Migration of Homo Erectus Flashcards
define dispersal event
a single species dramatically expands its geographical range
a single species dramatically expands its geographical range. This is defined as what?
dispersal event
What are some of the reasons that Homo Erectus might have left Africa?
-climatic instability
-more adapted to a variety of landscapes & environmental changes
- they could/knew how to live in smaller and larger groups while sharing resources
-increased cognitive ability/larger brains
What gave archaeologists the idea that H. Erectus was passing down tradition?
Archeulean hand axes were found after they left Africa
What is the oldest site outside of Africa that shows evidence of H. Erectus?
Dmanisi, Republic of Georgia
How old is the Dmanisi archaeological site?
1.85-1.78 million yrs old
What was found at the Dmanisi site?
oldowan tools (particularly flakes) and 3 H. Erectus crania
how many Erectus skulls were found at the Dmanisi site?
3
what type of tools were found at the Dmanisi site?
Oldowan, specifically flakes
was was not found at the Dmanisi site?
any sign of Archeulean technology, cut marks from tools and evidence of animals
where did H. Erectus survive the longest in its time?
Asia
what archaeological site showed hominin dispersal within Asia?
Java in Indonesia
what is the approximate date of the Java site in Indonesia?
1.6 mya
How long ago did H. Erectus live in Java, Indonesia?
27,000-53,000 years ago
Java man had what size of brain?
900cc
Were any stone tools found in Java?
no. no directly associated stone tools were found
the second earliest site of hominins outside of Africa is located where?
Ubeidiya, Israel
the site in Ubeidiya, Israel is said to be how old?
1.5 million years old
what is significant about the site in Ubeidiya, Israel?
evidence of Oldowan tools and stone tool cut marks on bone that suggest hunting
what type of Oldowan tools were found at the site in Ubeidiya, Israel?
flakes and choppers
evidence of Oldowan tools and stone tool cut marks on bone that suggest hunting were found at what site?
Ubeidiya, Israel
what type of terrain was seen at the Ubeidiya site in Israel?
steeply sloped terrain
the Nihewan River Basin site is found where?
China
the Nihewan River Basin site in China is significant, why?
stone tools (flakes) were found that were more complex than Archeulean but not made of great materials, suggesting hominins had developed more tool traditions
the Nihewan River Basin site in China is how old?
1.15 million years old
the oldest site with evidence of H. Erectus in Western Europe is called what and found where?
Gran Dolina, Atapuerca; located in Spain
what is the date of the Gran Dolina site in Spain?
800,000ya
what is most significant about the Gran Dolina site in Spain?
first sign of hominin cannibalism
what else was found at the Gran Dolina site in Spain other than signs of cannibalism?
stone tools like flakes and cores, animal bones of horse and deer, and campsites with repeated use
what site were signs of butchered H. Erectus bones found?
Gran Dolina site in Spain
what is the name of the site where over 100,000 oldowan tools were found and where was it located?
Zhoukoudian, China
what is the age of the Zhoukoudian site in China?
410,000-750,000 years old
the Zhoukoudian site in China is said to be a part of what time period?
Pleistocene
what types of Oldowan tools were found in Zhoukoudian, China?
flakes and choppers
bones of how many individuals were found at the Zhoukoudian site?
40
Peking man was found at what site?
Zhoukoudian, China
what are some of the characteristics of Peking Man?
small forehead, large chinless jaw, thick skull, large supraorbital torus
the site in Zhoukoudian, China was thought to have had evidence of fire usage, what was actually found?
the presence of iron & manganese
when was the first time there was evidence of fire usage?
750,000ya
what did the use of fire mean for hominins?
-they could use it for cooking
-they could migrate to places with colder climates
-allowed socializing after dark
-may have been important for their cultural adaptation
fire allowed hominins to socialize after dark, why was this significant for them?
it honed their communication and expanded language
