Our Earliest Ancestors

[@StefanMilo]

Stupid of me not to mention this in the video but obviously, the closer we get in time to the last common ancestor of us and chimps, the more we will see specimens with a mixture of archaic and modern features. So it shouldn't surprise us that there is a lot of debate around early hominins. If we had the fossils of the last common ancestor, the first hominin and the first panin in front of us on a table, we probably couldn't identify which skeleton belonged to which family. They'd be too similar. Also, if the ancestors of us and chimps were interbreeding for millions of years then a clear cut off is never going to be identifiable. It may have just been a big orgy of ever so slightly different apes for thousands of generations. Big ape orgies make classifications hard. Thanks for watching, adios. Edit: ar. Ramidus is from the pliocene, not Miocene. The mistake is mine. Apologies.

[@pradapapii7578]

New fan here, I went back and watch your entire channel and you have sparked many new fascination, I would like to thank you Stefon your channel is great keep up the good work.

[@StefanMilo]

Thanks! Those early videos are not quite as good lol.

[@Schizotypic]

Given the behavior of certain extant relatives *cough* bonobos *cough* big ape orgies are certainly NOT out of the question

[@StefanMilo]

That's true lol

[@jakobraahauge7299]

Inspiring to hear such unapologetically free speech about the Apes we are or were - depending on the perspective! And all in good and enlightened humor 😄 Milo, you are a delight! Sorry if I've been as snarly 😁 as the history of our ancestry! It's a most interesting topic - and so well presented! 👍🏼

[@NorthernChev]

PBS Eons started me down this anthropology path a few years ago and you've now slammed it home for me. The way you present the information through your videos makes it very easy to understand. I especially like how you, seemingly, don't hold back in your presentation of information. You span the entire distance with each subject, starting with the basics on your way to disseminating the latest conventional theory. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You really are making a difference, if that matters to you.

[@StefanMilo]

Thanks for kind words, they do mean a lot.

[@andrewtataj497]

mine was national geograhic. Back in the mid-90's they did an extended series of articles over a few years' worth of issues. Since then, I consume just about every story I can on the stuff. It's not just the topic, it's the the idea of seeing the scientific method unfolding in real time. Well worth following throughout my adult life.

[@GastropodGaming2006]

it was sci show's facts about human evolution for me; watched it in 2016

[@letyvasquez2025]

I began by buckling in on a clear night so that I may have a front row seat to watch the gradual entropic demise of the observable universe

[@thaprofessa2296]

I’m sure you’re aware but NORTH 02 makes great human history videos like Milo. Different style though

[@tigersharkzh]

Did they use plastic spoons as microphone holders too or is this just the pinnacle of evolution?

[@StefanMilo]

Only further research can answer this complex question.

[@solarnaut]

@@StefanMilo ... Haaa ! it was a pretty funny transition ... one second I'm watching two chimps humping while looking to the camera ... next there's this hairy beast of a man-child-ape play acting like a kid at a karaoke ice cream party ! ;-)

[@directeducation2890]

@@StefanMilo Earlier, more primitive hominins clipped their mics to forks and therefore often poked themselves painfully in the face.

[@ScottStratton]

If only we could find the earliest common ancestor that clipped mics to sticks, we’d know so much more about mic-utensil-hominid evolution! Keep digging people!

[@bozo5632]

When aliens land in Sheboygan they will be using tnixvuart to attach uuidwoms to plastic spoons. It's just convergent evolution.

[@Wizardsleave69]

Ancient man: used rocks to crack nuts from shells Modern man: tapes a tiny microphone to plastic spoon

[@johndigiovanni622]

Cool

[@guardrailbiter]

He should have used a spork.

[@djfrank68]

I think it’s a clip-on😁

[@lindascanlan6317]

🤣

[@allendepacheco3419]

Modern problems require modern solutions

[@maggiebrinkley4760]

So fascinating! (And I love how you have your microphone taped to a plastic spoon! We Hominins are so good at adapting things to good use!)

[@StefanMilo]

4 million years of evolution and what's the result? A mic clipped to a spoon.

