Evidence for Human Evolution

Human evolution is based on evidence collected from multiple fields such as palaeontology, comparative anatomy, and molecular biology.
Palaeontology provides fossil evidence, where remains of early humanoids such as Homo habilis and Homo erectus have been found. Older fossils exhibit more primitive features, while younger fossils show more evolved and complex features, pointing towards human evolution.
Certain structures present in humans are similar to other animals suggesting common ancestry. This is known as homologous structures. For example, the human arm bone structure has similarities with the wing of a bat and the flipper of a whale, indicating a common ancestor.
Evidence from comparative anatomy also includes vestigial structures or organs that have no apparent function, but resemble structures present in other animals. These suggest that while evolution altered their function, they were retained. For example, humans have a small tail bone at the end of the spine which is a vestigial structure.
Molecular biology provides evidence through DNA and protein structure comparisons. As the genetic code is universal, if two species have a high similarity in DNA sequences, it indicates a common evolutionary path.
Comparative embryology shows that embryos of different species look very similar in their early stages, indicating a common ancestor.
Archaeology has provided tools and artefacts used by early humans, demonstrating how intellectual abilities and culture evolved over time.
Evolutionary trees or phylogenetic trees can depict relationships between species, providing a visual representation of shared ancestry.
Charles Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection is pivotal in understanding human evolution. He suggested that variations advantageous for survival are retained in the population, leading to evolution over generations.

Always remember, however, that while the evidence for evolution is comprehensive and compelling, new discoveries and research continue to add to it.