SItes Flashcards
Know the location, age, significance, findings, and relation of sites
HADAR SITE
Located: Ethiopia
Age: 3.4 million years ago
Significant findings: Fossils of Australopithecus afarensis (e.g., “Lucy”), early tools
Relevance to Homo erectus: Provides context for bipedalism and early tool use, laying the foundation for Homo erectus.
LOKALALEI
Location: Kenya, East Africa
Age: Approximately 2.3 million years ago
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy and radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Early Oldowan tools, evidence of meat processing
Relevance to Homo erectus: Evidence of tool use and diet changes, critical for understanding Homo erectus’ survival strategies.
OLDUVAI GORGE
Age: Approximately 1.8 million years ago (DK1), 1.5 million years ago (FLK 1 North)
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Early Homo erectus fossils, Oldowan and Acheulean tools, evidence of butchery
Relevance to Homo erectus: Provides critical evidence of Homo erectus’ tool use, meat-eating, and adaptation strategies.
DMANSISI
Location: Georgia, Eurasia
Age: Approximately 1.8 million years ago
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Early Homo erectus fossils, including skulls and postcranial remains, as well as tools
Relevance to Homo erectus: One of the earliest sites outside Africa showing the spread of Homo erectus.
JEBEL IRHOUND
Location: Morocco, North Africa
Age: Approximately 300,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Fossils of early modern humans (Homo sapiens), but with traits shared with Homo erectus
Relevance to Homo erectus: Shows the transition from Homo erectus to Homo sapiens; links evolutionary traits between species.
BLOMBOS CAVE
Location: South Africa
Age: Approximately 75,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Evidence of symbolic behavior (e.g., carved ochre, shell beads), early tool types
Relevance to Homo erectus: Reflects the progression of tool use and symbolic behavior, providing a backdrop for later Homo species’ cognitive development.
UMM EL TLEL
Location: Syria, Levant region
Age: Approximately 200,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Evidence of early human activity, tools, and possible dwellings
Relevance to Homo erectus: Demonstrates Homo erectus-like adaptability in temperate climates and complex behaviors, influencing later humans.
KEBARA CAVE
Location: Israel, Levant region
Age: Approximately 60,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Neanderthal fossils, evidence of tool use, and burial practices
Relevance to Homo erectus: Provides insight into Neanderthal evolution from earlier hominins like Homo erectus, demonstrating cultural and adaptive advancements.
HOHLEFELS
Location: Germany, Europe
Age: Approximately 40,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiometric dating
Significant Findings: Early symbolic artifacts (e.g., figurines), Aurignacian tools
Relevance to Homo erectus: Represents the development of symbolic and artistic behavior, building on cognitive skills first seen in Homo erectus.
NAUWALABILA
Location: Australia
Age: Approximately 60,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Radiocarbon dating
Significant Findings: Early human artifacts, evidence of the first human arrival in Australia
Relevance to Homo erectus: Shows the global movement of Homo species from Africa, highlighting Homo erectus’ initial dispersals.
LAKE MUNGO
Location: Australia
Age: Approximately 40,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Radiocarbon dating
Significant Findings: Early human remains, evidence of ritual behavior, and tools
Relevance to Homo erectus: Highlights the continuation of adaptation and migration that began with Homo erectus’ exit from Africa.
MONTE VERDE
Location: Chile, South America
Age: Approximately 14,500 years ago
Age Confirmation: Radiocarbon dating
Significant Findings: Evidence of early human presence in South America, pre-dating the Clovis culture
Relevance to Homo erectus: Provides evidence for early human migration, contributing to understanding Homo erectus’ long-lasting dispersal patterns.
PEDRA FURADA
Location: Brazil, South America
Age: Approximately 20,000 years ago (disputed)
Age Confirmation: Stratigraphy, radiocarbon dating (contested)
Significant Findings: Evidence of early human occupation and stone tools
Relevance to Homo erectus: Provides evidence of migration from Asia to the Americas, suggesting how Homo erectus might have traveled globally.
PEDRA PINTADA
Location: Brazil, South America
Age: Approximately 12,000 years ago
Age Confirmation: Radiocarbon dating
Significant Findings: Rock art and early human artifacts
Relevance to Homo erectus: Shows evidence of human symbolic behavior and migration routes that were started by Homo erectus.
KHARANEH
Location: Kharaneh is an archaeological site in Jordan, dating to the Epipaleolithic (around 12,000 years ago).
Significance: Kharaneh provides evidence of early pastoralism and hunting-gathering practices. It is one of the oldest known sites to show signs of human habitation and the management of domestic animals like goats and sheep.
Key Features: The site contains evidence of semi-permanent structures and tools, indicating a shift from nomadic to more sedentary lifestyles.
