Origin of Homo Line Flashcards
What was the first Homo species found?
Homo habilis
When was the first Homo species dated and where?
- Dated for 2.4 MYA
- Fossils confined to Africa
What are some knowns of Homo habilis lifestyle?
- Evidence of technology (used simple stone tools)
- Meat eaters
What was the second Homo species found?
Homo erectus
When was the Homo erectus dated back to?
2 MYA
Where were Homo erectus found and what is significant about this?
Found in Africa, Europe and Asia
* First Hominins to emigrate from Africa
* Meant they were good walkers
* Could walk long distances and even run
* No longer relied on climbing
What are some knowns about Homo erectus lifestyle and what does this mean?
4-5
- Had controlled use of fire = less primitive
- Used elaborate tools (stone and bone) = intelligent
- Systematic hunting = teamwork meaning good communication
- Tracked prey = intelligence
- Could make sounds (no speech) = communication
Increasing trend of intelligence from Homo habilis
Compared to earlier hominins, describe changes in structure of skull and what it means.
4-6
- Increased size of brain case (cranium) = more intelligent
- Smaller brow ridges = protect eyes
- Human sized teeth = maybe more meat based diet that was cooked
- More parabolic teeth pattern = change in diet
- Smaller zygomatic arches = smaller jaw muscles
- Very small crest on skull = less bite force`
Compared to earlier hominins, describe changes in structure of limbs and pelvis and what it means.
- Forwards facing big toe = All time spent on ground, no longer climbed
- Smaller arms to leg ratio = efficient bidpedalers
- Larger gap in pelvis and more bowl shaped = larger (more intelligent) headed babies
What are the next three main homo species after Homo erectus?
Only main species
1.Homo heidelbergensis
2.Homo neanderthalensis
3.Homo denisovans
Describe some knowns about structural morphology of Homo heidelbergensis
4
- Sloping forehead
- Prominent brow ridge
- Large brain
- Big teeth (slightly bigger than us, smaller than Homo erectus)
Describe some knowns about the lifestyle of Homo Heidelbergensis and what it means
4
- Hunted large animals = teamwork + highly intelligent
- Built shelters = intelligent and precise dexterity
- Made and used fires routinely = intelligent
- Lived succesfully in colder climates = Capable of making comples shelters, clothing from animal products and fires to stay warm
Describe some knowns about structural morphology of Homo neanderthalensis
4-5
- Increased brain size
- Big brow ridges
- Large eye sockets
- Low sloping head
- Stocky build
What does a stocky build in Homo neanderthalansis help with?
3
- Reduces surface area to volume ratio
- This helps conserve heat
- Adaptation for livin in colder climates
What were some knowns about the lifestyle of Homo neanderthalensis and what does it suggest?
4-6
- Found in Europe during Ice age = sophisticated clothing and shelter to stay warm
- Used fire = intelligent and kept warm
- Fine tools and weapons = intelligent and good dexterity
- Made shelter and clothing
- Ceremonies and buried the dead = complex thought and maybe possessed religion
- Possibly used language (very simple words) = intelligent and good communicators
What are some known morphological aspects of the Homo denisovans?
Similar build to neanderthals (stocky, large cranium, etc.)
Why is there very little known structurally and lifetsyle aspects about Homo denisovans
Only a singular finger boe and teeth were found as proof of existence
How is so much known about Homo denisovans despite lack of fossils?
- Fossils were found in cave in Siberia
- Cold climate preserved fossils well
- Were able to sample DNA from non decomposed matter
Even Homo neanderthalensis have been DNA tested
Which other significant Homo species existed in the island of Flores in Indonesia?
Homo floresiensis
What is a significant difference between morphology of Homo floresiensis compared to other Homo species?
Were individuals that woould have been only about 3 feet in height (dwarf height)
What are some knowns about the lifestyle of Homo floresiensis?
- Used stone tools
Not much elese is known
What are some reasons of island dwarfism for Homo floresiensis?
- Smaller body due to lack of resources on island
- Smaller body requires less resources to live
- Small island means less distance needs to be covered
What are we?
Homo sapiens
Since when have Homo sapiens existed?
200,000 years ago to present day
What are some characteristics of Homo sapiens?
- Enlarged brain case accomodating larger brain
- Capable of complex thought processes and ability to adapt to changing environment
- Flat face
- No brow ridge
- Skilful tool makers (beyond stone)
- Development of speech and abstract thought
- Elaborate ceremonies, culture and religion
List all the main hominins chronologically
There are 9 species
- Australopithecus afarensis
- Australopithecus africanus
- Homo habilis
- Homo erectus
- Homo heidelbergensis/neanderthalensis/denisovans/floresiensis
- Homo sapiens