[@bozo5632]

We stand on the dandruffy shoulders of giants.

[@bozbozman1575]

I would have used a flipper, that’s just me props

[@nobody8328]

@@bozbozman1575 I'm just sitting here in america, trying to figure out why you want to clip your mic to a swim fin...🙃

[@ian_b]

Is that an ad hominem?

[@HistoryTime]

Great vid. I think you should make a video like this for every single species of early hominid. They are the best videos on KZbin in this niche 🖖

[@StefanMilo]

Eventually I will yeah

[@HistoryTime]

Also what is the difference if any between hominid and hominin? I’ve seen both used and just wandered if there’s a distinction

[@mickdipiano8768]

Agreed with history time you make the best videos on these topics.

[@sonikku956]

@@HistoryTime Hominids are all great apes, while hominins are all great apes closer to us than gorillas and chimpanzees

[@forcelightningcable9639]

Man really knows how to spoon-feed facts to his audience.

[@koalagirl3]

I’m half way through the video and I only just realised the joke.

[@jimothy8474]

@Tyler B #2 but why? Why would he do that? What would he be gaining?

[@keaco73]

Jimothy religious conspiracy nuts think they’re living in the movie “god is not dead.” The victim complex they constantly have is not only hysterical but pathetic.

[@backwardsdovah9373]

Wheezy literally thought about it and then saw the spoon

[@backwardsdovah9373]

Tyler B #2 not only did you not get the joke, you’re also very very stupid

[@ryanmathis8286]

Click like if you want Stefan Milo and Tierzoo to do a video on Homo Species

[@caseykafka5009]

youre dad better be s teir

[@yensid4294]

People had/have such rigid ideas of what "the missing link" should look like that many transitional fossils are excluded & argued over. But mother nature (evolution) is a tinkerer not a designer, so many different combinations of physical traits were probably "test run." So you might get ape-like teeth with human-like feet for instance in a skull that's halfway inbetween. Bipedialism was important but it didn't have to come before everything else necessarily. An unintelligent, helpless, upright walker out on the savannah wouldn't have survived very long...

[@russellmillar7132]

Every individual of every species that passes on genetic traits to offspring IS a transitional form.

[@yensid4294]

@@russellmillar7132 exactly

[@yensid4294]

@boo boo full bipedalism was a gradual process that most likely started with just having more dexterous fore limbs to gather more food which also required a less specialized gut. Protein can be found in insects, grubs, worms & nuts which as you said allowed for a better brain. They've found fossils that indicate early hominids were still most likely semi arboreal even though technically bipedal. Cooking with fire came much later & so did the hunting that gave long distance running an advantage to hominids. I'm talking about very early hominids here which is what is being discussed in the video.

[@andrew348]

@@yensid4294 The paleoanthroplogical findings show that bipedalism came at least a million years, but closer to two million before brain size grew.

[@yensid4294]

@@andrew348 intelligence doesn't have to equal human intelligence. The early hominids just had to be smarter than the apes they evolved from to learn to survive in a new environment. If they hadn't, homo erectus & homo habilis wouldn't have discovered fire & tool making that 2 million years later that led to the " big brains" of homo sapiens. I didnt think it was that controversial. I never said that Australapithcenes had human intelligence.

[@robertkirby8685]

Sahelanthropus: A Miocene ape that could be our ancestor, maybe an ancestor of chimpanzees, maybe the last common of humans and chimps, or maybe just a cousin to the last common of humans and chimps.

[@clarabeegee4796]

Hmmmm he does remind me of someone.....

[@danielcristancho3738]

No Kirby. Your ancestors were humans. Have always been humans. Man and ape are not related. You need a trip to the zoo.

[@profharveyherrera]

Man, I just love the way you explain anthropology and archeology in your videos

[@mrvn000]

Me too.

[@aronjanssonnordberg307]

I like that you always mention the assumptions upfront, so we know the potential errors. You don't just uncritically present them. Very good video.

[@nirmalghanta]

I'm so glad that I found your channel. I never knew that I would find knowing about the history of human culture and species interesting. Thank you very much!

