skull | More like the adult human skull |
Exceptions
- Australopithecines hunted with stone weapons but essentially ate fruit.
- Homo habilis probably did not eat meat, unlike Homo erectus.
- Neanderthals lived in the near east and central Asia, not Africa.
- A baby chimpanzee's skull is more like an adult human skull than like an adult chimpanzee's skull.
Numbers to Remember
- 15 mya: Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus.
- 3-4 mya: upright man-like primates in eastern Africa; height not more than 4 feet.
- 2 mya: Australopithecines.
- 650-800 cc: Homo habilis.
- 1891 (Java) and 1.5 mya: Homo erectus, about 900 cc.
- 1400 cc, 1,00,000-40,000 years ago: Neanderthal man.
- 75,000-10,000 years ago: modern Homo sapiens (ice age).
- 18,000 years ago: cave art; 10,000 years ago: agriculture.
6. Quick Revision
- About 15 mya: Dryopithecus (ape-like) and Ramapithecus (man-like); hairy primates.
- Ethiopia and Tanzania: man-like bones; upright primates 3-4 mya, under 4 feet tall.
- About 2 mya: Australopithecines in East African grasslands; stone weapons, fruit diet.
- Homo habilis: first hominid; 650-800 cc; probably no meat.
- Homo erectus: Java, 1891; about 1.5 mya; about 900 cc; probably ate meat.
- Neanderthal: 1400 cc; near east and central Asia; 1,00,000-40,000 years ago; hides; burial.
- Homo sapiens: arose in Africa; spread across continents; distinct races.
- Modern Homo sapiens: ice age, 75,000-10,000 years ago.
- Cave art about 18,000 years ago; Bhimbetka, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Agriculture and settlements about 10,000 years ago.
- Baby chimpanzee skull resembles the adult human skull.
- Human evolution parallels the evolution of the brain and language.
7. Solved Examples
Solved Example 1
Match List I with List II.
List I: A. Homo habilis, B. Homo erectus, C. Neanderthal man, D. Ramapithecus
List II: I. 1400 cc, II. 650-800 cc, III. More man-like primate of about 15 mya, IV. About 900 cc
Choose the correct answer:
(A) A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III
(B) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
(C) A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
(D) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
List I: A. Homo habilis, B. Homo erectus, C. Neanderthal man, D. Ramapithecus
List II: I. 1400 cc, II. 650-800 cc, III. More man-like primate of about 15 mya, IV. About 900 cc
Choose the correct answer:
(A) A-IV, B-II, C-I, D-III
(B) A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-III
(C) A-II, B-IV, C-I, D-III
(D) A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II
Solution:
Answer: (C). Homo habilis 650-800 cc (II); Homo erectus about 900 cc (IV); Neanderthal 1400 cc (I); Ramapithecus was the more man-like primate (III).
Solved Example 2
Arrange in the order in which they appeared.
A. Homo erectus
B. Australopithecines
C. Neanderthal man
D. Homo habilis
E. Modern Homo sapiens
Choose the correct answer:
(A) B, A, D, C, E
(B) D, B, A, C, E
(C) B, D, A, C, E
(D) B, D, C, A, E
A. Homo erectus
B. Australopithecines
C. Neanderthal man
D. Homo habilis
E. Modern Homo sapiens
Choose the correct answer:
(A) B, A, D, C, E
(B) D, B, A, C, E
(C) B, D, A, C, E
(D) B, D, C, A, E
Solution:
Answer: (C). Australopithecines (2 mya), Homo habilis, Homo erectus (1.5 mya), Neanderthal (1,00,000-40,000 years ago) and modern Homo sapiens (75,000-10,000 years ago).
Solved Example 3
Read the statements.
A. Dryopithecus was more ape-like.
B. Australopithecines essentially ate meat.
C. Homo erectus fossils were found in Java in 1891.
D. Neanderthals buried their dead.
E. Homo habilis had a brain capacity of about 1400 cc.
Choose the correct answer:
(A) A, B and C only
(B) A, C and D only
(C) B, D and E only
(D) C, D and E only
A. Dryopithecus was more ape-like.
B. Australopithecines essentially ate meat.
C. Homo erectus fossils were found in Java in 1891.
D. Neanderthals buried their dead.
E. Homo habilis had a brain capacity of about 1400 cc.
Choose the correct answer:
(A) A, B and C only
(B) A, C and D only
(C) B, D and E only
(D) C, D and E only
Solution:
Answer: (B). B is wrong: Australopithecines essentially ate fruit. E is wrong: Homo habilis had 650-800 cc; 1400 cc is the Neanderthal value.
Solved Example 4
Pre-historic cave paintings can be seen at the Bhimbetka rock shelter, located in
(A) Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh
(B) Java
(C) Ethiopia
(D) Tanzania
(A) Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh
(B) Java
(C) Ethiopia
(D) Tanzania
Solution:
Answer: (A). The Bhimbetka rock shelter is in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh.
Solved Example 5
Which statement about the Neanderthal man is NOT correct?
(A) Its brain size was 1400 cc
(B) It lived in the near east and central Asia
(C) It used hides to protect the body
(D) It lived about 1.5 million years ago
(A) Its brain size was 1400 cc
(B) It lived in the near east and central Asia
(C) It used hides to protect the body
(D) It lived about 1.5 million years ago
Solution:
Answer: (D). Neanderthals lived between 1,00,000 and 40,000 years ago; about 1.5 mya is the time of Homo erectus.
8. Practice Questions
Practice Questions
- Match List I with List II.
