Interpreting fossil record (genus homo) Flashcards
1
Q
The genus homo
A
- Appear 2.5 mya
- Concurrent existence with other hominins
- Habitual tool user
2
Q
Hominin evolution (brain expansion)
A
- In the past 2 million yrs brain size has doubled & then tripled
3
Q
Why is it hard to trace evolution?
A
- Names change
- Traits aren’t evolving/progressing towards human evolution
- Some traits seem primitive & other seem advanced
4
Q
What are all of the homo species?
A
- Homo habilus (2.8mya) (First tool user
- Homo rectus (1.8 mya) (first fire user)
- Homo heidelburgensis
- Homo naledi
- Homo neanderthalensis
- Denisovans
- Homo floriensis
- Homo sapiens (200,00 yrs ago)(modern humans)
5
Q
Homo habilis (“Handy man”)
A
- 2.8 -1.8 mya
- lived in east * south africa
- first tool user
- larger
- 4’3ft tall
6
Q
Oldowan stone tool (oldest tool used)
A
- Used by the homo habilis
- Percussion flaking (beat rock against another rock or hard surface to make sharp edge)
- Fist -sized cobble core & small, thin flake tool
7
Q
Homo erectus (“upright man”)
A
- 1.8 mya - 140,00 yrs ago
- First species to leave africa
- Used more sophisticated stone tools
- First fire user
8
Q
What are homo erectus skeletal traits?
A
- Larger brain than homo habilis & australopithecines
- smaller dentition
- shorter arms
- modern hips & legs
9
Q
Lower paleolithic culutures
A
Since homo erectus adapted to new environments quickly & without any physicl changes, suggest cultural rather than biological/evolutionary adaptation
10
Q
Acheulian stone tools
A
1`. Was used by homo erectus
- Was a bifacial tool
- Standardized design
- Acheulian hand axe
11
Q
Dmansi, Georgia
A
Was an early migration site for individuals who migrated out of africa
12
Q
Pekinb man site in zhoukoudian china
A
Has more than 200 homo erectus fossils
13
Q
Homo heidelbergensis
A
- 700-200,000 yrs ago
- Lived in africa, europe, & asia
- possible ancestor of homo neanderthalensis & homo sapiens
14
Q
Atapuerca spain
A
- Oldest secure evidence of humans in europe
- Sima de los huesos (pit of bones) in a limestone cavern
- 300-200,000 yrs old (2,500 bones found)
15
Q
Atapuerca gran dolina
A
- Juvenile human remains mixed with other animals (Cut & broken)
- Early evidence of cultural cannibalisms (800,000 yrs ago)