[@wickedsamurai3323]

I was just watching through your catalogue when I saw this! Keep up the great work Stefan

[@StefanMilo]

Perfect timing

[@gallo5263]

Having just found your channel, and watched all the recent videos, I am now working through the older stuff. It is striking that every moment in front of camera you are smiling - I love it. Fascinating stuff delivered with humour and a smile, what more could we possibly want. Thanks Stefan.

[@TheWuschi]

I feel the urge to tell you, how much I appreciate your videos! Very solid scientific facts, far from any sensationalism, but always seasoned with a nice (white plastic) spoon of humor. Just the way I love me my anthropology! - What I also like very much, is the fact, that you don't dissipate in fruitless quarrels with Creationists and other flatheads - I know, that this is something to bring a shitton of clicks (I am subscribed to quite a row of channels which do that well, funny and successfully), but you just serve the hard facts (plus the juicy stories, in many of your history lessons) without even bothering about religious (modern time) woowoo. Thank you very much for all your content! Wish I could support you on patreon, but since my former occupation has been wiped out by Covid19, I'd wish for a set of those early primate teeth to chew on barks and leafs for myself... Greetings from Vienna, Austria!

[@stefanocalesini3923]

This video is so well made and full of interesting notions, i'll have to watch it again and again. Cheers mate, 'numero uno'!

[@rikurautasalo2173]

Came across your channel yesterday and have since binged nearly all of your videos - absolutely fasctinating stuff! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

[@jegerheihei]

Jau

[@danielschmidt9427]

Groovy outro music is "Live Jam in Polynesia" by Arc De Soleil

[@noah5664]

This video is very high quality. I especially love the music choice. Good job Stefan!

[@Unholycrumpet]

Seeing you with your spoon makes me so happy. Also, love then production quality!

[@matthenschen84]

It feels so nice to watch something so well made and so smart. I feel smarter. Thanks

[@mikepeterson9362]

Hey brother, another great video. Your subscriber count has a long way to go to catch up to the quality of your content and production values. There's a ton of material out there on this subject, but it's all dated. You can watch old History Channel documentaries all day, but in a field where a single find can have such an impact on the evolutionary story, channels like this are super important. Thank you! And keep 'em comin'!

[@martialfitnessnyc]

Hello from NYC, glad you're still putting out content, wasn't sure if you stopped making videos. This was really interesting, keep them coming!

[@julicaru4812]

Nooooooooo ! Lol

[@panpsychism_]

There was soup waiting for him after completing the video.

[@MrThatguyuknow]

It's been amazing to watch your video quality skyrocket over the years. Also that guy with the pizzas

[@chrisdooley6468]

Gotta say that was the greatest microphone setup I’ve ever seen lol. Love it. Use the spoon from now on lol 😆

[@nuao88]

The spoon has been a staple for quite some time now, dont mess with perfection 😁🥄

[@gavinrush4995]

You are an amazing presenter/teacher! Thanks so much for your work.

[@bredmond812]

Great video! I wanted to let you know that i love your videos on the neolithic and mesolithic. Not a lot of people make videos on that period and it is an area i want more information on.

[@StefanMilo]

Definitely more videos on those periods on the way. I sort of paused them for a bit because I was going to go home to britain and film on site. Obvs covid had stopped that but I still want neolithic Britain to be filmed on location.

[@bredmond812]

@@StefanMilo Great! Glad to hear it.

[@orsolyafrank573]

These are so great! Informative, moderate, accessible - I love them. I was just going through all my emails and unsubscribing from as many things as I could ... notifications of these videos are, I believe, the only survivor. No, the Intercept is another. Even though Hungary is a d'd long way away from the US. I hope, Stephen, you are doing fine healthwise.

[@eacalvert]

@stephenmilo I wish you weren't so hard on yourself. The effort you and your team put in really shows. Besides, your dad. Tiny humans are energy vampires. Scientific fact

[@octarinetree470]

Excellent video on a subject that often gets overlooked. Nice work mate. I loo forward to more uploads.

[@notbobrosss3670]

We need to all chip in and crowdfund to a spork upgrade.

