Up until the mid 18th century the most commonly held belief was that all species were immutable, that they remained exactly as they were when they were first created. A new theory has to come to light however which drastically reassessed this point of view.

Evolutionary theory suggests that all forms of life have a common origin and that over time species evolve or develop into a different form. The main theorist behind the theory of evolution is Charles Darwin. Darwin called the process of evolution 'Natural selection'. This suggests that variations in all living organisms can arise and that these variations in certain situations can be advantageous or disadvantageous. It is thought that the organism which develops variations which are advantageous to its particular environment are more likely to survive and to reproduce their species with their descendants inheriting any advantageous characteristics. Those organisms without advantageous characteristics are thought to eventually die out and become extinct. It can be said then of natural selection that nature selects the breeding qualities, which safeguard the future of the speci

The capacity of the human brain and those of other animals has been extensively analysed but most scientists seem to agree that anatomical measurements are not enough to explain mans superiority. The major difference which was once thought to distinguish man from the animals was mans belief in God, but as Darwin pointed out this could not be innate in humans as it comes from 'a state of being', something which only becomes apparent after a period of time in a specific culture.

In charting the development of the human species from primitive apes to today's modern Homo Sapiens, there are still immense gaps in time which separate Homo Erectus 'the upright ape-man' and the early incarnations of ourselves proto Homo Sapiens. This 250,000 year gap serves as a crucial missing link in the chain which sees the upright ape man develop into the self aware, language utilising individual of today whom uses reason and has culture.

It was in his book the 'Origin of Species' 1859, in which Darwin first published his theory on evolution. In his book Darwin used many different species and organisms to illustrate his theory but was hesitant at this time in not openly referencing his theory to the human species as well. Although Darwin believed that his theory did also apply to humans because of the public belief in God and religion at that time he did not immediately publish his views. It was not until 1871 when Darwin published 'The Descent of Man' in which he suggested that humans too followed the process of natural selection and how he believed the human species had descended from African apes.

If Darwin's evolutionary theory is to apply to humans as well as to other forms of life then suitable evidence needs to be produced to prove this fact.

Thomas Huxley one of Darwin's colleagues at the time pointed out in his book 'Evidence to mans place in nature', the importance of making dental studies of both men and apes. He showed how the fossil discoveries of the 'old world' primates had 32 teeth, the same as humans but the 'new world' monkeys found today had 36 teeth. Huxley even went so far as saying that in every visible characteristic humans differ less from the higher apes than these apes do from their lower members of the same group.

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Approximate Word count = 2140
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)