Which of the following represents a major stage of human evolution?

The emergence of early primates marks a significant point in human evolution as it represents the beginning of the primate lineage, which eventually led to the evolution of hominins and, ultimately, modern humans. This stage is crucial because it lays the foundation for many evolutionary adaptations that would occur over millions of years, such as increased brain size, bipedalism, and social behaviors. The classification and study of early primates help scientists understand the evolutionary pressures and environments that shaped human ancestors.

In contrast, while the development of advanced technology, the rise of agricultural societies, and the creation of written language are important milestones in human cultural evolution, they occur much later in the timeline. These developments build upon the biological and social foundations established during earlier stages of evolution, specifically when primates first emerged. Therefore, while all options are noteworthy in human history, the emergence of early primates is fundamental to understanding the biological evolution leading to humans.