[@longpinkytoes]

i like the implication that we are at least partly ready for some solid food by now

[@timothyupham1475]

You are a wonderful teacher. I just really found your videos, but I love the subjects/topics of your videos and your delivery. I will include your videos in my homeschool curriculum for my kiddos soon and I just want to thank you for helping me teach my children about science, the scientific method, human discovery, and about the amazing world we live in. Great job and thank you

[@sidilicious11]

I have honing complex on my right canines, Oy! Thank you for teaching us about some hominids, you made it interesting.

[@listentome2648]

OMG YOURE AWESOME! ever since I found u m8, I cant stop watching your vids man! keep it up

[@AnAmericanComposer]

What was the transition music you used after the introduction? It sounds awesome.

[@rak810]

lo-fi hiphop. You can check Nujabes. He is like the father of this genre.

[@TheNursejules]

I just love that you put your references in the description. Class act my friend!

[@diktatoralexander88]

yea just amazing what they could find that could rewrite everything. Imagine if they found the common ancestor from 6 million years ago completely frozen and preserved.

[@stephenderry9488]

Unlikely, in Africa...

[@diktatoralexander88]

@@stephenderry9488 unlikely in Africa but what if it's in Europe?

[@41052]

@@diktatoralexander88 damn I thought we evolved and pretty much stayed in Africa until recently, I feel kinda dumb now 🥲

[@panjandrum.conundrum]

​@@diktatoralexander88Hominins didn't leave Africa until pretty recently, 70,000 years or so ago.

[@diktatoralexander88]

@@panjandrum.conundrum Neanderthals left 200,000 years ago, and hedielbergensis left even before then. Homo Sapiens is pretty recent yes, but most estimates are 200,000 to 70,000 years ago

[@ropersonline]

0:55: OMG, I love the spooncrophone. This may be the first time I've watched any of your videos, but I can already tell this is going to be good. ☺

[@thisfool89]

God i love science!. Human evolution is forever fascinating. I cant get enough of it.

[@markrymanowski719]

You never will.

[@pukinooki]

Looooving your channel. ✨ amazing work

[@ardechirpakfar6823]

MVP: The spoon!

[@maxsmith8196]

Ardechir Pakfar the plastic spoon was most likely ceremonial

[@delishme2]

😆❣

[@allones3078]

Great mic and content. Love you videos. Cheers from Portland OR.

[@bec_r_r]

Evolution is like when you play a game of snooker. It starts out with a whole lot of balls on the table but as you progress thru the game there are fewer and fewer. That’s why it’s hard to work out what went on as there were so many all with slight variations to each other. Perhaps a different way of classifying the bones not just relying of comparisons, idk maybe they already do that.

[@elshaddaimosthigh5003]

I'd say evolution theory is ridiculous and doesn't explain the creation of life, because that's what it is, a creation. Adaptation is real sure, but life is clearly a creation.

[@Twittler1]

Pum Pum Ridah Get back in your box of religious myths - don’t forget to close the lid after you.

[@elshaddaimosthigh5003]

​@@Twittler1 The earliest life is INSANELY complicated... Life did not come from rocks dissolving in the sea... Get real, get right with God

[@elshaddaimosthigh5003]

@Dieter Gaudlitz I wouldn't know about magic nor would I want to mess with it. God is the answear.

[@Twittler1]

Pum Pum Ridah I can’t get right with something non-existent. ‘Rocks dissolving in the sea’????? WTF are you on about? Have you been reading creationist accounts of evolution? They’re a hive of lies, misinterpretation, and fantasy. Get educated.

[@jobes4525]

Archaeologist here. Just discovered this channel. Love it! 🙏 TY 😁

[@raptorhart]

I was just discussing this topic with my brother! Perfect timing, now I can make him watch this. Thanks! Another great video.

[@republikadugave420]

This channel is fast becoming my fav on youtube...content isnt (yet) pure garbage but an absolute treat..thank you for bringing such amazing content to youtube

[@Kosovar_Chicken]

Sometimes if I drink too much or eat too many mushrooms I start regressing and “chimping out” is this because the Irish are the missing link between humans and chimps?

