Modern Humans- Our Origin Flashcards
what makes us different from other hominins?
fluent speech, creativity, expert toolmaking, cognitive flexibility
what is the most SIGNIFICANT difference between modern humans and early hominins?
we carry the FOXP2 gene which is required for proper development of speech and language
what other hominins possess the FOXP2 gene?
Neanderthals
do chimps possess the ability to create speech?
no, they do not have the vocal tract structure to create speech
what are the 3 origin theories that are debated when talking about homo sapiens?
- multiregionalism
- recent single origin theory
- assimilation
describe the multiregionalism theory
we evolved from multiple regions of the world, preventing splitting into one common race
describe the recent single origin theory
we all evolved in Africa & displaced others through migration **in the last 200,000yrs
describe the assimilation theory
humans left Africa & mated with Neanderthals & Denisovans
what origin theory does DNA support? Explain why
the assimilation model; 1-4% of homo sapiens have Neanderthal DNA except those with African origin
what theory does mitochondrial DNA support? what is significant about this type of DNA?
single origin theory; only females carry mtDNA
the earliest archaic H. Sapiens were found where in the world?
Bodo-600,000ya and
Ileret-300,000ya in East Africa
the earliest archaic H. Sapiens derived from what hominin?
H. Erectus
when did more modern H. Sapiens appear?
200,000ya
do any other places in the world aside from Africa have evidence of pre-modern H. Sapiens?
no.
when did H. Sapiens first appear in the middle east?
100,000ya
what sites in Africa (not Bodo or Ileret) had evidence of more modern homo sapiens?
Klaises River Mouth-90,000ya and
Border Cave Site-80,000ya
what was found at the Klaises River Mouth?
flakes, debitage and human bones
what was found at the Border Cave Site?
jaw and arm bone
After migrating into the M.East, where else and in what order did H. Sapiens migrate to in the world?
- Europe
- Asia
- Australia
- The Americas
was their likely overlap of H. Sapiens and Neanderthals in the M. East?
yes
where is it believed that H. Sapiens and Neanderthals overlapped in the M. East?
Israel, at the Amud and Tabun caves- 100,000ya
when did Denisovans exist?
during the lower and middle paleolithic
Denisovans are similar to what hominin?
Neanderthals
Do Denisovans have a common ancestor with H. Sapiens and Neanderthals?
yes
when did the split between Denisovans and modern humans occur?
550,000ya
when did the split between Denisovans and Neanderthals occur?
less than 400,000ya
Denisovan DNA is found in what indigenous groups in the world and how much?
Malaysians, Indigenous Australia and Filipinos; 5%
The African Middle Stone Age was significant because..?
it replaced Archeulean industries in Africa
when was the African Stone Age?
during the middle paleolithic; 200,000-300,000ya
when did the African Stone Age end?
40,000ya
what types of tools were found during the African stone age?
blade tools, made using the pressure flaking technique
what is pressure flaking?
using something like antler or bone to break off flakes of rock
what was special about blade tools?
they were 2 times longer than they were wide and more efficient than other types of tools
what 3 tool industries were prevalent during the African Middle Stone Age?
Aterian, Sangoan/Lupemban and Howiesons Port
Aterian culture was first to use what? where was it found?
bow and arrow; Africa
Sangoan culture was known for what and found where?
bifacial triangular shaped tools; found in Uganda
Howiesons Poort had the first type of what tool?
multitools
where were barbed/unbarabed stone points seen for the first time in the world?
Katanda, Africa- less than 75,000ya
Are the bone tools found at the Katanda site in Africa the oldest in the world of its type?
yes
what was found at Blombos cave in South africa?
ochre with incised designs; it is considered the oldest rock art in the world
what else was significant about the African Middle stone age?
there was evidence of hunting large game, intense use of fire and exploitation of marine resources
