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The Evolution of Humanity

The story of human evolution is a fascinating journey that spans millions of years, detailing the transformation of early primates into modern humans. This evolutionary path is marked by significant milestones in physical, cognitive, and cultural development.

Early Beginnings
The journey of human evolution begins with our ancient primate ancestors. Around 7 million years ago, the first hominins, the group that includes modern humans and our closest relatives, diverged from the ancestors of chimpanzees and bonobos. These early hominins, such as Sahelanthropus tchadensis, had both ape-like and human-like characteristics.

The Australopithecines
One of the most well-known early hominins is Australopithecus afarensis, exemplified by the famous fossil "Lucy," discovered in Ethiopia. Living around 3.9 to 2.9 million years ago, Australopithecus afarensis walked upright on two legs, a crucial step in human evolution, while still retaining some tree-climbing adaptations.

The Genus Homo
Around 2.4 million years ago, the genus Homo emerged. Homo habilis, known as the "handy man," was one of the earliest members of this genus. Homo habilis is associated with the creation of simple stone tools, marking the beginning of technological innovation.

Homo Erectus and Migration
Homo erectus, appearing around 1.9 million years ago, was a significant step forward in human evolution. This species exhibited larger brain sizes and more advanced tool use. Homo erectus was also the first hominin to migrate out of Africa, spreading to Asia and Europe, showcasing adaptability and survival skills in diverse environments.

Neanderthals and Modern Humans
One of the most famous relatives of modern humans is the Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis), who lived in Europe and western Asia. Neanderthals were skilled hunters and toolmakers, and they even created symbolic art and buried their dead. Around 300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens, our own species, emerged in Africa. Homo sapiens exhibited advanced cognitive abilities, leading to sophisticated language, art, and cultural practices.

The Great Leap Forward
Approximately 70,000 years ago, Homo sapiens underwent a "Great Leap Forward," marked by a significant increase in creativity and technological innovation. This period saw the development of complex tools, art, and the beginnings of organized societies.

The Agricultural Revolution
About 10,000 years ago, the Agricultural Revolution transformed human societies. The domestication of plants and animals led to the development of agriculture, allowing humans to settle in one place and form complex civilizations. This period saw the rise of cities, writing systems, and advanced technologies.

Modern Humans
Today, Homo sapiens are the only surviving members of the hominin lineage. Our species has spread across the globe, adapting to various environments and developing diverse cultures. The study of human evolution continues to uncover new insights, helping us understand our origins and the traits that make us uniquely human.

The journey of human evolution is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and ingenuity of our ancestors. It highlights the incredible transformations that have shaped us into the complex beings we are today.

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Drought-hit Danube River reveals scuttled German World War II ships

Mohacs, Hungary/Prahovo, Serbia
Reuters
—
The wrecks of explosives-laden Nazi ships sunk in the Danube River during World War II have emerged near Serbia’s river port town of Prahovo, after a drought in July and August that saw the river’s water level drop.

Four vessels dating from before 1950 have also come to light in Hungary’s Danube-Drava National Park near Mohacs, where the Danube’s water level stood at only 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) on Tuesday, the lingering effect of severe heat waves and persistent drought in July and August.

The vessels revealed in Prahovo were among hundreds scuttled along the Danube by Nazi Germany’s Black Sea fleet in 1944 as they retreated from advancing Soviet forces, destroying the ships themselves. The wrecks can hamper river traffic during low water levels.

Strewn across the riverbed, some of the ships still have turrets, command bridges, broken masts and twisted hulls, while others lie mostly submerged under sandbanks.

Endre Sztellik, a guard at the Danube-Drava national park, said of one of the ships, “we still don’t know what this is exactly. What is visible and an unfortunate fact is that the wreck is diminishing as people are interested in it and parts of it are going missing.”

The Danube stood at 1.17 meters (3.8 feet) in Budapest on Tuesday, which compares with an all-time record low of around 0.4 meters (1.3 feet) registered in October 2018. During floods, the Danube rises well above 6 meters (19.7 feet).

“Eastern Europe is experiencing critical drought conditions that are affecting crops and vegetation,” the European climate service Copernicus said on its website in its latest drought report, published earlier this month.

Long-awaited rainfall set in on Monday, which is expected to raise Danube levels to around 3 meters (9.8 feet) at Mohacs by the weekend, with the river likely to submerge the shipwrecks again.

The level of Poland’s longest river, the Vistula, has fallen to a record low, leaving sandbanks exposed in Warsaw and water so shallow a moose was filmed walking across it in a section in the countryside.

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