It contains a kernel of fact: we did evolve gradually from smaller apes. But, while the image presents its figures as a single lineage, the reality is not that simple. Nowadays we understand Ramapithecus to be closer to orangutans, Paranthropus to be its own (vegetarian?) lineage, and Neanderthals to be our cousins, not our parents. But some of the species Zallinger depicted are still considered ancestor candidates (Praeanthropus afarensis [a.k.a. “early Australopithecus�], Homo erectus, “Rhodesian Man�, etc.), and others are at least broadly similar to actual ancestors.
But that is a valid complaint about the image: hominoid evolution is a vast, branching, intertwining bush, not a single sequence. Until relatively recently, there were usually several coexisting species of stem-human at any given time. Tribes of Homo ergaster may have pestered Paranthropus, our own species (Homo sapiens) seems to have outcompeted Homo neanderthalensis, etc.
One of our mothers.Another problem is that every individual depicted by Zallinger is a fit, adult male. What about the women? The children? The elderly? The injured? Our species is represented solely by tall, athletic men—yet most people don't fit that category.Finally, although evolution is usually gradual, it's not always a smooth process, and it's not always along the gradients we first think of. Zallinger showed hominoids gradually walking more and more upright, but, in actuality, our lineage probably spent more and more time walking upright. Just try walking with an intermediate position for any length of time—it's not very comfortable! Chimpanzees and bonobos walk upright on occasion and don't seem to like walking with an intermediate position, either. And it's quite possible that our last common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos walked upright more often than they do! The full picture is quite complex—in some ways, we may be the primitive ones.
In summary, Zallinger's image is greatly simplified. That is part of its charm, and one of the reasons it's become so popular—it is instantly comprehensible. But that charm comes at a cost: ignoring many facets of human evolution. Can we do better?
A bonobo (Pan paniscus) standing upright.How could an image improve upon Zallinger's “March of Progress�? An artist would have to figure out how to show:
To me, there was an obvious solution: one gigantic image with hundreds of individuals. As with Zallinger's image, time could still go from left to right. But an extra dimension could be added to show geographic dispersal and phylogenetic divergence/convergence. I had in mind an image using isometric perspective (the perspective used in computer games such as Q*bert, SimCity, and Warcraft), with left-to-right showing time and up-and-down showing a combination of phylogenetic and geographic distance.
After doing some research and making a rough sketch, I began to draw the full image on a large roll of paper. But it soon became clear to me that this would be too hard to arrange and revise. I switched to using a large Photoshop file, with individual figures imported as layers. But this would not work, either—after I had spent a month to complete just a couple dozen figures, it became clear to me that this was not a one-man task.
That's where you come in.
Figures in isometric perspective (random arrangement).With your help, The March of Man can become a collaborative paleo-art piece on an unprecedented scale, with the works of many artists organized into a vast, informative collage. If you are an artist and would like to participate, simply follow these steps:
1. Sign up for an account. (See the "Register" button at top right.) 2. Create an image depicting one or more of some hominin species. (Click here for further details on image requirements.) 3. Save your image as a PNG file with transparency turned on. 4. Submit your image, filling out the necessary information. (Click here if you are registered and logged in.) 5. Repeat steps 2–4. (And tell other artists!)
Once a sufficient library of images has been built up, I will begin to synthesize it into collages. Each one will be attributed to the full list of contributors. And with a suitable bank of figures, there may be other ways to arrange them in an informative manner.
“The March of Progress� is a classic, but perhaps we can improve on it.
The March of Man is a collaborative paleo-art project with the goal of depicting the evolution of hominins in unprecedented detail. Click here to read more.
Just me, Mike Keesey. (I did get some technical help from Michael Allman.) I am doing this as a hobby.
Another paleo-art website I've created is The Dinosauricon.
Any further questions? Email me.
I'm using “man� in its original meaning, i.e., “human�. (“The March of Humanity�, etc. just didn't have the same ring.)
Images must be submitted as PNG files with transparency. In Adobe Photoshop, one way to do this is to click on File > Save for Web, then select “PNG-24� as the output format with the “Transparency� checkbox checked.
This is fairly flexible, but in general they should be at least 500 pixels high, preferably a bit larger. There is a file size cap of 500 Kb. You will be asked to indicate what the length of a meter is in your image, so they will all end up using the same scale. The larger the original is, the better it will scale down, but images need not be any larger than about 1000–2000 pixels high.
Every image should include at least one full figure, softly lit from above (i.e., semi-diffuse noonday sun), with a shadow below. Multiple figures are also permissible. In general, other objects should be left out, but it may be okay to include tools, minimal clothing, etc. One exception would be for climbing figures, which may include tree trunks or branches.
