This is not the usual paleoanthropological inquiry into the origin of our species but more of an inquest on how they have survived and took the first steps across continents and eventually establishing what we now refer as modern human beings.
The Real Eve traces the evolutionary path of the fully-evolved human beings (which seemed to be fairly the same as the modern ones). It’s a journey to the past taking into consideration not only the physical changes of the body but also the advancements in the way of thinking manifested in their actions.
Mitochondrial Genes
Mitochondria, known as the powerhouse of the cell, also contain DNA of its own independent of those in the nucleus. It therefore carries genes which may somehow have distinct functions for development. During fertilization, the mitochondria of the sperm located only in the tail (to initiate movement) are left outside the ovum. Only the head of the male gamete can penetrate the egg and hence its mt genes can’t partake in the genetic contents of their soon-to-be offspring. Therefore, only the mother can contribute mitochondrial DNA and genes to their offsprings hence we have Mitochondrial Eve. Scientists have been mapping out our matrilineal lineage from a single female ancestor who, research shows, came from Africa.
Evolutionary Events and Advancements
Evolution works along multiple paths but for now, let me consider some points raised in the film.
1. Complexity of Human Brain
2. Bipedalism
Bipedalism is the capability to roam around with two legs as the primary form of locomotion. Walking upright on two feet served to be the defining characteristics of the first humans as opposed to moving on all four limbs as in those of lower primates. Accompanied by this is the development of opposable thumbs which allowed early humans to grasp earthly objects and utilize them as tools eventually.
3. Base Camping/ Groups-formation
Early humans showed potentials of forming small interactive societies as the settle in one place and stop wandering at some point. When there’s an abundant vegetation or place to hunt, they dwell as a group with male as hunters and the women taking good care of the children. Division of labor among primary units was evidently shown in paleoanthropological researches.
4. Language , Art and Mysticism
First signs of cooperation and communication skills were observed in lower groups of animals but were more evidently exhibited by early humans. They used different sounds and arbitrary names they had agreed among themselves. Language played a very significant role in the development of what we now refer to as culture.
The evolution of our behaviours could actually be attributed on the complexity of the brain’s processes. Early humans thousands of years ago, utilized wall of caves to express probably the real scenarios of their daily subsistence. Hunting and some sort of rituals were discernibly drawn with texture on stones and walls. Scientists said that some figures were not animals of their time at all; it could have been part of the mysticism that has prevailed in groups in time. There could be the dawn of religiously-inclined rituals.
5. Sexual Evolution and Mutual Dependency
Through time, monogamous type of relationship has emerged. Bonding between partners as they strive to live amidst harsh environment remained strong. In the film, one could see affection and concern among members of a group when someone died (which of course, our sociobiologists have ascertained to be true). On mutual dependency, children have established long-term dependence on their parents and so did all other members of the society to their kind.
Indeed, a lot advancements have occurred in the course of time. In our case, our ancestors unknowingly did and performed a wide array of actions that lead us to what we enjoy today. Of course, there are far more sufficient and convincing inquiries to this concern other than those I have mentioned above. One may include today’s parental care and other cultural behaviours we can actually relate to that of our ancestor’s.
On Survival
The first humans derived their sources of nutrition mainly from surrounding plants and animal resources (eggs, insects and creeping animals) within reach. With the production of stone tools, early humans learned hunting of much bigger animals. Bones from butchered animals were eventually used for hunting also. The change in human diet distinguished us to some extent to our close relatives. Also, intellectual capabilities made its way in the course of time. Gathering into groups and sharing of foods among members even suggested how we deviate from other primates.
However, our ancestors were not just confined with hunting of land animals. They have already explored interior bodies of water in search for fishes and the like. Beach combing as shown in the film was fairly done when seas were way below the coastal.
When available resources depleted, the mysteries of our species even grew bigger as early human beings ventured on what we refer today as agriculture. Cultivation of fertile lands led to the propagation of today’s staple crops and vegetables. They have also learned which among the plants are edible or dangerous for humanity. Domestication of important animals followed fairly after (or probably at the same time).
Prior to some of these, they took risks of exploring places beyond their imagination. They have conquered different regions of the old world from Africa to the Middle East, through the mountains and the seas not known to them the dangers of wilderness. Soaring into the great unknown, they waited thousands of years to take the next moves. They have surmounted the Indian subcontinents, Malay Peninsula and freezing environment of early China. They have seized the ocean waters to ancient Australia and the beasts it concealed. From the striking heat and deserted areas in Africa to the hills and caves, temperate and tropical regions of early Europe, Asia and Australia, they all have established first diversification of the modern humans.
Relative Points
• “Our survival is at the mercy of the CLIMATE”- sounds familiar? Yes, of course. The finely tuned Earth’s atmosphere is now upset. Theories on the natural ability of Earth to destruct itself and the like may explain this but in the advent of our destructive activities, what seemed to be plausibly applicable to our ancestors’ time (where there’s inconceivable harsh environment) is now evident as in today. We may not have anything to do to stop the natural phenomena, but we can do things that won’t aggravate matters.
• Human Impacts- As early humans conquered pristine regions of Earth, they have inadvertently affected other life forms. Some even caught in genetic ends. Extinction and threats to species’ survival increased as humans struggle to survive as well. You see, as early as their time, our undertakings caused tremendously worse effects to the planet.
• Apartheid and other kinds of Discrimination – Africa is the cradle of human origin and subsistence. The Real Eve , the mother of today’s modern humans, was actually an African woman. What we deem today as lesser people because of their color and stature actually came from the lineage which gave us a reason to survive and persist. If we only realize how related we are to each other, regardless of color, physique, economic status and other Earthly concerns, we can definitely make this world the best place to live in.
• The Real Eve- Does the Real Eve coincide with the Biblical Eve? Whatever the answer may be, this empowers our women to strive for their rights in all aspects of the society we know.
• Cherish Life!!! - You see, it took thousands of years for our ancestors to develop a series of advancements in their physical beings and intellectual capabilities not known to them the rewarding benefit they can provide for today’s people. So live our lives to the fullest as we strive to extend the years of our planet.
*got a chance to join Madam's Philo Class (for the first time). http://potpourri-jmtorres.blogspot.com/2011/03/last-friday-i-attended-madams-philo.html
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