ICY SCIENCE: SCIENCE SPACE ASTRONOMY Spring 2014 | Page 68

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Contrary to common belief, humans have not evolved
from Chimpanzees (even though our DNA matches 98%).
The species separated about some 6 to 7 million years
back.
Humans have co-existed with at least two other human
species - the Neanderthals and the Hobbits of Indonesia.

IMAGES: TOP RIGHT- Neanderthals
MIDDLE- Hobbits
BOTTOM- Homo Sapiens
When we look at the advantages of intelligence from an
evolutionary point of view, we realise it is but a natural
outcome. Several other species have also demonstrated
intelligence – Crows, Whales, Octopus.
So are we still evolving? Our genome is difficult to distinguish from the genome of a human from 40,000 years
ago. But we have and shall continue to change dramatically in terms of culture and technology.

Is Evolution a Fact or a Theory?
In 1971, scientists introduced 5 adult pairs of the Italian
Wall Lizards to a tiny island off the coast of Croatia. In just
a few decades they had evolved features more suitable
to them for their new habitat – larger heads, harder bite
and a new gut structure.
ICY SCIENCE | QTR 2 SPRING 2014