[@geraldfriend256]

Just Conor

[@thalljoben3551]

I love how calm and ambient your videos are. The best way to learn is while relaxing.

[@samgamgee7384]

From the plastic spoon he's talking into we can see that Stefan Milo comes from tool users.

[@hillloguz5810]

I just found your channel and I am already in love with it. I am obsessed with anthropology and evolution, and your channel really inspired me and makes me consider studying paleoanthropology. Thanks for making such an educational content, you seem like such a cool guy, someone to have a long conversation with while sharing some beers.

[@rimckd825]

What would the bears be doing?

[@hillloguz5810]

@@rimckd825 hahaha I hadn't realized, thank you

[@gardenlizard1586]

I'm definitely the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great etc.. nephew of an ape 😊

[@Peter-dk2ov]

The editing on this video was outstanding. Its unbelievable that content of this quality is just free on the internet. Thanks peeps

[@ah93704]

What do you say to people when they say the earth is only 6000 years old?

[@spatrk6634]

stefan ignores them. which is smart because those people dont care about facts. and if you engage with them it will be waste of your time.

[@bjarkiengelsson]

​@@spatrk6634It's best to report them to the local mental health facilities and move on

[@kaelandin]

@@bjarkiengelsson Too bad Reagan dismantled the institutional facilities...

[@corvuscorax4298]

Just let them have their religion. There’s no reason to shove beliefs down another person’s throat.

[@babymae2222]

The music, your voice just so relaxing! I needed this for my stress 😅

[@mickmickymick6927]

Skidleedoo. Peace.

[@davidec.4021]

Great video Stefan, I had no idea we could trace our ancestors so far back so accurately, even with all the doubts surrounding those specimens. Thanks

[@URProductions]

Who does your art, Stefan? It's fantastic.

[@theevolvedarchaeologist5012]

Hes called Ettore Mazza

[@URProductions]

@@theevolvedarchaeologist5012 Thanks, man. I like it 'cause it reminds me of my art. I can tell he employs digital methods in his work, but he takes the time to make it look classy and nice like a traditional hand-drawn piece.

[@pauld.richardson5377]

Always great videos. Well stated, calming but not tiring voice, nice editing, and a dash of lighthearted feel always helps the education go down easier.

[@WilbertLek]

It's so funny how "gods-believers" wil mock flat earthers because they can see planets are not flat, but we are not allowed to mock them because we can see their personally preferred imaginary friend doesn't exist....

[@dustinbarlow1623]

Everything that’s made has a creator, that is true with even evolution. It is impossible for nothing to make something.

[@aidanc1088]

@@dustinbarlow1623 then who created god if everything has a creator?

[@spencerellis83]

Really like the new/upgraded editing stuff. Real smooth these days! Keep it up. Hope the little one is doing good. Take care Milo fam.

[@loza2101]

Thank you for a wonderful watch. I am loving your channel. Big time evolution-and-paleontology-nerd thanks to you!

[@altair458]

I’ve said it before and I say it again...this channel should have at least one million subscribers. Please keep up the good work👍👍👍👍👍

[@paulchaston4562]

thanks for your brilliant content Stefan. Keep them comming please sir !

[@yannickschulpen5611]

I absolutely love your videos Stefan! Love the wealth of information, love the way the videos are put together, love the cool graphics, love your funny style. Just love it! Keep up the great work of educating the masses. We desperately need it :)

[@jjfoerch]

Stefan, awesome video! Love this stuff, but I hope you can upgrade that microphone, and get a better spoon too!

[@katharinate9931]

I really really love your video! It has so many Information in it and its not too theoretical to watch. I really love how wholesome and aesthetically it is made and edited. I mean how cute it is that you have placed you’re microphone on little spoon. How could I only notice this at the end of the video

[@marcellacruser951]

Just found your channel and now I'm working my way through your back catalog... pure joy for us paleoanthrogeeks! Your work is amazing! Thank you!

