## Hoax #2: Man evolved from the ape

The origin of this hoax dates back to 1965 when F. C. Howell used the picture "The Road to Homo Sapiens" in the book "The Early Man" (Figure 18.2). The picture showed different species of primates in a row, starting with a chimpanzee-like ape, suggesting that humans evolved from apes. However, the image was used in the book to refute the claim that humans evolved from the present-day ape species. However, this image spread without further context and led people to believe that man was an evolutionary descendant of apes. The truth, however, is that humans and today's chimpanzees share a common ancestor. About 5.4 million years ago, a branch of the evolutionary tree split into one that led to chimpanzees and another that led to humans. It is also true that humans did not evolve from species such as Homo habilis or Homo erectus, but these species and Homo sapiens share a common ancestor.