Ch.6 Flashcards
Identify and briefly sum up the three models discussing the origin of Homo sapiens
Replacement model: Hypothesis that only one subpopulation of Homo erectus, probably located in Africa, underwent a rapid spurt of evolution to produce Homo sapiens 300,000 to 100,000 years ago. After that time, H. Sapiens would itself have multiplied and dispersed, gradually populating the globe and eventually replacing any remaining populations of H. Erectus or their descendants.
Regional continuity model: Hypothesis that evolution from Homo rectus to Homo sapiens occurred gradually threw out the traditional range of H. Erectus.
African hybridization and replacement model: Hypothesis that anatomically modern humans evolved in Africa between 300,000 and 100,000 years ago and then moved out into Europe, Asia, and Australasia, interbreeding to some extent with hominin populations in those areas.
Which model of human origin hypothesizes that a population of H. Erectus, probably in Africa, underwent a rapid spurt of evolution to produce H. Sapiens 200,000 years ago, that subsequently replaced all other hominin groups?
Replacement model
Which model of human origins assumes multiple origins of H. Sapiens from local population is approximately 1 million years ago, and a complex patter of gene flow?
Regional continuity model
Which model is essentially a combination of the two other models arguing for an evolution of humans in Africa and then interbreeding with local population in Europe, Asia, and Africa?
African hybridization and replacement model
Briefly describe Neanderthal morphology
Neanderthals were shorter and more robust then modern Homo sapiens, with massive skulls; continuous brow ridges; and protruding, chinless faces. The teeth are larger than those of modern humans and have enlarged pulp cavities and fused roots, a condition known as taurodontism. Lower jaw possesses a gap behind the third molar called retromolar space, which results from the extreme forward placement of teeth in the jaw. This forward placement and the characteristic wear patterns on Neanderthal incisors suggest that Neanderthals regularly used the front teeth has tools.
The average cranial capacity is larger than that of modern human populations, the brain case is elongated, with a a receding forehead, unlike the rounded crania and domed foreheads of modern humans. The same pattern of differences between the left and right halves (brain asymmetry). Usually right handed.
Are Neanderthal postcranial skeleton significantly different from those of modern humans?
There are not significant differences. Except for the shape of the pelvis and the femur.
Extremely muscular, as indicated by the markings for muscle attachments on the bones of the limbs, and hands suggest they had an unusually powerful group. Pubic bone is longer and thinner than that of modern human beings, which may be a result of posture and locomotion. 
What does ancient DNA say about the relationship between Neanderthals and early humans?
Suggests that Neanderthals may have been genetically similar enough to our direct human ancestors to have into bread with them. 
Briefly describe the Mousterian tradition
Middle Palaeolithic stone-tool tradition associated with Neanderthals in Europe and southwestern Asia and with anatomically modern human beings in Africa.
Consist of flake tools
Identify other cultural remains (I.e., burials) from the middle Palaeolithic.
Evidence for pits and post holes.
Neanderthals deliberately buried their dead, often with arms and legs fold up against the other upper bodies. 
Accumulations of their skulls interpreted as collections Neanderthals made for use in a “cave bear cult.”
Flower pollen scattered over Shanidar burial was interpreted as the remains of flowers mourners had placed on the grave. Fragments of natural red or black pigments were interpreted as possible ritual cosmetics.
Evidence suggests that Neanderthals created elaborate cave art. 
What biological/fossil data point to Neanderthals living hard life in a harsh environment?
Do you have survived as long as they did, what with these individuals have needed?
Many bones showing evidence of injuries, disease, and premature aging.
To survive as long as it did, the individuals to whom these bones belong to would have needed to rely on others to care for them. “This group concern for old and sick may have permitted Neanderthals to live longer than any of their predecessors, and it is the most recognizable human, non-material aspect of the behaviour that can be directly inferred from the archeological record”.
Did Neanderthals hunt?
Wooden spears have been dated back to the period of when the Neanderthals were the only Hominins in Europe. Mousterian stone points show what appears to be impact damage, suggesting use of weapon.
Animals remains at some sites suggest that Neanderthals collectively drove the animals over clips or engaged and other kinds of mass killing strategies.
Is there evidence for cannibalism along Neanderthals? What are the arguments against cannibalism?
Persuasive evidence of cannibalism in association with the Neanderthals has been reported from the hundred thousand year old site of Moula-Guercy, in France and from this 49,000 year old site of El Sidron, in Spain.
And both sites, the bones of a number of Neanderthal individuals show unmistakeable signs of cut marks that indicate some or all of the following: the deliberate cutting a part of bodies, the cutting away of muscles, or the splitting of bones to extract marrow.

Damage to the bones may have been the work of carnivores the feasted on the bodies they had dug out of graves, which still happens in Africa today. However numerous contemporary human groups remove flesh from the bones of the dead, not to consume it but as a part of mortuary ritual.
Does ancient DNA research support or refute weather humans and Neanderthals interbred?
Neither really. It shows we have a common ancestor. But scientists Concluded that the interbreeding between modern humans and Neanderthals probably took place in south western Asia, before modern humans spread out and diversified throughout the old world.
Who are the Denisovans?
Outline the three findings that emerged when researchers compared Denisovan and Neanderthal ancient DNA.
A population of hominins known only from ancient DNA recovered from two tiny, 41,000 year old fossils deposited in Denisova cave in Siberia.
(1) Although they lived between 400,000 and 30,000 years ago, Denisovans were genetically distinct from Neanderthals.
(2) Denisovans and Neanderthals shared a common ancestor who had left Africa nearly 500,000 years ago.
(3) Denisovans genome was very similar to the genome of modern humans from New Guinea. 
What is characteristic of this time. Stone tool industries?
How do we referred to tools made from the combination of different materials?
Late Stone Age (LSA) The name given to a period of highly elaborate stone told additions in Africa, 40,000 to 10,000 years ago, and which blades were important.
Blades: sharp edged stone tools that are at least twice as long as they are wide.
Composite tools: tools such as bows and arrows in which several different materials are combined (e.g., stone, wood, bone, ivory, antler ) to produce the final working implement.
