W3: L14 = Palaeozoology [Human Evolution] (Prof. Shaw) Flashcards
Hominin?
= a primate which comprises those species regarded as human, directly ancestral to humans, or very closely related to humans.
Hominoid?
=
Hominid?
=
Explain how humans supposedly diverged from their ancestors?
Layout The Evolutionary Journey? (3)
Australopithecines
I
Paranthropus
I
Homo
Australopithecines?
= the earliest known hominins, characterised by their bipedalism & small brain size.
Paranthropus?
= a robust, specialised branch of hominins adapted to a tough, fibrous diet.
Homo?
= marked by larger brains, more advanced tool use & cognitive abilities.
Australopithecines video attributes? (3)
- Missing link.
- Link to humans via bipedalism.
- Increase in meat consumption, increased brain size, which increased intelligence & increased stone tool use.
Australopithecines attributes? (8)
- 7-1 mya.
- Bipedalism & small brain size.
- Early ancestors in the human evolutionary lineage.
- No stone or bone tools.
- Lived in savanna environments.
- Hunted by leopards, lions, hyenas & birds of prey.
- Small in size.
- Only in Africa (southern & eastern Africa).
Paranthropus attributes? (7)
- 2-1 mya.
- Large, powerful jaws & teeth.
- Processing a diet of tough, fibrous plant materials.
- Bone tools (made them).
- Saggital crest for muscle attchment (due to diet).
- Southern & eastern Africa.
List of Homo mentioned? (5)
- Homo habilis.
- Homo erectus.
- Archaic humans.
- Homo sapiens.
- Modern humans.
Homo habilis attributes? (7)
- 2.3-1.6 mya.
- African hominin.
- First homo species to emerge.
- First hominin to make stone tools.
- Larger brain size, indicating an increase in cognitive abilities.
- Made simple stone tools.
- Transitional species between the australopithecines & later, more advanced Homo species.
Homo erectus attributes? (8)
- 2mya - 300 000kya.
- Significantly larger brain size compared to earlier hominins, allowing for more advanced cognitive capabilities.
- More advanced stone tools, including hand axes & cleavers.
- First controlled use of fire (crucial technological advancement).
- First to leave Africa.
- Ability to make fire enabled them to live in colder climates (niche expansion).
- How did they learn to make fire & control it (fire via lightning).
- Started hunting (via wooden spears to hunt animals as large stone tools were too big & heavy for hunting; hardened spears with fire).
Archaic humans attributes? (6)
- 800 000 - 30 000 kya.
- Transition between Homo erectus & modern Homo species.
- Stocky, muscular build & larger brains.
- Highly capable tool-makers.
- Practiced complex burial rituals, indicating the development of sophisticated social & cultural behaviours.
- Coexisted & interbred with early Homo sapiens.
