• Identify the shared features of mammals, primates, hominoids and hominins
• Describe key trends in hominin evolution, focusing on brain size, limb structure and bipedalism
• Interpret fossil and DNA evidence for human migration and interbreeding

Introduction

Humans share an evolutionary history with other primates, but belong to a specific group called hominins – modern humans and our upright-walking ancestors. Fossils and DNA give scientists important evidence about where humans originated, how we migrated across the globe, and how we sometimes interbred with other hominin species (e.g. Neanderthals and Denisovans).

Bipedal adaptations include:

• forward position of the foramen magnum

• S-shaped spine

• short, broad pelvis

• longer legs compared to arms

Fossil + DNA Evidence

• The human fossil record is regularly updated as new fossils and genetic evidence (e.g. Denisovans, Homo floresiensis) are discovered.
• DNA analysis shows that interbreeding occurred between Homo sapiens and other hominins such as Neanderthals and Denisovans, and that small amounts of their DNA remain in some modern human populations.

Migration of Modern Humans

• Out-of-Africa: DNA evidence indicates modern humans migrated out of Africa around 150,000 years ago.
• Interbreeding: Humans entering the Middle East and Europe interbred with Neanderthals.
• Arrival in Australia: Fossil and DNA evidence suggests that modern humans reached Australia at least 50,000–55,000 years ago via South-East Asia and rapidly spread across the continent.
• Evidence also supports a long and continuous connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to specific regions of Australia over tens of thousands of years (reflecting their connection to Country and Place).