Chapter 11: Early Homo and H. Erectus Flashcards
what were the uses of sticks and stones as ancient tools?
sticks: extracting termites/testing water depth
stones: cracking open nuts
what were the earliest tools?
Lomekwian (3.3 million years ago)
what species is known as “the handy man” and is the earliest species in the homo genus?
Homo Habilis
what tools followed Lomekwian?
Oldowan
what is knapping?
using stones to break pieces off of other stones
what mode of tool technology is Oldowan?
mode 1
what was the cause of species differentiation between H. habilis and H. rudolfensis?
brain size
what is the central rubicon?
the minimum cranial capacity in order to be included in the genus homo (750cc)
what are the three important characteristics of Homo Erectus?
- 1st hominin out of Africa
- 1st species with modern human body proportions
- fire user/maker
what are the two possible explanations for why H. erectus is the first hominin species to migrate out of Africa?
- fire use
- body proportions
who possesses the trait of post orbital constriction, and what is it?
H. erectus
- narrowing behind the eyes
what is an occipital torrus?
a bump on the back of the head
which species did Turkana Boy belong to?
H. erectus
what tool technology followed Oldowan?
Acheulean
what mode were Acheulean tools?
mode 2
what was unique about Acheulean tools?
they were made by H. erectus, they had bifaces (e.g. axes, cleavers)
where were Acheulean tools not found?
Asia
what are the three human foraging strategies?
- collection (fruit, leaves)
- extraction (termites)
- hunting (prey)
who are the most common producers among humans?
middle-aged men and post-menopausal women
what is the explanation for human’s slow life histories?
life skills require long juvenile periods and more parental investment
what is taphonomy?
the study of what happens to organisms after the die, from deposition to discovery
what are some things that fire provides?
- protection from predators
- warmth
- processed foods
- more activity time
- tool modification
in what cave were wooden ash and burnt bones found?
Swartkrans and Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa
what was found in Swartkrans and Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa?
wooden ash and burnt bone
in what cave was burnt clay found?
Koobi Fora and Chesowanja Cave in Kenya
what was found in Koobi fora and Chesowanja cave in Kenya?
burnt clay
what are home bases?
central locations for activities over a period of time