Chapter 13 - Hominin evolution Flashcards
what is the general trend in human evolution
Increasing cranial capacity, number of convolutions and skull size along with reduced prognathism. Homo sapiens also have a reduced brow ridge compared to earlier species
5 characteristics of the skull that are considered more primitive
- Ticker bones forming cranium
- Heavier brow ridges
- No forehead or slopping forehead
- Possible saggital crest on top of skull
- Foramen magnum towards back of skull
5 characteristics of the skull that are considered more modern
- Thinner bones forming cranium
- Brow ridges reduced or absent
- Increasingly larger and more vertical forehead
- No crest on top of skull
- Foramen Magnum under centre of skull
5 characteristics of the mandible and teeth that are considered more primitive
- More prognathic jaw
- Heavier, thick mandible
- No chin
- Diastema present
- Canine teeth more prominent
5 characteristics of the mandible and teeth that are considered more modern
- Flatter face
- More slender, thinner mandible
- Increasingly definitive chin
- No diastema
- Canine teeth less prominent
3 characteristics of the torso that are considered more primitive
- Narrower pelvis
- Lumbar vertebrae less wedge shaped
- Wide, barrel shaped ribcage
3 characteristics of the torso that are considered more modern
- Broader pelvis
- Lumbar vertebrae more wedge shaped
- Smaller ribcage
2 characteristics of the upper limbs that are considered more primitive
- Shorter thumb that is less mobile
- fingers are longer and more curved
2 characteristics of the upper limbs that are considered more modern
- Thumb with increased opposability
- Fingers straighter and shorter
2 characteristics of the lower limbs that are considered more primitive
- Femurs more parallel
- arms longer than legs
2 characteristics of the lower limbs that are considered more modern
- Femurs sloping inwards towards knee
- Arms shorter than legs
Australopithecus afarensis characteristics (Time, Location, height, cranial capacity, skull, teeth and jaw, Limbs, pelvis)
- 3.9 to 2.8 MYA
- East africa
- 150 cm tall
- Cranial capacity: 430 cm3
- Skull: Low, sloping forehead, prominent brow ridges, short sagittal crest in males
- Teeth and Jaw: Prognathic jaw, small canine teeth (but larger than A. africanus), diastema present
- Limbs: Big toe not opposable, long arms but shorter than legs, long curved fingers and toes
- Pelvis: Short and wide
Australopithecus africanus characteristics (Time, Location, height, cranial capacity, skull, teeth and jaw, Limbs, pelvis)
- 3.2 to 2 MYA
- Southern Africa
- 135 cm tall
- Cranial capacity: 457 cm3
- Skull: slightly arched forehead, smaller brow ridge
- Teeth and jaw: Prognathic jaw, Smaller incisors and canines, large molar and pre-molars, no diastema
- Limbs: Big toe not opposable, long arms but shorter than legs, some curvature of finger and toe bones
- Pelvis: short and wide pelvis, less rounded than in modern humans
Paranthropus robustus characteristics
- 1.8 to 1.2 million years ago
- South Africa
- 1.2 m tall
- Cranial capacity: 542 cm3
- Skull: Large sagittal crest for attachment of strong chewing muscles, heavy brow ridges
- Teeth and Jaw: Very large molars and pre-molars with small incisors and canines by comparison, prognathism although less than australopithecines, wide dish shaped shaped face with large zygomatic arches
Homo habilis characteristics
- 2.3 to 1.5 MYA
- Eastern and southern africa
- 130 cm tall
- cranial capacity: 590 cm3
- Skull: Rounder skull, small brow ridge, central foramen magnum
- Teeth and jaw: moderate prognathism, teeth arranged in rounder arc
- Limbs: relatively short arms and legs, slightly curved finger bones indicating strong power grip and able to form precision grip
Homo erectus characteristics
- 2 MYA
- 145 to 185 cm tall
- Cranial capacity: 1004 cm3
- Skull: Low sloping forehead, defined brow ridges
- Teeth and jaw: large think jaw without chin, reduced size of molars
- Limbs: Short, stocky body with thicker bones, suggesting a demanding lifestyle
Homo neanderthalensis characteristics (Time, Location, height, body type, cranial capacity, skull, teeth and jaw, Limbs, pelvis, ribcage)
- 28,000 to 300,000 years ago
- Europe and middle east
- 168 cm tall
- Body type: Shorter more robust and muscular than modern humans, wider shoulders
- Cranial capacity: 1485 cm3
- Skull: Occipital bun at the back of the skull, thick brow ridges, receding forehead, flared zygomatic arches, long and low brain case
- Teeth and jaw: Larger more robust prognathic jaw, lacking a chin, larger teeth
- Limbs: Thick limbs with large joints, shorter
- Pelvis: wider than humans
- Ribcage: Barrel shaped
Homo sapiens characteristics (Time, Location, height, body type, cranial capacity, skull, teeth and jaw, Limbs, pelvis, ribcage)
- 300,000 years ago to present
- worldwide
- 175 cm tall
- Body type: short slender trunks and long limbs
- Cranial capacity: 1350 cm3
- Skull: Short base and high brain case
- Teeth and jaw: Short jaw, bony chin, small teeth
- limbs: long legs compared with the arms, straight fingers and toes
- Ribcage: less barrel shaped
Culture
Anything that is learnt
Cultural evolution
Cultural development that occurs as a means of overcoming environmental and other challenges
Cro magnon people
The first anatomically modern people found in Europe
Oldowan tools
A very simple tool made by removing several flakes from a stone. The stone tool culture of Homo habilis
which species first used fire
Homo erectus
Acheulian tools
A type of hand axe that was flaked all around the edges, first in one direction, and then in the other, until it forms a roughly 2 faced lump, approximately a teardrop shape. Associated with Homo erectus
