Chapter 11 Origins and Evolution of Early Homo (finished)

Question 1

Homo Habilis and meat

tools

Answer 1

Scavengers, used stone tools to break long bones to get to marrow, or to scrape meat from bones
Oldowan tools

Question 2

Trend analysis:

what is the connection between Homo Habilis’ tool making and their brain size?

Answer 2

Earliest stone tools appear along with increased brain size.

Question 3

Homo Erectus:

Time period, ancestor, list of 5 characteristics

Answer 3

1.8mya
Descendant of Homo Habilis
Better made tools
Greater variety of tool types
Different tools in different environments
Controlled use of fire
Acheulean Tools

Question 4

Eugene Dubois

Answer 4

Believed that in order to truly study human origins, you have to study human fossils. Went to the Dutch East Indies, and found fossils in Java, a southern island.
Discovered homo erectus.

Question 5

Homo Habilis

immediate ancestor

Answer 5

It is unknown what species is the immediate ancestor to H. Habilis, research suggests that Australopithecus Gahri might be, due to its face jaws and teeth similarities.

Question 6

Homo Habilis
(skeletal structure)

Answer 6

Similar to humans, but with shorter legs, and shorter in stature (3.5 feet).

Question 7

Homo Naledi
(origin, distinctive characteristics, dating)

Answer 7

Found in S. Africa
Smaller brain size (560/475 Male/Female)
Hips are closer to Australopithecus
Cranium is similar to Homo Erectus
Absolute dating methods used with other homo species not available here due to fossils being found in sedimentary rock

Question 8

Homo Erectus

beginning age and location

Answer 8

1.8 mya to 300,000 ya

Found all throughout the old world.

Question 9

Homo Erectus

skull differences to Australopithecus

Answer 9

No sagittal crest required to anchor large chewing muscles

Smaller teeth and thinner enamel- softer diet

Question 10

Homo Erectus

limb proportions, living conditions, and brain size

Answer 10

Much smaller limb proportions, suggesting that H. Erectus was fully terrestrial, modern walking gate.
Brain size was much larger.

Question 11

Homo Erectus

facial features

Answer 11

Wide range of facial features based on area, but in general H. Erectus had a larger browridge than H. Habilis.
Asian H Erectus has smoother facial features.
African H Erectus had very large browridges

Question 12

Acheulian Complex

Answer 12

Associated with H. Erectus, wider range of tools than Oldowan tools, most popular of which was the handaxe

Question 13

Controlled Use of Fire

Answer 13

Associated with H. Erectus

Used for food processing, defense and light