Lecture 5b- More On Human Development

Question 1

What are the key differences between modern humans and chimps?

Answer 1

Bipedalism, permanent sexual groups, large brains (humans), language and complex thinking

Question 2

What are the similarities between humans and primates?

Answer 2

• use of tools
• reproductive and parental care strategies
• complex social structures (eg. Chimps communicate through expression)

Question 3

Explain the two theories of human language development

Answer 3

Theory one: started with manual gestures, but conflict with tool use lead to sound development and eventual language
Theory two: language began as vocalisations, and changes in brains may of allowed for the development of speech

Question 4

When did agriculture begin?

Answer 4

At the start of the Holocene 11.6 ka. Live stock domestication evidence dates back to 9ka

Question 5

What were the drivers of human evolution?

Answer 5

Change in environment and food sources(eg. Neanderthals developing broad bodies to cope with European cold)
Vulnerability to predation lead to the establishment of protective features like tools and fire

Question 6

When was dexterity thought to have appeared? What’s the evidence?

Answer 6

1.42ma, evidence comes from the discovery of a metacarpal bone in Kenya. Thought to place dexterity evolution to the time of homoerectus

Question 7

Who supports parallel evolution?

Answer 7

Monogenists

Question 8

Who supports out of Africa?

Answer 8

Polygenists