China

China is an ancient multinational civilization that extends over a large area in East Asia.  After Chinese Civil War in 1949, this country was divided in People’s Republic of China and Republic of China (Taiwan).  People’s Republic of China gained control over Hong Kong in 1997 and Macau in 1999.  Taiwan includes the islands of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.

Human Evolution

Chinese civilization is the oldest, and the archaeological evidence found in its territories date back over 5,000 years.  Homo erectus (Peking Man), which lived from 300,000 to 780,000 years ago, was the first findings of human presence in China and is one of specimens in human’s evolutionary path. 

Homonid Fossils:

Quadrupedal Ancestors (shared with Chimpanzees)===> poor fossil evidence==> Sahelanthropus (~ 6 million years ago / Toumai upright)==> Orrorin (Millenium Man)==>Ardipithecus (4 to 5 million years ago)==>Australopithecus (brain volume: 0.4 liters, 3 million years ago)==>Homo Habilis (brain volume: 0.6 liters, 2 million years ago)==> Homo Erectus / Ergaster (brain volume: ~ 1 liter, 1.6 million years ago)==> Homosapiens (some hundred thousand years ago)==> Archaic Homosapiens (Homo Heidelbergenesis, Homo Rhodesiensis and Homo Neanderthalensis)==> Modern Homosapiens (brain volume: 1.3 to 1.4 liters).

Recent discovery: Australopithecus Sediba more than 2 million years old. It could walk upright and climb trees. In general, the position of Formen Magnum (in simple words, where neck bones are connected to skull) determines whether a vertebrate walked upright or on four legs. More info will be presented by Dr. Lee Berger and colleagues.