Human Evolution Flashcards
Human Classification
What is the difference between hominid and hominin?
Homonid: primates that are part of the family Homonidae, the great apes
Homonin: the tribe,Homonini. that contains moderna nd extinct humans, and immediate ancestors
Human Adaptation
What does the foramen magnum tell us about erect posture?
hole in skull in which the spinal cord joins brain
* in humans — towards centre of skull
* in quadrapeds — towards the back of the skull
* moved forward gradually to balance on top of vertebral column
* large neck muscles required for apes to hold head in position
Human Adaptation
What does the curvature of the spine tell us about erect posture?
- in humans — a double curvature (S-shaped)
- wedged-shaped vertebrae (from forward to back)
- improve body balance in upright position + head to balance on neck
- cervical vertebrae brings vertebrae under COG in skull
Human Adaptation
What does the jaw shape tell us about an erect posture?
- apes have protruding jaw
- this reduced to flatter features due to natural selection
- allows skull to balance on spine with minimal effort
Human Adaptation
What does the pelvis shape tell us about an erect posture?
- broad shape; shallow from top to bottom
- supports the abdominal organs
- attachment of femurs is wide apart to allow a carrying angle
Human Adaptation
What does the carrying angle tell us about an erect posture?
- head of the femur converges towards the knee to create carrying angle
- distrubutes weight close to the central axis
- this allows a striding gait to occur
Human Adaptation
What do the knees, legs and feet tell us about an erect posture?
Knees: outing ‘hinge is larger and stronger, to take the weight of body.
- Knee can be straightened.
Legs: Longer than arms, therefore a low centre of gravity.
Feet: large heel bone + aligned big toe from a pedestal to which body is supported.
- Both have longitudinal and traverse arches
How do hominid differ from other primates?
- larger, more complex brains 🧠
- 5-cusps molars on lower jaw 🦷🦷
- freely rotating arms 💪🔄
- non external tail
- an appendix
- diurnal ☀️
How do hominins differ from hominids?
- mostly hairless
- fully bipedal
- striding gait and erect posture
- great communication and speech
What are the characteristics of a primate?
Hands
- pentadactyly
- nails instead of claws
- opposable thumbs
- fiction ridges on digits
Eyes
- stereoscopic vision
- can distinguish colour
Brain
- large + complex
- cerebrum size increases as primates become more highly involved
Smell
- very poor — can distinguish with eyes instead of nose
Dentition
four incisors in upper and lower jaw
Gestation
- rhythmical sexual cycle
- one offspring at a time
- long period of parental care
What happened in the neolithic revolution?
a shift to a village way of life
- domestiation of plants and animals
- food storage -> support more people
- community and population growth
What are Oldowan tools?
Oldowan (pebble tools)
2.4 MYA
HOMO HABILIS
- chopping/cutting edges made from striking one stone to another
- chop meat, skin and wood
- scrape hide + hammer
- unifacial
What are Acheulian tools?
Acheulian (hand axes)
HOMO ERECTUS 1.7 MYA
- tear-drop shaped
- bifacial
- flaked around the edges
What are Mousterian tools?
Mousterian (flake tools)
HOMO NEANDERTHALENSIS 200,000 YA
- cutting, scraping, piercing, gouding tools
- hafting -> attach handles
- Levallois technique -> trim a disc shaped core + hit to produce flakes with sharp edges
What are Aurignacian tools?
Aurignacian (blade tools)
HOMO SAPIENS 43,000 ya
- finer blades + projective weapons
- long flat rectangles removed from for stones
- flakes of stones w/ parallel sides
