Human Evolution - Cultural Flashcards
Define cultural evolution
The passing on of skills and knowledge from one generation to the next
Name the tool culture associated with Homo habilis
Oldowan
Name a tool from the Oldowan tool culture
Choppers
Describe how a chopper is made
Rock struck against another rock and a few flakes have come off it
What was a chopper used for?
Scrapping meat off bones
Breaking bones open for marrow
Name the tool culture associated with Homo erectus
Acheulian
Name an Acheulian tool
Hand axe
Describe what hand axes were used for
Scrapping meat off bones
Digging
Breaking bones etc
In what ways were Acheulian tools more advanced than Oldowan tools?
Degree of workmanship - more flakes taken off than in a chopper
Longer cutting edge
Name the tool culture associated with Homo neanderthalensis
Mousterian
In what ways were the Mousterian hand axes more advanced than the Acheulian hand axes?
Degree of workmanship - significantly more flakes taken off which produced a longer and sharper cutting edge
They used flint which is a material that flakes off in a predictable way
Name the tool culture associated with Homo sapiens
Upper Paleolithic
In what ways were Upper Paleolithic tools more advanced than other tool cultures?
Specialised tools for certain jobs
Degree of workmanship is greater
Use of bone, antler and wood - not just stone
Composite tools - using a combination of materials in one tool
This increasing tool technology is a reflection of what biological changes
Brain changes - development of the frontal lobe which involves problem-solving helped develop tools to meet specific jobs. Other brain changes in the cerebellum helped evolve better fine motor skills to get more precision in the tools
Changes in the hand - with the thumb becoming more opposable allowed greater fin motor skills
What cultural evolution development can be associated with Homo erectus?
Use of fire
Describe ways the use of fire supported the migration of Homo erectus out of Africa (they were the first to leave)
Provided warmth - could travel into colder Europe and not die of the cold
Allowed them to exploit a greater range of foods that new habitats might provide
Provided a focus for groups at night which improved communication and more coordinated hunting
Provided light at night so they could travel longer distances in a day
Kept away predators that they might encounter in new environments
In what hominin did we first see the development of the Broca’s region in the brain (endocranial)?
Homo habilis
What is the Broca’s region for?
Making sounds/speech
In what hominin did we first see the development of the Wernicke’s region in the brain (endocranial)?
Homo erectus
What is the Wernicke’s region associated with?
The comprehension of sounds/language
In what ways has the biological evolution of communication affected cultural evolution?
Greater communication has allowed skills and knowledge to be passed on more effectively to future generations
Helps coordinate hunting making it more successful. This increase in meat fuels bigger brains which can lead to developments in tool culture
What hominin was the first to use art?
Homo sapiens
What evolutionary advantage does art provide?
A way of communicating to help coordinate hunting, pass on knowledge of resources in the area etc
What hominin was the first to use spirituality?
Homo neanderthalensis
How did the know the Neanderthals became spiritually aware?
There was a system of burial - bodies were arranged in the same direction and were decorated with flowers and tools to support them in the after life
What hominin was the first to use agriculture?
Homo sapiens
In what ways was a change from hunter gather to agriculture aiding human evolution?
More reliable food source and less energy expenditure to get it
Division of labour allowed other people to develop tools
Living in the one place helped with the transfer of skills and knowledge
In what ways was a change from hunter gather to agriculture problematic?
Reliance on one food dangerous if crop failed
Greater transmission of disease
What tools do we associate with agriculture?
Neolithic (new stone age)
- stone and quern (ball and flat rock to grind up grain)
