The idea of evolution by Charles R. Darwin (1809- 1882) and Alfred R. Wallace (1823- 1913) shows that, animals change slowly from one kind to another. Changes in animal life are unnoticed as it happens too slowly. As surroundings constantly keep changing, those that adapt to the environment will survive at the expense of others. Darwin called this “the survival of the fittest.” Famous in his evolution theory is the claim that man evolved from a small tree-dwelling ape in the Central African forest some 25million years agocalled the Proconsul. From a deep ravine in Tanzania called the Olduvai Gorge, a ground ape which walked upright called Australopithecus also emerged. With their remains have been found old tools made out of bone and stone, used to kill and skin animals with, and so added meat to the berries, nuts and insects which their tree cousins fed on.
This amazing event raced through the centuries with the comings of the ape- man; the early humans called the Neanderthals, who were one and half meters tall, with heavy face and powerful jaws, thick eye brows and sloping forehead who lived in cold climatic regions during the days of the mammoth; and finally our own ancestor, who bears our name Homo sapiens. Some scientists named him Cro-Magnon man after a place in France where he lived, about 30,000 years ago. He had much more human face, noble forehead and pointed chin, and a better brain. He also grew taller and was gifted in his handiworks. He made beautiful weapons and tools out of bone and stone. Also was he a fine artist, famous for his cave paintings and carvings, which were found in a cave at Lascaux, France, by two school boys. The stages in the evolution theory are four. Which are from Australopithecus- Homo erectus or Pithecanthropus- Neanderthal man and then Cro-Magnon man.
Gradually, after thousands of years roaming about as hunters, early men began to settle down in one place. They hardly go hunting in the wild but rather to tame such animals for domestic purposes- ploughing, and carting of foodstuffs. These animals were allowed to mate to increase offspring. In time man lost his robustness and dangerous adventures. They now have a highly developed brain and so confront issues rationally and not with coercion.
The need to become domesticated explains the development in human societies. This is based on the knowledge that (thanks to evolution) as man and his surroundings constantly kept changing and his brains also thinking rationally, he sought to devise means to make living conditions better. He built homes, tamed animals, and grew crops. Man was turning into a farmer. The oldest trace of such a farming village lies under the walls of the ancient city of Jericho, and is 8000 years old. At long last man had reached the Neolithic or New Stone Age. It was the dawn of civilization, leading into history.
Following the advent of metal and the discovery of fire, man was now able to manufacture implements to help increase farm yields. They warmed themselves with the fire against cold climate prevailing at the time. The invention and successful use of metals dates back to antiquity- the Bronze and Iron Age, an era where men fought each other with swords, spears, bow and arrow, for power and territory. Man also had to depend onnear and far neighbours. This interdependence was due to limited resources. Good choices had to be made in order to maximize satisfaction and economic gains, a period known as Barter Trading- the exchange of goods or services agreed on by interested partners. However, some people felt cheated during the exchange. In resolving this man invented the use of money, which could circulate, had several denominations, and still maintained the price value of the commodity.
Today man can boast of success in the field of medicine, for he is able to advance in research to find appropriate drugs to treat diseases. He has also composed music to entertain himself, and dirges to mourn their dead. To ease long and tiring journeys he invented the automobile; built great structures, constructed roads, created interactive mediums like the radio, television and the internet, all in a bid to better life since he is no longer a homeless wanderer but a rational being who has settled down. His curiosity about climatic changes and the effects of cosmic entities on nature has encouraged him to venture into space, the moon and other planetary bodies.
Because of the changes in environment and events, man will always attempt to find solutions to problems that will occur. The reason has been that man is interested in arts and learning, coming up with arithmetic for mathematical calculations, and using scientific knowledge to explain phenomenon rather than acting on commonsense.
Domestication of man has brought impressive developments into his society. Evolution’s effect is still prevalent today as peoples past actions or lives are changed to embrace more positive attitudes and purposeful ambitions in life. There’s therefore an even greater hope of man’s advances in the untapped circles of life. This is the true essence of domestication and it’s marvelous in our eyes.
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