O homo sapiens sapiens is the scientific name of modern man, being a subspecies of homo sapiens.
The term homo sapiens derives from the Latin "wise man, man who knows".
Classification of Modern Man
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
subphylum: vertebrate
Class: Mammalia
Order: Ape
Suborder: Anthropoid
Family: Hominid
Gender: Homo
Species: homo sapiens
Subspecies: homo sapiens sapiens
Summary of the Evolutionary History of Modern Man
Modern man shares a common ancestor with gorillas and chimpanzees.
Some species prior to homo sapiens sapiens, according to the evolutionary process, are: australopithecines, homo ergaster, homo erectus, homo neanderthalensis and homo sapiens.
Australopithecines inhabited the arboreal savannas of Africa around 2.8 to 2.3 million years ago.
Several species of australopithecines were able to walk upright or semi-erect and had small brains.
During this period, Africa underwent a series of environmental changes that transformed its arboreal savannas, inhabited by Australopithecines, into open savannas.
Thus, australopithecines began to be exposed to predators, due to the decrease in shelter. This fact led to the extinction of most australopithecines.
Only a few strains were able to adapt and survive, allowing for the emergence of hominids.
Hominids walked upright, used fire and rudimentary tools.
The success of these strains, due to the development of the nervous system, led to the emergence of primate species of the genus Homo.
O homo erectus, appeared approximately 1.5 million years ago, and is one of the most enduring species of the genus. Homo.
O homo ergaster would be a subspecies of H. erectus who would have migrated to Europe and part of Asia, where he originated several lineages, one of them the homo neanderthalensis.
The bloodlines of H. erectus they had erect posture, low foreheads with bony protuberances close to the eye sockets, and little body hair.
O H. neanderthalensis, the Neanderthals, had a body adapted to the cold, no chin, a low forehead, bowed legs, and a larger brain than those of today's human beings.
Currently, it is believed that modern man emerged in Africa between 200,000 and 150,000 years ago, from the lineages of H. ergaster.
Characteristics of Homo sapiens
The main characteristic of modern man, compared to his ancestors, is the well developed brain.
In fact, the increased cranial volume during the evolutionary process of the human species is remarkable. Of 450 cm3 from australopithecines to 1350 cm3 of homo sapiens modern.
The development of the nervous system made it possible to reasoning ability, language and intelligence.
Development of symbolic language, directly related to human thought.
Modern man lives in society, according to their communication systems, ways of life and traditions, which we call culture.
Besides the upright posture, with wide body movements.
Learn more about man in prehistory.
