Tool culture 2

Question 1

Describe the gradual increase in size of cranium and brain as hominin evolution

Answer 1

-increase to house larger brain (450-1350)
-increase number/depth of convolutions and size of frontal lobe
-foramen magnum moves to cranium centre
-sagittal crest for jaw muscle attachment dissipates
-nuchal area for neck muscle attachment becomes smaller
-cranium=smoother dome shaped
-brow ridge smaller
-less prognathism

Question 2

What is an endocast

Answer 2

impression of internal brain case used to calculate cranial capacity of fossilised skull

Question 3

Describe the change in prognathism and dentition as hominin evolution

Answer 3

-gradual decrease in molar size and robustness
-decrease prognathism
-brow ridge decrease size/prominence
-flattened face/developed chin
-dental arcade more parabolic
-lower jaw and teeth smaller(similar size)
-no diastema

Question 4

Describe the change in torso and limbs as hominin evolution

Answer 4

-arms have shortened in proportion to legs
-femur slopes inwards towards knee manipulative ability improved in hands
-broader pelvis and smaller ribcage
-lumbar vertebrae more wedge-shaped (S shaped spine)

Question 5

Determine the difference between cranial capacity and brain size

Answer 5

Brain size is inferred from cranial capacity.

Question 6

Describe the features of Australopithecus

Answer 6

Bipedal form of locomotion and erect stance
-non-opposable, robust big toe parallel to other digits
-well-developed longitudinal arch
-foramen magnum more fwd/centre
-S shaped vertebral column
-long arms w/curved fingers for brachiation
-short, round pelvis

Teeth and skull
-short, non-projecting canines
-parabolic shape
-low forehead, more projecting jaw

-shorter growth period therefore less time with parents

Question 6

Compare and contrast the two Australopithecus species

Answer 6

Afarensis:
-E.Africe (Ethiopia, kenya)
-3.4 m.y.a
-cranial capacity 430cm3
-low, sloping forehead prominent brow ridge
-diastema present
Africanus:
-2.7 m.y.a southern africa
-cranial capacity 460cm3
-smaller ridge and slightly arched forehead
-no diastema smaller teeth

Question 7

Describe the features of Paranthropus robustus

Answer 7

-1.5 m.y.a southern africa
-large sagittal crest for attachment of strong chewing muscles
-large molars/premolars w/smalll incisors and canines
(to ground tough fibrous food)
-prognathism
-wide, dish shaped face w/large zygomatic arches (for muscles)
-heavy brow ridges
-structures for bipedalism
-cranial capacity 542cm3

Question 8

Describe the features of Homo Habilis

Answer 8

-1.9 m.y.a E.S africa
-cranial capacity of 590cm3
-small brow ridge, moderate prog
-rounder skull and central foramen magnum
-teeth in rounder arc
-relatively short legs and long arms
-slightly curved finger bones=strong grip and can form precision grip

Question 9

Describe the features of homo erectus

Answer 9

-1m.y.a N.E.S africa and W.E. asia
-cranial capacity of 1004cm3
-short, stocky body w/thicker bones=demanding life
-low, sloping forehead
-defined brow ridge
-large, thick jaw without a chin
-reduced size molars

Question 10

Describe the features of homo neanderthalensis

Answer 10

-220000 y.a Europe and S.W. central Asia
-evolved for colder climate (large nose)
-cranial capacity 1485cm3
-big face, low large skull, heavy brow ridge
-lower jaw lacking definite chin
-larger brain than humans=robust skull and occipital bun
-short stature, robust, muscular (wider shoulders)
-thick, shorter limbs

Question 11

Describe the features of homo sapiens

Answer 11

-300000 y.a. Africa
-cranial capacity 1350cm3
-short base and high braincase, thin walled skull w/ flat vertical forehead
-less prominent brow ridge, small jaw, less facial projection (prognathism)
-smaller teeth
-shorter arms compared to legs,

