Homo sapiens sapiens

The present day human beings or the “modern men” arrived on the evolutionary scene about 35,000 years ago. The first skeletal remains of Homo sapiens sapiens was found in Europe, and was named Cro-Magnon. Later, the taxonomic table Homo Sapien Sapiens was attributed to it.

Geographical Distribution:

Recent findings indicate that humans similar to us were distributed in the Africa,Europe, South West Asia, South Asia, Australia and America. The earliest of these fossils to be discovered was from Cro-Magnon (France)in 1868. Hence, men of this period are often designated by this name.

1) Europe:

  • Cro-Magnon (France)
  • Grimaldi (Mediterranean Coast,France)
  • Chancelade (France)
  • Gonbecapelle (France)
  • Brux and Brno (France)
  • Predmosti (Czechoslovakia)
  • Velika Pecina (Yugoslavia)
  • Bacho Kiro (Bulgaria)
  • Hahnofersand (West Germany)

2) Africa:

  • Border Cave
  • Klasies River Mouth
  • Omo-Kibish (Ehiopia)
  • Singa (Sudan)
  • Jebel Irhand (Morocco)
  • Fish Hoek (South Africa)
  • Gamble’s Cave (Kenya)

3) South West Asia;

  • Qafzeh (Israel)
  • Skhul (Israel)

4. Asia:

  • Zhoukoudian (Upper Cave, China)

5. America:

  • Los Angeles Man (USA)
  • Old Crow site (Canada)
  • Folsom man (New Mexico,USA)
  • Clobis man (New Mexico, USA)

6.Australia:

  • Willandro lake (Australia)
  • Lake Mungo (Australia)
  • Kow Swamp (Australia)

Physical Characteristics of Homo-Sapiens:

  • Mean cranial capacity of the skull is about 1350 CC.
  • The muscular ridges on the cranium are not strongly marked.
  • Maximum skull breadth is high on skull.
  • Skull is higher and rounder.
  • Parieto temporal suture is arched.
  • Forehead is rounded.
  • Supra orbital ridges are moderately developed.
  • Zygomatic arches (Cheek bones) are not projecting as in apes.
  • Mastoid process is well developed.
  • Occipital region is rounded.
  • Foramen magnum faces directly downwards and is placed centrally.
  • Alveolar region merges with the nasal floor.
  • Face is flatter.
  • Chin is well-developed.
  • Jaw is small sized.
  • Canine fossa is present
  • Incisors are relatively small.
  • Limb bones are relatively slender and straight.
  • Sockets of femur are forward.
  • Long bones are more straight with smaller area for muscle attachment.
  • Muscles of fingers are less powerful for grip.
  • The appendicular skeleton is adapted and straight.
  • The presence of a distinct mental eminence.

Cultural Characteristics

  • Culturally, these people were much advanced than the earlier forms. Their tool kits included more new devices; the bow and arrow, complex bone tools,- methods of food storage, cooking hearths clothing etc.
  • Burial was much elaborate than before. Graves are much often associated with goods that indicate changes in the belief system.
  • Cave-paintings are also elaborate and give information about hunting, critical life transition and other systems of belief.

With the Homo sapiens sapiens the story of man’s biological evolution  concludes. But, a notable feature of human development from Cro-Magnon to man of today has been one of cultural evolution.

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