Modern Humans- Our Origin

Question 1

what makes us different from other hominins?

Answer 1

fluent speech, creativity, expert toolmaking, cognitive flexibility

Question 2

what is the most SIGNIFICANT difference between modern humans and early hominins?

Answer 2

we carry the FOXP2 gene which is required for proper development of speech and language

Question 3

what other hominins possess the FOXP2 gene?

Answer 3

Neanderthals

Question 4

do chimps possess the ability to create speech?

Answer 4

no, they do not have the vocal tract structure to create speech

Question 5

what are the 3 origin theories that are debated when talking about homo sapiens?

Answer 5

1. multiregionalism
2. recent single origin theory
3. assimilation

Question 6

describe the multiregionalism theory

Answer 6

we evolved from multiple regions of the world, preventing splitting into one common race

Question 7

describe the recent single origin theory

Answer 7

we all evolved in Africa & displaced others through migration **in the last 200,000yrs

Question 8

describe the assimilation theory

Answer 8

humans left Africa & mated with Neanderthals & Denisovans

Question 9

what origin theory does DNA support? Explain why

Answer 9

the assimilation model; 1-4% of homo sapiens have Neanderthal DNA except those with African origin

Question 10

what theory does mitochondrial DNA support? what is significant about this type of DNA?

Answer 10

single origin theory; only females carry mtDNA

Question 11

the earliest archaic H. Sapiens were found where in the world?

Answer 11

Bodo-600,000ya and
Ileret-300,000ya in East Africa

Question 12

the earliest archaic H. Sapiens derived from what hominin?

Answer 12

H. Erectus

Question 13

when did more modern H. Sapiens appear?

Answer 13

200,000ya

Question 14

do any other places in the world aside from Africa have evidence of pre-modern H. Sapiens?

Answer 14

no.

Question 15

when did H. Sapiens first appear in the middle east?

Answer 15

100,000ya

Question 16

what sites in Africa (not Bodo or Ileret) had evidence of more modern homo sapiens?

Answer 16

Klaises River Mouth-90,000ya and
Border Cave Site-80,000ya

Question 17

what was found at the Klaises River Mouth?

Answer 17

flakes, debitage and human bones

Question 18

what was found at the Border Cave Site?

Answer 18

jaw and arm bone

Question 19

After migrating into the M.East, where else and in what order did H. Sapiens migrate to in the world?

Answer 19

1. Europe
2. Asia
3. Australia
4. The Americas

Question 20

was their likely overlap of H. Sapiens and Neanderthals in the M. East?

Answer 20

yes

Question 21

where is it believed that H. Sapiens and Neanderthals overlapped in the M. East?

Answer 21

Israel, at the Amud and Tabun caves- 100,000ya

Question 22

when did Denisovans exist?

Answer 22

during the lower and middle paleolithic

Question 23

Denisovans are similar to what hominin?

Answer 23

Neanderthals

Question 24

Do Denisovans have a common ancestor with H. Sapiens and Neanderthals?

Answer 24

yes

Question 25

when did the split between Denisovans and modern humans occur?

Answer 25

550,000ya

Question 26

when did the split between Denisovans and Neanderthals occur?

Answer 26

less than 400,000ya

Question 27

Denisovan DNA is found in what indigenous groups in the world and how much?

Answer 27

Malaysians, Indigenous Australia and Filipinos; 5%

Question 28

The African Middle Stone Age was significant because..?

Answer 28

it replaced Archeulean industries in Africa

Question 29

when was the African Stone Age?

Answer 29

during the middle paleolithic; 200,000-300,000ya

Question 30

when did the African Stone Age end?

Answer 30

40,000ya

Question 31

what types of tools were found during the African stone age?

Answer 31

blade tools, made using the pressure flaking technique

Question 32

what is pressure flaking?

Answer 32

using something like antler or bone to break off flakes of rock

Question 33

what was special about blade tools?

Answer 33

they were 2 times longer than they were wide and more efficient than other types of tools

Question 34

what 3 tool industries were prevalent during the African Middle Stone Age?

Answer 34

Aterian, Sangoan/Lupemban and Howiesons Port

Question 35

Aterian culture was first to use what? where was it found?

Answer 35

bow and arrow; Africa

Question 36

Sangoan culture was known for what and found where?

Answer 36

bifacial triangular shaped tools; found in Uganda

Question 37

Howiesons Poort had the first type of what tool?

Answer 37

multitools

Question 38

where were barbed/unbarabed stone points seen for the first time in the world?

Answer 38

Katanda, Africa- less than 75,000ya

Question 39

Are the bone tools found at the Katanda site in Africa the oldest in the world of its type?

Answer 39

yes

Question 40

what was found at Blombos cave in South africa?

Answer 40

ochre with incised designs; it is considered the oldest rock art in the world

Question 41

what else was significant about the African Middle stone age?

Answer 41

there was evidence of hunting large game, intense use of fire and exploitation of marine resources