Chapter 11: Early Homo and H. Erectus

Question 1

what were the uses of sticks and stones as ancient tools?

Answer 1

sticks: extracting termites/testing water depth
stones: cracking open nuts

Question 2

what were the earliest tools?

Answer 2

Lomekwian (3.3 million years ago)

Question 3

what species is known as “the handy man” and is the earliest species in the homo genus?

Answer 3

Homo Habilis

Question 4

what tools followed Lomekwian?

Answer 4

Oldowan

Question 5

what is knapping?

Answer 5

using stones to break pieces off of other stones

Question 6

what mode of tool technology is Oldowan?

Answer 6

mode 1

Question 7

what was the cause of species differentiation between H. habilis and H. rudolfensis?

Answer 7

brain size

Question 8

what is the central rubicon?

Answer 8

the minimum cranial capacity in order to be included in the genus homo (750cc)

Question 9

what are the three important characteristics of Homo Erectus?

Answer 9

1. 1st hominin out of Africa
2. 1st species with modern human body proportions
3. fire user/maker

Question 10

what are the two possible explanations for why H. erectus is the first hominin species to migrate out of Africa?

Answer 10

1. fire use
2. body proportions

Question 11

who possesses the trait of post orbital constriction, and what is it?

Answer 11

H. erectus
- narrowing behind the eyes

Question 12

what is an occipital torrus?

Answer 12

a bump on the back of the head

Question 13

which species did Turkana Boy belong to?

Answer 13

H. erectus

Question 14

what tool technology followed Oldowan?

Answer 14

Acheulean

Question 15

what mode were Acheulean tools?

Answer 15

mode 2

Question 16

what was unique about Acheulean tools?

Answer 16

they were made by H. erectus, they had bifaces (e.g. axes, cleavers)

Question 17

where were Acheulean tools not found?

Answer 17

Asia

Question 18

what are the three human foraging strategies?

Answer 18

1. collection (fruit, leaves)
2. extraction (termites)
3. hunting (prey)

Question 19

who are the most common producers among humans?

Answer 19

middle-aged men and post-menopausal women

Question 20

what is the explanation for human’s slow life histories?

Answer 20

life skills require long juvenile periods and more parental investment

Question 21

what is taphonomy?

Answer 21

the study of what happens to organisms after the die, from deposition to discovery

Question 22

what are some things that fire provides?

Answer 22

• protection from predators
• warmth
• processed foods
• more activity time
• tool modification

Question 23

in what cave were wooden ash and burnt bones found?

Answer 23

Swartkrans and Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa

Question 24

what was found in Swartkrans and Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa?

Answer 24

wooden ash and burnt bone

Question 25

in what cave was burnt clay found?

Answer 25

Koobi Fora and Chesowanja Cave in Kenya

Question 26

what was found in Koobi fora and Chesowanja cave in Kenya?

Answer 26

burnt clay

Question 27

what are home bases?

Answer 27

central locations for activities over a period of time