Question 12

Describe the oldowan cultural period

Answer 12

2.15 m.y.a in olduvia valley, kenya
-homo habilis
-Simple pebble tools, scrapers, flakes of rock
-crudely fashioned, limited design visualisation

Question 13

Describe the acheulian cultural period
(look at example pictures)

Answer 13

-1.7-200000 y.a. france
-homo erectus
-Bi-faced stone axes, spears
-more blows to=tear drop shape
-Greater cooperation, complex language development
-Used fire

Question 14

Describe the mousterian cultural period
(look at example pictures)

Answer 14

-200-40000 y.a. france
-homo neanderthalensis
-Finer detailed handaxes and blades than Acheulian
-Use of flint (predictable in chips)
-practiced ritualised burial, music

Question 15

Describe the aurignacian cultural period
(look at example pictures)

Answer 15

`-43-26000y.a. aurignac, france
-homo sapiens
-Blade tools made from antler & bone & stone
-Skilled hunters, lived in large groups, engraved and painted on walls

Question 16

Describe the solutrean cultural period and it’s tools
(look at example pictures)

Answer 16

-22-19000 y.a. sultre, france
-homo sapiens
-Spear heads, delicate blades/knives
-flint willow leaves (ornamental), some ceremonial
-Other materials added (bone, antler, and ivory

Question 17

Describe the magdalenian cultural period and it’s tools
(look at example pictures)

Answer 17

-18-12000y.a. Le Madeleine, France
-homo sapiens
-Fishing tools, needles
-Used tools to make tools
-Artwork more sophisticated & colourful

Question 18

Describe the transitional cultural period and it’s tools
(look at example pictures)

Answer 18

12000y.a. variety of geographic areas
-homo sapiens
-Microliths fitted onto wood/bone handle (hafted)
-variety of tools produced, finely made, more varied materials used
-Warmer temperatures=change in animals hunted

Question 19

Describe the agricultural revolution cultural period and it’s tools
(look at example pictures)

Answer 19

12-10000y.a.
-homo sapiens
-Axe heads, chisels & polishing tools
-Domestication of plants and animals
-greater population densities achieved=development of artisans

Question 20

Describe the evolutionary trends of tools
What did they achieve as a result?

Answer 20

-increased tool manipulation and complexity
-greater variety of materials used to make tools
-increased specialisation
-increased collaboration required: effective communication/language development, specific roles or skills, manipulation of the environment

Question 21

Describe behavioural evolution as a result of brain evolution

Answer 21

-increased brain development=increased complex behaviour exhibited
(symbolic artefacts and images as means for communication)
(use knowledge of animals habits/tools alongside planning and communication to coordinate hunting of large game)

Question 22

How was natural history intelligence achieved

Answer 22

predict future by understanding
-habits of game
-rhythms of season
-geography of land

Question 23

What were the benefits of fire

Answer 23

-remain active at night (light source)
-cooking(meat=more palatable and preservable when smoked)
-protection from predators
-warmth

Question 24

What are the tool making techniques (provide brief summary)

Answer 24

-Hard Hammer Percussion: Chipping core w/harder material = larger flakes H. habilis and H. erectus (Oldowan and Acheulian Tool Cultures)
-Soft Hammer: hammer made of bone. Core struck to remove flakes.
=smaller flakes=more precision and a sharper edge.
Neanderthals -Mousterian tool culture
-Pressure Flaking
Small, carefully controlled flakes are chipped off from the blade.
Much more control, allowed for finer work.
H. sapiens (Cro magnon) – Solutrean Tool Culture
-Punch Blade: made of antler or stone is used as an intermediary tool. The punch is place at the edge of the core and hit with a hammer stone=more precision and finer work/sharper edges.
-Levallois: preparing a core and striking off a large oval flake that is then retouched on one surface only (becomes the tool).
Neanderthals -Mousterian tool culture