Every figure must be fully shown (except if obscured by another figure in the same image). No figure should be a portrait, bust, or any other cropped form.
With the exception of tools, minimal clothing, and climbing surfaces, there should be nothing other than the figure(s)—no environmental elements. In place of ground there should be transparency. The figure's cast shadow should be black and partly transparent.
No figure should be excessively stylized (e.g., cartoony, Cubist, etc.). All must be softly lit from above, and in the required perspective (see below).
You can use any medium you want, as long as the end result is reasonably photorealistic. In general, that would favor paintings (physical or digital), digital 3D works, sculpture, and photography itself (modified), but that does not rule out other media.
Works must be in color.
The final collage(s) will depict the divergence of our lineage (Hominina) from the chimpanzee/bonobo lineage (Panina). Thus, it will require representatives of any taxon descended (or possibly descended) from our last common ancestor with Pan (chimpanzees and bonobos): Australopithecus, Ardipithecus, Homo, Kenyanthropus, Orrorin, Pan, Paranthropus, Praeanthropus, and Sahelanthropus. This includes modern species (Homo sapiens, Pan paniscus, P. troglodytes). It also includes hypothetical transitional species (e.g., the ancestors of Pan after the split with the human lineage).
All images must be in orthographic perspective (i.e., no vanishing point) from an isometric view (i.e., halfway between being on the same level and looking straight down).
Any way you want, within the bounds of realism. One of the points of this project is to show more diversity than in Zallinger's “March of Progress�. As in that illustration, figures can be walking, but they can also be sitting, lying down, running, standing, climbing, fighting, hugging, whatever. In general it is best if the figures face toward the right, but there should be some variation.
Figures should be nude, or at least close to nude. The intention is more to show changes in biology than changes in culture. (Although some technology may appear: tools, etc.) Some body paint or decorations may be used for Homo sapiens and perhaps close relatives.
That's a natural (and pretty important) part of life. Some figures may be shown copulating, etc. (if tastefully done—whatever that means).
No.
You do. By submitting images, you agree to allow me to display them on this website, individually or as part of a collage, but you retain ownership. (And see below about removing images.)
Yes. Any time your image is displayed, whether on its own or as part of a collage, it will be accompanied by a copyright notice crediting you.
The March of Man has tighter image security than is provided by most websites. However, I can make no guarantees.
There are no immediate plans for this. Should any arise, you will be contacted. Your work will not be displayed anywhere without your approval.
Yes. At any time, you may remove any of your images or update them with newer versions. You may also cancel your account at any time, which will remove all of your images from the database.
The only exception is for the collages which will ultimately be produced. Although I would like to honor all artists' requests to remove or update figures in these, I cannot guarantee that this will happen in a timely fashion.
Sahelanthropus tchadensis is known from a single skull, named "Toumaï". The attachment of the neck indicates a posture similar to that of chimps. Brow ridges are quite large.
Somewhat chimp-like apes with some human-like features, notably small canines and a more frequently upright stance.
Just known from a few teeth, but apparently a species of chimpanzee was living in the Rift Valley half a million years ago. Should look like the living chimp species, but perhaps with some very minor adaptations to living in an arid environment (e.g., slightly less hair?).
Bonobos, or "pygmy chimpanzees".
Eastern or long-haired chimpanzees.
Central or black-faced chimpanzees.
Nigerian chimpanzees.
Western or masked chimpanzees.
Early chimp-sized ape-men. Barely differentiated from the chimpanzee line (Panina). May have stood or walked upright more often than chimpanzees do. May still have been a jungle-dweller.
Early chimp-sized ape-men. Barely differentiated from the chimpanzee line (Panina). Toes less opposable. Probably have stood or walked upright more often than chimpanzees do.
Intermediate between A. kadabba and later homininans, such as Praeanthropus anamensis.
Maximum Female Height: 0.9m
Maximum Male Height: 1.2m
Praeanthropus anamensis:
Early chimp-sized ape-men. Generally erect stance. Hair might be just starting to resemble human patterns at this stage, with longish head hair.
Intermediate between Ardipithecus and later homininans, such as P. bahrelghazali and P. afarensis.
Maximum Female Height: 0.9m
Maximum Male Height: 1.2m
Praeanthropus afarensis:
Early chimp-sized ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might be just starting to resemble human patterns at this stage, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Intermediate between P. anamensis and later homininans, such as Australopithecus africanus.
Includes the famous "Lucy" specimen.
Early chimp-sized ape-men. Generally erect stance. Hair might be just starting to resemble human patterns at this stage, with longish head hair.
This may be an offshoot to the line leading to humans, from P. afarensis.
Gracile ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might somewhat resemble human patterns at this stage, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Intermediate between Praeanthropus and Paranthropus.