List I: A. Ethiopia and Tanzania, B. Java, C. East African grasslands, D. Near east and central Asia
List II: I. Neanderthal man, II. Australopithecines, III. Homo erectus fossils, IV. Man-like bones with hominid features
(A) A-IV, B-III, C-II, D-I (B) A-III, B-IV, C-II, D-I (C) A-IV, B-II, C-III, D-I (D) A-I, B-III, C-II, D-IVAnswer: (A). Each place is tied to one stage of the human story. - Arrange in increasing order of brain capacity: A. Neanderthal man, B. Homo habilis, C. Homo erectus
(A) B, C, A (B) C, B, A (C) B, A, C (D) A, C, BAnswer: (A). 650-800 cc, about 900 cc, then 1400 cc. - Read the statements.
A. Man-like primates walked upright in eastern Africa about 3-4 mya.
B. These primates were taller than 6 feet.
C. Homo sapiens arose in Africa.
D. Agriculture began about 10,000 years ago.
Choose the correct answer: (A) A, C and D only (B) A and B only (C) B, C and D only (D) A, B, C and DAnswer: (A). B is wrong: they were probably not taller than 4 feet. - Which statement is NOT correct? (A) Homo erectus probably ate meat (B) Homo habilis probably did not eat meat (C) Australopithecines essentially ate fruit (D) Dryopithecus was more man-like than RamapithecusAnswer: (D). Ramapithecus was more man-like; Dryopithecus was more ape-like.
- Statement I: The skull of a baby chimpanzee is more like an adult human skull than an adult chimpanzee skull.
Statement II: Modern Homo sapiens arose during the ice age, between 75,000 and 10,000 years ago.
(A) Both statements are correct (B) Both statements are incorrect (C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect (D) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correctAnswer: (A). Both are correct. - The first human-like being, called the hominid, was (A) Australopithecines (B) Homo habilis (C) Homo erectus (D) RamapithecusAnswer: (B). Homo habilis, with a brain capacity of 650-800 cc.
- Trace the components of human evolution: brain size and function, skeletal structure and dietary preference.Answer: Brain: 650-800 cc (Homo habilis) to about 900 cc (Homo erectus) to 1400 cc (Neanderthal), with language and self-consciousness in modern man. Skeleton: upright walking by 3-4 mya. Diet: fruit (Australopithecines), probably no meat (Homo habilis), probably meat (Homo erectus).
- Can we call human evolution adaptive radiation? Give a reason.Answer: No. Adaptive radiation produces many different species from one stock in one area, radiating into different habitats, as in Darwin's finches. Human evolution is a series of stages, and Homo sapiens spread across continents as a single species that formed distinct races.
- Activity: Using popular science articles, find out whether animals other than man show self-consciousness.Answer: Look for studies on apes, dolphins and elephants, and note what evidence each uses. Compare this with language skills and self-consciousness, which mark the success of man.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch out
- Calling Dryopithecus the more man-like primate: Ramapithecus was more man-like.
- Giving Homo habilis a brain of 900 cc: Homo habilis had 650-800 cc; 900 cc is Homo erectus.
- Giving the wrong place or year for the Homo erectus fossils: they were discovered in Java in 1891.
- Saying Australopithecines mainly ate meat: they hunted with stone weapons but essentially ate fruit.
- Placing the Neanderthals in Africa: they lived in the near east and central Asia.
- Dating modern Homo sapiens to 1.5 mya: that is Homo erectus; modern humans arose 75,000-10,000 years ago.
- Placing the Bhimbetka rock shelter outside Madhya Pradesh: it is in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh.
- Taking the adult chimpanzee skull as the closest to the human skull: the baby chimpanzee's skull is closer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus?
Both were primates that existed about 15 million years ago. Both were hairy and walked like gorillas and chimpanzees. Ramapithecus was more man-like, while Dryopithecus was more ape-like. They come at the start of the human story, before the man-like primates of East Africa.
What were the brain capacities of early humans?
Homo habilis had a brain capacity of 650 to 800 cc. Homo erectus, about 1.5 million years ago, had a larger brain of around 900 cc. The Neanderthal man had a brain size of 1400 cc. Brain size thus increased along the human line, along with language skills.
Why is Homo habilis called the first hominid?
Among the fossil bones discovered, some were different from the others. The creature they belonged to was called the first human-like being, the hominid, and was named Homo habilis. Its brain capacity was 650 to 800 cc, and it probably did not eat meat.
Where and when were Homo erectus fossils found?
Fossils discovered in Java in 1891 revealed Homo erectus, the stage after Homo habilis. It lived about 1.5 million years ago, had a large brain of around 900 cc and probably ate meat. In contrast, Homo habilis had a smaller brain and probably did not eat meat.
What is known about the Neanderthal man?
The Neanderthal man had a brain size of 1400 cc, the largest among the early humans described here. Neanderthals lived in the near east and central Asia between 1,00,000 and 40,000 years ago. They used hides to protect their body and buried their dead.
When and where did modern Homo sapiens arise?
Homo sapiens arose in Africa and moved across continents, developing into distinct races. Modern Homo sapiens arose during the ice age, between 75,000 and 10,000 years ago. Cave art followed about 18,000 years ago, and agriculture and settlements about 10,000 years ago.
Why does a baby chimpanzee's skull look like a human skull?
A comparison of skulls shows that the skull of a baby chimpanzee is more like an adult human skull than like an adult chimpanzee's skull. Both have a rounded cranium and a short face, whereas the adult chimpanzee skull has a long, projecting jaw.
Which points on human evolution are most asked in NEET?
NEET most often asks the brain capacities of Homo habilis, Homo erectus and the Neanderthal man, the order of human ancestors, the places linked to each stage (Ethiopia, Tanzania, Java, central Asia, Africa), diets, the dates of modern Homo sapiens, and the Bhimbetka rock shelter.
Previous year questions on Origin and Evolution of Man
3 questions from past papers, each with a step-by-step solution.
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