Textbook: Chapter 2, H. erectus Flashcards
How did the physical attributes of Paleolithic humans compare to modern humans, and how did their lifestyle affect their health?
Paleolithic humans had stronger bones and lived without dental decay. They had the physical attributes and cardiovascular conditioning of modern athletes due to the stresses of hunting and survival. Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity were nonexistent, as they lived disease-free lives if they survived injuries, childbirth, or trauma.
How did the evolution of human intelligence and language contribute to the development of H. erectus?
The evolution of a larger brain in H. erectus allowed for better comprehension and communication, likely advancing language acquisition and cognitive abilities.
This development helped them store and process information, anticipate events, and solve problems, leading to more advanced social and cognitive networks.
Over hundreds of thousands of years, those who adapted to their environment through intelligent behavior and communication were more likely to survive.
How did the development of a common early human culture benefit H. erectus in their survival?
H. erectus gained distinct advantages through integrating information, developing ideas, and remembering past experiences.
Those who adapted quickly, learned, and taught others how to respond rapidly to environmental challenges survived and passed on this knowledge, continuing the evolutionary process.
How did natural selection contribute to the evolutionary success of H. erectus during significant environmental changes?
Natural selection favored individuals who adapted to the rapidly changing environment, including fragmented forests, spreading savannas, and a cooling climate.
These individuals survived, reproduced, and passed on knowledge, marking the evolutionary separation of H. erectus from other hominid species as they migrated to new parts of the world.
What role did tectonic plate movements and landscape changes play in the evolution of H. erectus?
Tectonic plate movements, particularly the uplifting of the Tibetan plateau, influenced climate patterns by drawing moist air from East Africa, causing it to dry out. This created a fragmented landscape in East Africa with diverse microclimates and freshwater lakes, driving the evolution of H. erectus, who adapted to these environmental changes.
How did the East African Rift System contribute to the evolution of H. erectus?
The East African Rift System, formed by tectonic plate rifting, created a fragmented landscape with fluctuating freshwater lakes. During periods of lake flooding and drying, H. erectus developed key competencies for foraging, tool-making, and migration. The dramatic increase in brain size in H. erectus is linked to these environmental changes and the pressures of survival.
What role did the Mediterranean and rising sea levels play in the migration of H. erectus into Europe?
During glacial and interglacial periods, fluctuating sea levels narrowed the Straits of Gibraltar, potentially providing a shorter route from North Africa to Southern Europe. However, the lack of evidence for African wildlife using the same route raises questions about the viability of this hypothesis.
How did H. erectus adapt to the extreme climates of Europe, and what does the site of Gran Dolina in Spain reveal?
H. erectus may have initially encountered harsh glacial conditions in northern Europe but sustained occupation took place in sites like Gran Dolina, where early humans lived in caves for hundreds of thousands of years despite extreme climate changes, demonstrating their resilience and adaptability.
What did researchers conclude after examining skeletons at the Sima de los Huesos site in Spain?
Researchers concluded that H. erectus, H. heidelbergensis, and H. neanderthalensis coexisted in similar European habitats, indicating that multiple species of hominids lived simultaneously in these regions.
Which species is thought to have eventually dominated the European habitat due to its physical strength and larger brain?
A) H. sapiens
B) H. erectus
C) H. heidelbergensis
D) H. neanderthalensis
H. neanderthalensis
How did the physical and social advancements of H. erectus contribute to their success in hunting larger prey?
H. erectus became bigger, more intelligent, and exhibited group cooperation, allowing them to hunt larger prey. Evidence from fossil records shows changes in carnivore communities, with the disappearance of sabertooths and the rise of modern species like lions, leopards, and jackals, who became the dominant carnivores around 300,000 years ago.
What recent discovery supports the idea that humans played a role in the extinction of mega-fauna?
The discovery of a frozen mammoth on Wrangell Island, dating back 4,500 years, coincides with the arrival of the first humans in the area, providing evidence that humans were present when many large animals, such as mammoths, disappeared from the region.