Gracile ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might resemble human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Shares traits with Australopithecus africanus, Paranthropus, and early Homo. Perhaps there was interbreeding?
Somewhat robust ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might somewhat resemble human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Intermediate between Praeanthropus afarensis or Australopithecus africanus and later Paranthropus, such as P. robustus and P. boisei.
Robust ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might somewhat resemble human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Last of the robust australopithecinans.
Robust ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might somewhat resemble human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Gracile ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might resemble human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Intermediate between Praeanthropus afarensis and Homo, quite possibly still interbreeding with P. afarensis.
Gracile ape-men. Erect stance. Hair might resemble modern human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Intermediate between Kenyanthropus platyops and larger Homo, such as H. ergaster. Possibly interbreeding with H. rudolfensis.
Ape-like humans. Erect stance. Hair might resemble modern human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Intermediate between Kenyanthropus platyops and larger Homo, such as H. ergaster. Possibly interbreeding with H. habilis.
Ape-like humans. Erect stance. Hair might resemble modern human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Possible dead-end branch off of H. habilis. Close to H. floresiensis ancestry?.
Ape-like humans. Erect stance. Hair might resemble modern human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Hypothetical ancestors of H. floresiensis.
Ape-like humans. Erect stance. Hair might resemble modern human patterns, with longish head hair and somewhat less body hair.
Dead end, late-surviving island species.
Large ape-like humans. Erect stance. Hair probably resembles modern human patterns, with longish head hair and less body hair.
Intermediate between earlier Homo, such as H. rudolfensis and H. habilis, and later Homo, such as H. erectus and H. antecessor.
Large ape-like humans. Erect stance. Hair probably resembles modern human patterns, with longish head hair and less body hair.
Intermediate between earlier Homo, such as H. ergaster, and later Homo, such as H. antecessor, although much of this species may lead to a dead end. Possibly interbreeding with H. antecessor, and maybe even with H. heidelbergensis and early H. sapiens.
Large humans. Hair probably resembles modern human patterns, with long head hair and less body hair.
Large humans. Hair probably resembles modern human patterns, with long head hair and less body hair.
Intermediate between H. ergaster/H. erectus and later Homo species, such as H. cepranensis and H. sapiens.
Large humans. Hair probably resembles modern human patterns, with long head hair and less body hair.
May represent a nexus between H. antecessor and later Homo.
Large, robust humans. Hair probably resembles modern human patterns, with long head hair and less body hair (although there may have been adaptations to a tundra environment).
Evolutionary dead end, although with possible infrequent interbreeding with early H. sapiens.
Later, Western European specimens tend to be more robust.
Large humans. Hair resembles modern human patterns, with long head hair and less body hair.
May represent a nexus between H. heidelbergensis and H. sapiens idaltu.
Large, gracile humans. Hair has modern human patterns, with long head hair and little body hair.
Intermediate between H. antecessor and H. s. sapiens.
Large, gracile humans. Generally long head hair and little body hair. Many geographical varieties. Later specimens tend to be more gracile.
Hominina (or "pan-Homo") is the total clade including humans and eveything sharing more recent ancestry with them than with chimpanzees. Illustrations filed here should be of the earliest members of this group, chimp-like jungle-dwellers with mild propensity for standing upright.
Homininae is the clade including gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans. This project does not include gorillas, so illustrations entered under Homininae should be of apes closer to chimps and humans than to gorillas, but predating the split between chimp and human lineages.
Sahelanthropus tchadensis and Ororrin tugenensis may belong in this category. These apes were somewhat chimp-like but with slightly smaller teeth (although not as small as those of humans). They may have stood upright more often than chimps do, although this is far from clear.
This is the least inclusive clade containing chimpanzees and humans. Illustrations filed here should be of the final common ancestors to humans and chimpanzees, or apes like those ancestors.
Panina (or "pan-Pan") is the total clade including chimpanzees and eveything sharing more recent ancestry with them than with humans. Illustrations filed here should be of chimpanzee-like apes, potential ancestors to both common chimpanzees and bonobos.
Unfortunately, this group is not well-attested in the fossil record, since all members were probably jungle dwellers.
Pan includes both common chimpanzees (P. troglodytes) and bonobos, or "pygmy chimpanzees" (P. paniscus). Illustrations filed here should be of common ancestors to both modern species of chimpanzee, that is, generalized chimpanzees without the characteristics that distinguish the modern species from each other.
Common chimpanzees (a.k.a. "robust chimpanzees"). Illustrations filed here should be of generalized common chimpanzees without any of the particular characteristics of the modern subspecies. Illustrations that are specifically of living chimps should be placed in the appropriate subspecies.