Q. Which of the following is correct order of the evolutionary history of man?

 2325  226 AIPMTAIPMT 2001Evolution Report Error

Solution:

The Pleistocene rocks from which fossils of Peking man were excavated are about 6 lakh years old. The Peking man was omnivorous and cannibal. There is a clear evidence of use of fire by it. It has been confirmed that Peking men used to live in caves in small groups or tribes. The tools of Peking man were relatively more sophisticated. Heidelberg man had lower jaw with all the teeth. He used the tools and fire. The cranial capacity is believed to be about 1300 cc. Neanderthal man had slightly prognathous face. Neanderthals walked upright, as we do, and had low brows, receding jaws, and high domed heads. Their cranial capacity was 1300 to 1600 cubic centimetres. They became extinct 30000 years ago. Cro-Magnon man emerged about 34000 years ago in Holocene epoch. Thus, it is regarded as most recent ancestor of today's man. Its face was perfectly orthognathous with an arrow, elevated nose, broad and arched forehead, moderate brow-ridges, strong jaws with man-like dentition, and a well developed chin. Its cranial capacity was, however, somewhat more than ours, being about 1650 cc. It became extinct about 10000-11000 years age.