The homo sapiens belongs to the order of primates, in turn, the family of hominids belongs. The term refers to the human species in the line of species evolution. Homo sapiens is a Latin expression that literally means ‘thinking man’ or ‘wise man’.
The Homo sapiens is a species of the Homo , such as Homo nearthentalis or Homo erectus . However, it is the only one that has survived. This term includes both the current human being and the so-called “anatomically modern”, which is at least 200 thousand years old.
The first historical manifestation of homo sapiens occurred in the days of the Upper Paleolithic. Indeed, the first vestiges of human history were elaborated by it.
This species of the homo was responsible for the first tools made with stones and bone, in addition to having created the first artistic manifestations of humanity. Particularly significant are the sculptural figurines (Venus de Willendorf, Venus de Lespugue) or the cave paintings of the Altamira caves, in Cantabria. Likewise, homo sapiens is credited with the beginning of magical-religious thought.
The characteristics of Homo sapiens
The homo sapiens has a set of defining characteristics, among which we highlight:
- Greater cranial capacity, between 1500 and 1500 cm3;
- Forehead enlargement;
- Small jaw;
- Small teeth;
- Language development;
- Self-consciousness;
- Ability to associate ideas.
- Awareness of death
In addition, it has the following characteristics in common with other hominids:
- Hands and feet of five fingers;
- Opposable thumbs (although homo sapiensloses the opposable thumb of the feet);
- Development of both cerebral hemispheres;
- Clavicles;
- Nail;
- Stereoscopic vision;
- Sexual dimorphism (anatomical differentiation of the sexes);
- Bipedal locomotion.
