Evolution of Modern Humans Flashcards
How did hominins migrate to America and Australia?
Due to expanding glacial cover, land between Russia and Alaska was exposed, which could be travelled across.
Would have to travel via boat to Australia, but Timor straights were narrow.
What was ‘Mungo Man’?
Oldest Homo sapien remains found in Australia
How would Homo Sapiens migrate through America?
Through an ice corridor from North to South
Where is a famous site in America?
Clovis, population explosion, dinstinctive flint tools
What does brain expansion relate to?
- Mothers metabolic rate
- Gestation time, litter size
What are the problems with a large brain?
- Requires stable, high energy food supply
- Birth problems
- Length of pregnancy, extended childhood
What is the CC and EQ of modern humans?
1400CC
EQ 5.5
What is some evidence for speech?
- Endocasts
- Larynx/ pharynx structure
- Tongue nerve hole
- Spinal canal
In what gene, if there is a defect, can stop speech?
FOXP2 gene
What is significant about Australopithecine vocal tract?
Australopithecine vocal tract is similar to that of a chimpanzee, which means simultaneous breathing and swallowing.
What does different evidence say about the evolution of language?
- Archaeological evidence implies a recent rapid evolution
- Brain and vocal tract evidence implies an early, gradual evolution
What was used as paint and when?
Ochre has been found used as paint from 100,000 years ago in South Africa
What was painted by hominins usually?
Single animals, hand prints with some fingers missing.
Very rare for humans to be depicted.
What was found in Sungir, Russia?
An upper palaeolithic burial, buried with ivory beads.
When were flutes first found to be used?
40,000 years ago in Europe
