Week 2: Ancestors

Question 1

Categorise humans using the Linnaen Classification, starting from Kingdom to Species. Describe the subfamily.

Answer 1

Humans species are:
Kingdom > Phylum > Class > Order > Family > Genus > Species
Animalia > Chordate > Mammalia > Primates > Hominidae > Hominins (Sub-family incl. chimps, gorillas, humans) > Homo > Sapiens

Question 2

Explain the African East Side Story and what did this lead to?

Answer 2

8 m.y.a, East African forests became a savanna due to the collision of Africa & Euroasia. This drove our ancestors to walk bipedally. This led to many advantages, whilst also disadvantages. Disadvantages include, loss of speed, back problem, birthing pain & late infant locomotion. However, advantages included: improved sight, freeing hands (leading to throwing, gathering, tool use, gestural communication), and reduced sun exposure

Question 3

What is the first ever discovered species of homins? What is its nickname?

Answer 3

Australopithecus Africanus, or Taung Child

Question 4

What is the Lumper vs Splitter debate?

Answer 4

The debate around genus, species & subspecies

Question 5

Name the earliest hominin and its characteristics (4.4 mya). Brain size:
Development:
Physical Attributes/Anatomy:

Answer 5

Ardipithihecus Ramidus or Ardi
Had 300-350cc
Facultative bipedalism
Grasping big toe and wrist could bend backwards

Question 6

Ardipithihecus Ramidus is the earliest hominin? T/F

Answer 6

True, 4.4 mya

Question 7

What are the two discussed species of Australopithecus? What are their nicknames?

Answer 7

Australopithecus Africanus (Taung Child) and Australopithecus Afranesus (Lucy)

Question 8

What are the characteristics of the Taung Child and Lucy (Give their species name). What evidences (2) is used to make inference about them?

Answer 8

A. Africanus:
450 cc, 1.2m tall
A. Afarensis:
500 cc
Lice data suggests they were naked. Head lice split from head to public around 3.3 mya
Footprint evidence suggests they were bipedal

Question 9

What is paranthropus also regarded as?

Answer 9

They are also referred to as robust australopithecines

Question 10

Name the two discussed species of Paranthropus (which is named as “nutcracker man.” Also name their characteristics:
Brain:
Physical anatomy:
Activities (diet):

Answer 10

Paranthropus Robustus (2.0 - 1.5 mya) & Paranthropus Boisei (nutcracker man) (2.3-1.2 mya)
550cc brain
Large & powerful jaw, sagittal crest
Eat nuts & hard plant matter, bone and stone tool use

Question 11

What is the earlist discovered homo genus species? What evidence did they also provide?

Answer 11

Homo Habilis or “Handyman” (2.3 mya - 1.5 mya)
They have the oldest evidence of stone tools; Oldowan tools

Question 12

Name the user and use of oldowan tools

Answer 12

Homo Habilis “Handyman” used Oldowann tools. They were tools used to make tools. It is also used to butcher carcasses

Question 13

Which species existed between 1.8 mya to 0.2 mya?

Answer 13

Homo Erectus

Question 14

Name the characteristics of homo erectus:
Brain
Body size
Activities:
Diet:

Answer 14

700-1200 cc, closer to human size
Up to 1.8 m tall
They used fire and cooked, held modern gait, and did long distance running
Diet changed towards meat

Question 15

What type of tool is the Bifacial Handaxe described as? Who used it?

Answer 15

Acheulean tools & Homo Erectus

Question 16

Where was the first homo erectus found? What did this suggest?

Answer 16

Java. This suggested the 1st hominin to migrate out of Africa

Question 17

What does the term “archaic” homo sapiens refer to?

Answer 17

It is the informal term for hominins between homo erectus (transitory) to modern homo sapiens.
They are characterised with larger brains and more robust features

Question 18

The earliet archaic homo sapiens (200,000-600,000 ya) is the …..

Answer 18

Homo Heidelbergensis

Question 19

What does the Levallois Technology comprise of?

Answer 19

The introduction of the first composite tools, and as well the regular control of fire

Question 20

The species that existed 160,000 - 40,000 years ago

Answer 20

Homo Neanderthalensis (Neanderthals)

Question 21

How did Neanderthals demonstrate complex culture? (6)

Answer 21

• Use of Mousterian tools
• Fire, clothing, shelter
• Cared for sick and disabled
• Burials
• Cave paintings
• Jewellery

Question 22

Which species is named “hobbits?” Name its characteristics.

Answer 22

Homo florensiensis 50,000 ya
1m tall, tiny brain 330cc, dwarf species

Question 23

Name the users of the listed tools:
1. Mousterian tools
2. Acheullean Tools
3. Oldowan Tools

Answer 23

1. Neaderthals
2. Homo Erectus
3. Homo Habilis

Question 24

How long ago was the introduction of Levallois Technology?

Answer 24

300,000 years ago.
Composite tools and regular fire control

Question 25

What are some potential causes of other hominins’ extinction? (3)

Answer 25

1. Rapid changes in environment
2. Tech superiority displaced other hominins
3. Intraspecies violence

Question 26

Describe the Mitochondrial “Eve”

Answer 26

Mitochondrias remain unchanged throughout the female line (except due to gene mutation), and thus the mitochondria can be traced to its roots in which the “Eve” traces back to Africa 200,000 - 150,000 y.a

Question 27

Explain the multiregional account and the Out-of-Africa model (including the contrary evidence against the multiregional account), and conclude with how this is included together

Answer 27

M.A.: Local adaptation & gene transfer gradually gave rise to H. sapiens with local race difference, that is, homo erectus and homo sapiens are of the same lineage and evolved locally.
OofA: H. Sapien evolved in Africa 200,000 years ago, then migrated and displaced other hominins (130,000 - 35,000 y.a). This explains Mitochondria Eve existing in Africa, and justifies why H. Sapiens are so homogenous.
Mixed Model explains that humans displaced & interbred wherever they went.