This time, by request, we discuss an ancient story so detailed, compelling, and important that we had to split it in two! In part one, we find our own place on the family tree of life, and trace the history and evolutionary innovations of our ancestors and cousins: the early hominins.In the news: four-flippered swimming; the life of a dodo; weird whale teeth; and the many possible paths of evolution.Time markers: Intro & Announcements: News: Main discussion: Check out our blog for bonus info and pictures: http://commondescentpodcast.wordpress.com/Follow and Support us on: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/commondescentpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonDescentPC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/commondescentpodcast/ PodBean: https://commondescentpodcast.podbean.com/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-common-descent-podcast/id1207586509?mt=2 Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/common-descent/the-common-descent-podcastThe Podcast music is “On the Origin of Species” by Protodome. More music like this at http://ocremix.org.