Human Beings First Developed In Africa And Then Spread

human Beings First Developed In Africa And Then They Spread To Other

Human beings first developed in Africa and then they spread to other continents. An interesting question in humankind's development is when did we begin to think critically? When did we turn from animals focused only on the daily struggle to avoid starvation to humans who could think symbolically about the world around us? A commonsense assumption is that higher levels of thought go hand-in-hand with verbal language, because higher thinking, such as creative thought, would naturally seek a means of expression. Tracing the development of language could give an approximate idea of when humans began to think critically.

We do not have some fossil evidence related to speech. By about 200,000 years ago, the anatomy of the human throat had shifted lower. This lowering provided a larger sound chamber in the throat and mouth, in which passing air could be controlled by the tongue, making the articulation of a wide range of sounds and rhythms possible. Humans were physically able to speak around 200,000 years ago, but when they actually started doing so remains uncertain. Since there is no direct physical evidence of ancient language use, researchers need to rely on other approaches to determine more precisely when humans began to speak and to think critically.

No other animal is able to create or appreciate art; it is a uniquely human trait. If ancient humans had the imagination to create works of art—which in itself is a means of communication—they likely possessed the primary means of communication: language. Until recently, the earliest art was believed to be cave paintings, carved figures, and jewelry found in southwestern Europe, dating from about 40,000 years ago. This suggested that humans first became capable of critical thought around that time. However, this timeline was recently challenged by a significant discovery in South Africa. Based on Henshilwood's discovery, evidence suggests that humans began to speak and think critically at least 70,000 years ago.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the origins of human cognition and speech necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, combining archaeological, anatomical, and linguistic evidence. The widely accepted "Out of Africa" theory posits that modern humans first emerged in Africa before dispersing globally, disseminating not only genetic characteristics but also cognitive and cultural innovations essential for survival and societal development (Stringer, 2012). The critical question pertains to when humans transitioned from basic survival-focused animals to beings capable of symbolic thought and complex language—a cornerstone for the development of culture, art, and technological advancement.

The physical capabilities for speech likely existed by around 200,000 years ago. Fossil evidence indicates that the vocal tract's anatomy had evolved to enable the articulation of a variety of sounds, chiefly due to the lowering of the larynx (Fitch, 2010). This anatomical modification increased the size of the vocal cavity, creating the potential for diverse phonemes and rhythmic speech patterns. Although this structural change occurred, it does not confirm the actual use of language at that time, posing a challenge for scholars seeking to pinpoint the emergence of spoken communication.

In the absence of direct fossil evidence—such as the vocal cords or brain structures associated with language—researchers have turned to indirect indicators. One such proxy is the emergence of symbolic art. Early art, including cave paintings, carved figurines, and jewelry, have historically been viewed as manifestations of abstract and critical thinking. The initial interpretation suggested that such artistic expressions appeared about 40,000 years ago in Europe. This timeline was corroborated by archaeological findings of sophisticated art forms, which implied a corresponding development in cognitive abilities (Henshilwood & Marean, 2003).

Nevertheless, recent discoveries challenge the traditional timeline. In South Africa, the findings by Henshilwood and colleagues introduced compelling evidence of early symbolic behavior dating back approximately 70,000 years, substantially earlier than previously thought (Henshilwood et al., 2018). These artifacts include engraved ochre pieces and shell beads, indicative of abstract thought and social expression. Such findings imply that the cognitive abilities necessary for language and critical thinking may have arisen much earlier, supporting the hypothesis that language and symbolic thought evolved hand-in-hand.

This earlier onset of symbolic behavior aligns with the hypothesis that language—both in its spoken and symbolic forms—serves as a foundation for complex social interactions and cultural development. The capacity to express ideas, emotions, and abstract concepts would necessitate a structured system of communication, ultimately leading to the emergence of language as a critical tool for human evolution. Recognizing that language's origins predate the widespread artistic manifestations underscores the importance of cognitive flexibility and social intelligence in early Homo sapiens.

Furthermore, the relationship between language and critical thinking is bidirectional. As language provides the framework for complex thought, it allows for the conceptualization of more intricate ideas, planning for the future, and the development of social cohesion. The visible evidence of early symbolic artifacts supports the notion that humans had begun to think critically and communicate symbolically at least 70,000 years ago, well before the more extensive cave art traditions of 40,000 years ago, which may simply reflect the culmination of earlier cognitive and linguistic developments (McBrearty & Brooks, 2000).

In conclusion, the synthesis of anatomical, archaeological, and symbolic evidence indicates that the capacity for speech and critical thinking in humans emerged at least 70,000 years ago, significantly earlier than historically assumed. The progression from anatomical readiness to symbolic and linguistic expression marks a pivotal moment in human evolution, underpinning our species' unique ability to create art, culture, and complex societies. Continued interdisciplinary research holds promise for uncovering further nuances of this profound developmental milestone, enriching our understanding of what makes us distinctly human.

References

• Fitch, W. T. (2010). The evolution of speech: The role of anatomy. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(11), 1-12.
• Henshilwood, C. S., d’Errico, F., & Watts, I. (2018). Substantive Technologies of the African Middle Stone Age. Current Anthropology, 59(S17), S225–S245.
• Henshilwood, C. S., & Marean, C. W. (2003). The origins of modern human behavior: World-views, imagination, and artistic expression. Scientific American, 288(1), 58–65.
• McBrearty, S., & Brooks, A. S. (2000). The revolution that wasn't: A new interpretation of the origin of modern human behavior. Journal of Human Evolution, 39(5), 453-563.
• Stringer, C. (2012). The origin and evolution of Homo sapiens. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 367(1580), 456–463.
• Fitch, W. T. (2010). The evolution of speech: The role of anatomy. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(11), 1-12.
• Henshilwood, C. S., d’Errico, F., & Watts, I. (2018). Substantive Technologies of the African Middle Stone Age. Current Anthropology, 59(S17), S225–S245.
• Henshilwood, C. S., & Marean, C. W. (2003). The origins of modern human behavior: World-views, imagination, and artistic expression. Scientific American, 288(1), 58–65.
• McBrearty, S., & Brooks, A. S. (2000). The revolution that wasn't: A new interpretation of the origin of modern human behavior. Journal of Human Evolution, 39(5), 453-563.
• Stringer, C. (2012). The origin and evolution of Homo sapiens. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 367(1580), 456–463.