Humans and apes share a common ancestor, but humans are not descended from apes. Humans and apes are both primates, and they share many similarities, including their DNA, their physical characteristics, and their behavior. However, there are also some key differences between humans and apes, such as our ability to walk upright, our larger brains, and our ability to use language.
The evolutionary theory of human evolution is based on the evidence that humans and apes share a common ancestor. This evidence includes:
* DNA evidence: Humans and apes share 98% of their DNA. This means that we are more closely related to chimpanzees than we are to any other animal.
* Fossil evidence: Fossils of early hominids (human ancestors) show that we evolved from a common ancestor with apes over time. These fossils show that early hominids had some features that are similar to apes, such as long arms and small brains, but they also had some features that are similar to humans, such as the ability to walk upright.
* Behavioral evidence: Humans and apes share many similarities in their behavior, such as their social behavior, their communication, and their tool use. This suggests that we share a common ancestor with apes who had these same behaviors.
The evolutionary theory of human evolution is well-supported by the evidence. It provides a clear explanation for how humans evolved from a common ancestor with apes over time.