Evolution of Primates and Paleo-anthropology

How did humans emerge from the primate lineage, and what evolutionary processes shaped who we are today? This course invites you to explore one of the most compelling scientific questions: the origin and evolution of humans within the broader framework of primate diversity.

The course begins with a concise introduction to the emergence of mammals, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of primates. You will examine the defining characteristics of Primates, including dental morphology and key anatomical adaptations for arboreal life. From there, you will gain a broad yet structured overview of primate biodiversity, ranging from lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers to New and Old World monkeys, as well as apes such as gibbons, orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Important extinct groups (e.g. Plesiadapiformes, Omomyoidea, Adapoidea, Proconsul, Sivapithecus) are also introduced to provide evolutionary context.

Building on this foundation, the course explores the origin of the primate body plan and the major evolutionary radiations within the group. You will critically engage with leading scientific hypotheses that explain these patterns and trace the evolutionary pathway leading to hominins and ultimately modern humans.

A central component of the course is a detailed overview of fossil evidence spanning the last 8 million years. You will study key genera such as Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, Kenyanthropus, Paranthropus, and Homo, focusing on their defining features and evolutionary relationships. Competing theories on human origins—such as the savanna hypothesis, aquatic ape hypothesis, and explanations for brain expansion—are critically compared, fostering your ability to evaluate scientific debates.

In addition, the course introduces the evolution of tool use within the genus Homo and addresses the origins of language, offering insight into both biological and cultural evolution.

Initial Competences

• Geen voorkennis vereist.
• A Basic of Kennis van de Engelse taal noodzakelijk.

Final competences

• Students are well familiar with the overall trends that characterize the evolution of primates and man. 
• Students can identify anatomical traits that characterise primates and human evolution, and put them within an evolutionary context. 
• Students have an overview of the biodiversity and relationships of primate taxa, as well as of the fossil record that reflects human evolution, based on recent literature. 
• Students have a good insight in the relation between morphological evolution, biogeography, and cultural evolution that typifies humans and their ancestors, and can interpret and critically evaluate the current hypotheses on human evolutionary relationships. 
• Students can communicate the most important aspects of human evolution towards a broader audience, both within a scientific and societal context

Practical Extra Information

The course makes use of lectures and a digital learning environment that ensures accessibility of course material at different times and locations, allowing the study to be integrated into the busy work life of participants.

Location

Faculteit Wetenschappen, Campus Ledeganck, Ledeganckstraat  35, 9000 Gent.