Flashcards
What three things must be true of a trait for it to make an individual better fit for their environment?
1.) Find Food
2.) Avoid Predators
3.) Resist Disease
By 1.5 MYA, the Homo ergaster that had migrated to East Asia became …
Homo erectus
By 1.2 MYA, the Homo ergaster that had migrated to Europe became …
Homo antecessor
Did the Homo ergaster that had migrated back into Africa around 1.5 MYA evolve to become anything else?
Yes - we just don’t know what that species is yet!
What two things changed about the Ice Age between 800,000 and 200,000 years ago?
- Glacial Periods became longer & colder
- Shifts into interglacial periods happened more abruptly
What three things did these Ice Age changes mean for the hominins alive at this time?
1.) Decline in resources (plants, animals, & water)
2.) Less areas to live in
3.) More competition between groups for resources
What happened to Homo antecessor as a result of these Ice Age changes?
Went extinct :-(
What happened to Homo erectus as a result of these Ice Age changes?
Evolved to have a bigger brain
As a result of these Ice Age changes, the mystery species of hominins (that African Homo ergaster had evolved into) evolved into Homo bodoensis. What are three new traits it developed?
- Bigger brains (1250 cc)
- Taller (6 ft.)
- Developed a basic language
As a result of these Ice Age changes, some of the mystery species of hominins (that African Homo ergaster had evolved into) migrated to Europe, became shorter (5.25 ft.), got a bigger brain (1500-1700cc), got more muscular, and became …
Homo neanderthalensis
As a result of these Ice Age changes, some of the mystery species of hominins (that African Homo ergaster had evolved into) migrated to Central Asia, got a bigger brain (1600-1800cc), and a number of new traits we don’t know yet and became …
Homo denisova
What species did Homo sapiens directly evolve from?
Homo bodoensis
What are three ways that Homo sapiens’ bodies are different from Homo denisova’s bodies?
- Shorter (5.5ft.)
- Smaller face/teeth
- Bigger brain (1350-1500ccc)
What did a larger brain size/more curved hyoid bone give some Homo bodoensis the ability to do that made them better hunters/gatherers and better able to avoid predators?
Have a complex (rather than a basic) language
What was an unintended benefit that having a complex language had on the Homo bodoensis that developed it?
Allowed individuals in their groups to more successfully plan/carry out assassinations of aggressive alpha males
What were two responsibilities of hominin Alpha Males?
- Lead their group in traveling, hunting, and foraging
- Protect their group from rival groups and predators
What were two privileges of hominin Alpha Males?
1.) Got the first-pick of hunted/foraged food
2.) Access to the most males (and got to have the most children)
Because alpha males have the most children, what happened to hominin groups as aggressive alpha males got assassinated/replaced by friendlier ones?
Over many generations, members of Homo bodoensis groups became friendlier towards those from within/outside their groups.
What happens to mammals when they evolve/are evolved to become friendlier?
They develop smaller faces, smaller teeth, and smaller bodies.
What are the seven characteristics of a Homo sapiens?
- Bipedal
- Big Brains
- Our Bodies
- Use of Tools
- Use of Fire/Shelter
- Use of Symbols
- Somewhat Friendly
True or False - The first Homo sapiens abandoned the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
False! - In early Homo sapiens communities, men still hunted for meat and women still foraged wild plants.
How big were early Homo sapiens groups?
About 150 people
How many groups did a group of Homo sapiens typically have connections with?
5-6 Groups
How did early Homo sapiens probably communicate information about themselves to those from outside groups?
Wore jewelry
