ICY SCIENCE: SCIENCE SPACE ASTRONOMY Spring 2014 | Page 68

68 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