Human Evolution Flashcards
What is the open savanna theory
Human bipedalism evolved as a direct result of human ancestors’ transition from arboreal lifestyle to one on the savannas
State 2 misconceptions regarding human evolution
Humans evolved from chimpanzees - they share a CA
It is like a ladder leading to H. sapiens - hominin evolution included many branches and coexisting species
What is the multi-regional hypothesis
Human groups evolved from H. erectus populations in number of different parts of the world
What is the Out of Africa hypothesis
H. sapiens evolved from H. heidelbergensis + a second migration out of Africa occurred where anatomically modern humans of African origin replaced archaic human populations
What are the 2 sets of human derived features - give 2 examples of each
Modern human template - Bipedalism and large brain
Regional/Racial features - Facial shape and formation of eyelids
Give 4 primate characteristics
- Hands + feet for grasping/opposable thumb
- Digits have flat nails
- Binocular vision
- Developed parental and social care
What is and name given to CHLCA
Chimpanzee human last common ancestor
Pan prior
Who are the hominins more closely related to than
humans than chimpanzees
Give 3 homo genus species and 1 characteristic excluding H. n and H. h
H. habilis - tools found with fossils
H. erectus - first hominin to leave Africa and evidence of fire usage
H. heidelbergensis - first hominin to live in colder climates
Why was H. neanderthalensis capable of speech
Developed hyoid bone
Give 5 reasons for H. neanderthalensis extinction
Climate change
Inbreeding
Loss of game due to mass extinction
Competition
Direct hunting / attack
