The Evolution of Man

[Polar]

They had to adapt to the African plains instead of dwelling up on trees or forested environments (also the reason for less body hair). For a primate, walking on all fours within an infinitely-lengthy environment such as a desert would be quite energy-consuming, thus bipedalism (my theory, not proven).

Total body strength, as a result of this change, became extremely devalued unlike that of the great apes. Simply look at a very strong skeleton of a modern human compared to a Homo Erectus skeleton. Similarly, look at a Homo Erectus skeleton compared to a gorilla skeleton: huge differences in bone density, cortical bone thickness, and total bone diameter.

The point is, even the most strongest of our species is quite gracile in bone structure compared to a smallish Neanderthal, so that tells quite a bit about our evolution (regarding strength). Reply