[@cesarmurillo6192]

Wow, great work dude! I just found your channel today and got into a watching-sprint your content it's just amazing!!! Thank you for this incredible content, keep it up! New fan from Mexico!

[@ironsnowflake1076]

The thumbnail for this vid is _stunning!_ Always aces on your channel 👍

[@martryn]

Loved the video. Loved the Greg Grunberg vibe you're laying down. Love the spoon mic (what's up with that?). Looking forward to more videos from you.

[@jaspermolenaar1218]

Very Nice Graphics! A pleasure to watch and listen to the clear explanations, fascinating

[@juliomontoya8214]

You are quickly becoming one of my favourite KZbinrs, dope stuff man

[@dasrotrad]

Excellent presentation throughout your series Stefan. Thank you.

[@TheBrock2525]

Can't get over the lapel mic on the plastic spoon. He's totally nonplussed, as though he always does it. Amazing.

[@davidharbron6907]

Love the plastic spoon microphone, a real touch of class there.

[@Grimy_Gypsy420]

I love the vibe of your videos too easy to watch and enjoy your genuine interest and happiness with the topics

[@jmanj3917]

1:11 Lmao at the spoon mic... Excellent adaptation! 👍👍

[@clairesuzanne1276]

Just discovered your channel, and I'm hooked!! You have a very easy relaxed way of presenting which makes its so enjoyable and easier to follow and learn (although I can never remember all the names and times lol) but thank you for bringing a difficult subject and making it so interesting 😊

[@mokamo23]

thanks for your (rare among anthropologists) humility in assuming that these conclusions will likely be overturned or modified.

[@GeorgeTheDinoGuy]

These videos just get so much better every time you upload! True quality!

[@RonDaSantis]

Just found this video in the feed. Great video! I’m subscribed

[@mahnamahna3252]

🤣 I had my phone in my pocket just listening until the end I absolutely love your mic!👊😎

[@richtaylor6039]

Another great vid Stef. Love the plastic spoon too. You rock.

[@bewmdogg]

Good work mate. I subscribed to you because I like the fact you say if you don't know you don't know. Let's wait for more evidence. Speculation is fine as long as that is not the be all and end all conclusion. I'm not a scientist but even from a young age I always demanded evidence. I'm always up for group conjecture as it can bring in ideas that may have not have been thought about before. But at the end of the day we don't know certain things without conclusive proof.

[@keriezy]

Your choice of microphone holder is top notch just like the content of this video. Great work.

[@PaulHigginbothamSr]

Thanks for the video Stefan. Questions clarified so good.

[@peterashby-saracen3681]

Fascinating! Thank you so much for this - I'm glad I stumbled across you. I had no idea about the canines, and I had only heard of one of the possible hominids you mentioned. Keep up the good work! i wouldn't be too concerned about this vid lapsing into obsolescence as I'm sure it's at the least served a purpose by piquing the interest of many who are fascinated by this subject!

[@MatthewCaunsfield]

Fascinating content about these less well known finds, delivered in a very easy to understand manner.

[@markford4127]

Just discovered your video. Nice work my friend 👍

[@kurts8538]

That spoon though! A good video and the baby is absolutely precious!

[@jasondsimpson]

I love the spoon. I love that you have kept it as a homage to your past in your new videos.

[@binkbonkbones3402]

I love that portland footage, a very good representation of something I see often. Well filmed.

[@glennscott8622]

Spoon mike alone gets a thumbs up; content and presentation makes that enthusiatic. Thank you.

[@Fluegelwolf]

love the mic on the spoon! also loving the content recorded with it :D

[@fabianpiedras8011]

Wow! The appearance of the "spoon-mic" could be considered as a key point in the history of our evolution. Great vid, for sure. Thanks.

[@21stCenturyNomadGaming]

The beautiful thing about understanding the principles and methods that lead to discovery is that it removes the illusion that we know all and creates clarity of what we actually know, rather than reading ready-made theories with conclusions that might change with time.

[@MrLittletube]

New favourite channel. Thanks Stefan

[@nikemko9038]

love your microphone! oh and your video too!! very interesting. Thanks! :)