Modern Humans

Question 1

Where are the oldest human remains from?

Answer 1

From Africa, dated to between 160k - 300k (oldest in Morocco)

Question 2

What makes humans “modern”

Answer 2

• Rounder braincase, high vertical forehead, no/small browridges, small flat face tucked under braincase, protruding chin, brain is almost all 1350 cc

Question 3

What do modern humans’ postcrania look like?

Answer 3

• Less robust
• More slender bones (not as thick)
• Longer distal limb bones
• Shallow chest
• Early Homo sapiens still more robust than contemporary humans
• Not cold adapted body type

Question 4

Where did Homo sapiens come from?

Answer 4

• Evolved in Africa
• Appeared in Europe and Asia 60k years ago

Question 5

What archeological evidence shows that humans evolved in Africa?

Answer 5

• Distinct Homo sapiens tool industry never found in association with Neanderthals
• Advanced technology appears first in Africa

Question 6

What fossil evidence shows that humans evolved in Africa?

Answer 6

African fossils of modern humans are oldest (300k and onwards)

Question 7

What genetic evidence shows that humans evolved in Africa?

Answer 7

• All humans share a common ancestor that lived between 100k - 300k years ago in Africa
• Last common ancestors to non-Africans left Africa 60k - 80k years ago

Question 8

What is the founder effect in relation to Homo sapiens?

Answer 8

The peopling of the earth is a series of founder effects (a place is found by a small population)

Question 9

Did modern humans interbreed with archaic Homo populations?

Answer 9

Yes, they interbred with archaic Homo populations in Eurasia

Question 10

What mode of tools do Homo sapiens use?

Answer 10

Mode 4 tools.
- Production of blades instead of flakes
- Long thin flat with sharp edge
- Soft hammer percussions
- Can be turned into a variety of tool types
- Shape determined by maker, not raw material’s shape

Question 11

What type of tools did Homo sapiens use?

Answer 11

• Stone: points, knives, drills, chisels, scrapers, arrow heads
• Bone: points, fish hooks, sewing needles, beads, throwing sticks (projectiles)
• Tools have variation in time and place

Question 12

What are signatures of modern human behaviour?

Answer 12

• Earliest present in 250k years ago in Kenya
• Trade and transport of materials
• Ornamental objects

Question 13

When did Homo sapiens appear in Europe?

Answer 13

• 40k years ago
• Europe was dry cold grassland with large game
• Homo sapiens had wider range of prey than Neanderthals
• Large game hunters; but also fish, plant foods
• Used tools to process animals instead of teeth

Question 14

What are some symbolic and ritualistic features of Homo sapiens?

Answer 14

• Shelters
• Fur clothing
• Burials