Abstract
The evolution of the human brain can be inferred from the endocasts of the skulls of extinct ancestors, which reveal the sizes and shapes of brains, and the results of comparative studies of brain organization in present-day mammals. Early mammals had small brains with little neocortex and few cortical areas. The brains of early primates were different in that the visual system was greatly expanded and reorganized, and posterior parietal cortex was a large part of the brain guiding motor behaviors via an expanded motor system. Early monkeys had larger brains specialized for diurnal vision, mediated in part by an expanded temporal cortex. Early hominins had brains the size of those of great apes that became three times larger with modern humans. This large size, together with specializations of the two hemispheres and an increase in number of cortical areas, provided brain systems for language, tool use, and human cognition.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
