Humans and chimpanzees have close evolutionary ties, humans being the more advanced of the two species this is a given. Inescapably we are related having been bred from the same common ancestors (Wade, 2006). At a point in human and chimpanzee development the two species were by circumstance guided in separate evolutionary directions why is uncertain. It is this divergence that has led both species to their current status, and though we have become very different the differences are far out weighed by the many impressive similarities.
The DNA sequence of chimpanzees is a 99% match with humans, virtually identical (Wade, 2006). As new information on chimpanzees is brought to light a more deep understanding of the inner workings between our two species can be obtained. In a study by Lestel (1998) acculturation of primates and human to ape communication was examined, Kanzi a pygmy chimpanzee demonstrated a level of language comprehension similar to a two year old child. Chimpanzees are considered highly intelligent, lead complex social lives, and feel for one another (Wade, 2006). These characteristics bare a striking resemblance to human life. Clearly parallels can be drawn linking humans and chimpanzees that may provide a heightened degree of insight to human evolution for both the past and future.
Kanzi who is mentioned above was observed to have spontaneous access to symbolic language, understood spoken English quite well, and provided evidence of linguistic innovation (Lestel, 1998). In addition, Lestel (1998) also indicated that common chimpanzees also had access to symbols and were able to learn ASL ( American sign language), the chimpanzees in this study were able to ask questions and teach the language to other chimpanzees.
Results like this inevitably force us to question are past associations with other primates while seeking more detailed answers as to what generates each species unique but interrelated progression on the evolutionary journey.
Lestel, D., (1998) How chimpanzees have domesticated humans: Towards anthropology of human-ape communication. Anthropology Today, 14, 12-15.
Wade, N. (2006) Before the Dawn: Recovering the lost history of our ancestors. New York: Penguin Books, pp 264-279.
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From your post I learned that chimpanzees are capable of teaching other chimpanzees ASL, which I found very interesting. Is there any evidence showing ensephilization in the chimpanzees’ species? I was wondering if you were able to find any opposing data to what Wade has written. Your post was easy to read and comprehend. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have always heard about how similar we are to chimpanzees but have never heard details as to why. Your post gave me the reasons and evidence of our similarites, from DNA to the high intelligence found in both humans and chimps. But in addition to the similiarities you also explained how we are different. Good Job.
ReplyDeleteI understand that many think we come from a line of chimpanzees, however, if that is true and we came from them... why are there still chimpanzees around. If the monkey species saw that becoming a human worked better, then why didn't evolution kick out the chimp and bring in more humans. I understand that this is just one way of thinking, but somehow this version for me is hard to believe. But through your posting I saw some similarities, but not enough to think we evolved from chimps, you know what I mean. I enjoyed your writing style and found your information useful to me, as I keep pondering over this thought. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteVery well written blog. It is very mind boggling to think that humans evolved from primates, especially since as mentioned by Sadaf there still are chimps around. I really do find the whole evolutionary topic interesting though, and your blog allowed me to think consciously on a topic that is very interesting. Good job.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that our human DNA is a 99% match of chimpanzee DNA will always fascinate me. The fact that the remaining 1% is the difference between staying in the tree's and leaving the them to stand upright almost seems like a fluke of evolution. Maybe humans weren't supposed to happen. I guess life in the trees just wasn't good enough for some chimps. Great post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you all approved of my blog thank you for your positive input. To respond to cousin kimberly, I was unable to find any peer reviewed works that opposed the data in wade. To respond to sadaf, i am sorry if I miss represented the information, I did not intend to lead people to believe that humans evolved directly from chimpanzees rather that humans and chimpanzees evolved from a common ancestor that diverged and created two subsequent species. The reason chimpanzees as well as humans are still around is because both species have found environments where we can thrive or at least survive; thus far natural selection has not found the need to dictate further evolution. This however could change in the future.
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