Human change over time

An image of a twisting double-helix.

Human evolution is a long process that spans millions of years. It traces how our ancestors gradually developed the biological and cultural traits that define modern humans. Learning about human evolution provides insights into our biological history, social behaviors, and how we are connected to other species.

To understand human evolution, we study

  • The shared characteristics of mammals, primates, hominoids and hominins.
  • The trends in hominin evolution including, changes in brain size and limb structure.
  • The evidence of hominin evolution including, the fossil record and DNA analysis.
  • The differing interpretations that are contested, refined or replaced when challenged by new evidence.
  • The patterns of migration of modern human populations around the world, including the migration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.

This resource explores human evolution, focusing on five key concepts:

To determine if this resource will benefit you, start by answering the following questions:

  • Can you define the characteristics that separate hominoids from other primates?
  • Are you able to observe fossil skulls of hominins and suggest which is older based on your knowledge of the trends seen in hominin evolution?
  • How does mitochondrial DNA help us uncover the migration patterns of early Homo sapiens around Australia?

The answers to these questions are provided on the following pages. Use this resource to refresh your memory, reinforce your understanding of these concepts, and prepare more effectively for university-level learning.