Evolution has always been a topic of interest to the scientific community. Darwin Evolution explains the phenomenon of evolutionary variation between generations of organisms, which can evolve from primitive simple organisms into complex and intelligent species. Therefore, many scientists believe that humans evolved from apes.
In 2004, a group of white-faced capuchin monkeys on a small island in Panama attracted the attention of scientists because these monkeys could actually use stone tools. This surprised the scientists. What was going on?
The Origin and Evolution of Humans
As we all know, the common ancestor of human beings is the apes in the primitive period. After research by scientists, they have found that their genes and humans have a genetic overlap of 96%. It can also be understood that humans evolved from "animals".
However, our evolution from apes to humans did not happen overnight. It took countless years and environmental influences such as natural selection to evolve into the humans we are today. In the primitive period, we were all "unkempt" and had very strong hair. We were covered in "hair" all over our bodies, just like animals. In fact, if we want to eat meat, we can only eat the leftover food of animals. This is because we humans do not have huge bodies and running limbs like animals.
Later, in the process of ape evolution, Homo habilis, Homo erectus , Homo Mauritania, Homo sapiens and other species appeared. And we humans also evolved from only eating scraps of cold food to boiling water for cooking, and then realized the existence of fire.
Later, during the process of human evolution, the brain developed further, which made us humans more and more capable of making and using tools, and even produced language, ushering in the Stone Age of us humans. "Drilling wood to make fire" was the most famous achievement at that time. It was the emergence of this achievement that allowed us humans to learn to use fire to polish various tools. The Stone Age also became a sign of the transition from the ape-man stage to us modern humans.
The "Stone Age" of Panamanian monkeys
The scientific name of the Panamanian monkey is the white-faced capuchin monkey. This monkey is relatively petite, moves quickly and has keen vision. It has a long and flexible tail and can shuttle through the woods at very fast speeds.
As we all know, the ability to use tools is the most significant feature that distinguishes humans from other animals. In 2017, German ecologists discovered that on a remote island in Panama, the young white capuchin monkeys on the island could already use tools to obtain fruits, so they conducted a year of research and observation on these monkeys.
Observations found that these Panamanian monkeys can now use stones to break open coconuts, snails and crabs and other food. They can also make some relatively simple stone tools, use sharp stones as weapons, and cut things. They will also collect these stones for next use.
Not only that, Panamanian monkeys also have a mature social group. Generally, the group contains about 20 individuals. Females are the most respected. It can be said to be a matrilineal society. It can also imitate human lifestyles and can even be applied to real life. It has its own unique communication method. That is to say, although they do not look like humans, the way they communicate with each other is somewhat like human communication.
These signs are surprising, so some people say that these monkeys have entered the Stone Age. In fact, animals use some simple tools one or more times, and they are not made by themselves. It cannot be said that they have entered the Stone Age, or even reached the Stone Age. This is just a stage of using tools.
Panamanian monkeys can already use tools. Some people worry that Panamanian monkeys will evolve higher intelligence and culture along the direction of human evolution. So are Panamanian monkeys not far away from becoming humans?
Is it possible for Panamanian monkeys to evolve into humans?
In fact, judging from the current situation, Panamanian monkeys are not yet qualified to evolve into intelligent life.
- Simple use of tools is not evolution
For a long time, one of the biggest differences between humans and other animals is that humans can make and use tools, but with the development of human society and With the advancement of science and technology, this standard is also being upgraded. It is not just about simply using stones, branches, etc., Panamanian monkeys are animals that have not opened their intelligence. Although they are relatively smart, they can only use and make some simple tools at most. If this would evolve, then chimpanzees should have evolved long ago, but since 6 million years ago, chimpanzees have not yet completed evolution.
- The use of tools is not necessarily related to evolution
The use of tools is not necessarily related to evolution. Because there are some animals around the world that can use simple tools to obtain food. For example, after otters catch clams , they will smash the clams hard on the rocks on the shore and then get the clam meat . There are also chimpanzees using wooden sticks to dig out termites and so on.
- IQ, wisdom, independent thinking are essential for evolution
It takes more than IQ to evolve into a human being , wisdom, and the ability to think independently. You need to learn to express yourself with language. The most basic thing is to learn to walk upright. There is no thinking and creation behind the simple use of tools, which means nothing. Take human beings, let alone us scientists who can create aircraft detectors, etc. Ordinary humans can make some tools, and this can be considered evolution.
Summary
In fact, humans don’t have to worry too much about the further evolution of Panamanian monkeys, which may even threaten the status of humans.
The evolutionary process of living things is a slow and uncertain process . Our human Stone Age began 2.5 million years ago. Taking a step back 10,000 years, even if these monkeys have entered the Stone Age, from now on the white-faced capuchins have entered the Stone Age. Counting from the Age of Machines, its evolution will take 2.5 million years or even longer. It will take a long way. If you want to evolve into a highly intelligent creature, you need to overcome its own difficulties and variables in the middle. During this period, humans are also evolving and may evolve into more powerful and highly intelligent creatures, so there is no need to worry too much about these monkeys.
and According to the theory of evolution, the common ancestor of humans is a primate similar to a chimpanzee in ancient times. It took many evolutions to evolve into the present, which is not an easy task. Therefore, it is impossible for some of the current apes to evolve into humans, let alone these monkeys.
