The readings this week provided me with an immense amount of insight regarding the benefits of studying non-human primates as a way in which to further understand the complexity of human evolution. Previously, I had certainly learned of the connection between non-human primates and modern-day humans, but at a very base level which did not at all divulge into the more convoluted relations. Something I have come to understanding regarding anthropology and archaeology is that there is a great deal of deducing, insinuating, and borrowing from other fields in order to fully comprehend the origins or functionality of any given set of remains or artifacts. I am interested to see that primatology contributes as great of a deal of knowledge and anthropologically valuable information towards the further understanding of human evolution as other scientific fields. Certain notable actions which are observable from primates today include tool making and utilizing, bipedal movement, color vision, and complex emotional and critical thought.

Of course, these are also things which are seen in humans today that had to have been done for the first time at one point. Much of these adaptations are said to have been for the betterment of the capability of living in trees, which we almost always do not do as modern humans. However, due to these evolutionary traits being seen in both non-human primates and humans, there is irrefutable evidence that humans once required these traits just as modern primates do. The aggressive nature seen in nearly all the primates spoken of in our readings was certainly driven by similar things that human conflict is driven by. Things such as territory, food, resources, status, and partners are often at the center of violence among both humans and primates. Learning about the driving forces behind acts of aggression among primates was unnervingly human, which lends itself to highlight just how similar we truly are.

Therefore, studying the complex inner workings of a primates’ capabilities can help provide a wealth of knowledge regarding the origins and lives of hominids. What is interesting about this notion is that we are outsiders looking in in order to further comprehend our own beings. Thus, through this visualization of our own kind, we are able to understand the complexities of the origins of ourselves and what the catalysts behind our creation were. This incites a sense of stewardship, in a way, for the learning of just how connected we are to a species allows for a better empathetic understanding and thus hopefully better care for our fellow primates in the future. The studying of other primates, whether it be orangutans, gorillas, or chimps, gives us a fascinating insight into the early days of our species, and is essential in our understanding of evolution and its inner workings. The different environmental factors which can cause differentiation in evolution can be seen while studying primates, which provide a better insight to how these same factors may have influenced human evolution, and may still be doing so today.