chapter 8 homo erectus and the emergence of hunting and gathering
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 8
Homo erectus and the Emergence of Hunting and Gathering
Chapter Outline
Who Was Homo erectus? What were the cultural capabilities of
Homo erectus? What were the consequences of Homo
erectus’ improved abilities to adapt through culture?
Who Was Homo erectus?
The direct descendant of early members of the genus Homo.
Populations of Homo erectus were widespread between about 1.8 million and 400,000 y.a.
Cultural Capabilities of Homo erectus
Tools were better made, and there was a greater variety of tool types.
Tool kits varied regionally. Developed the use of fire, and improved
organizational skills.
Names For Homo erectus Fossils
Homo antecessor - Coined for the earliest fossils from Spain; antecessor is Latin for “explorer” or “pioneer.”
Homo heidelbergensis - Coined for the Mauer jaw but now used for all European fossils from about 500,000 y.a. until the appearance of the Neandertals.
Sites of Homo erectus Remains
H. habilis and H. erectus
If one evolved from the other, at some point the full range of variation included individuals that resembled H. habilis, whereas others were taking on the appearance of H. erectus.
Homo erectus: Physical Characteristics
Skeleton differs only subtly from that of modern humans.
Heavily muscled, rib cage conical rather than barrel-shaped, and narrower hips.
Stature seems to have been in modern range.
Homo erectus: Physical Characteristics
Long legs and short toes made for effective long-distance walking.
Notably larger than Homo habilis, displayed significantly less sexual dimorphism.
Cranial capacity ranged from 700 to 1,225 cubic centimeters.
Homo erectus: Physical Characteristics Head was long and narrow with width
greater than height. Shape of the inside of the braincase
showed near modern development of the brain.
Sloping forehead and receding chin. Powerful jaws with large teeth, a
protruding mouth, and huge neck muscles.
Acheulean Tools
10% of the shaped tools in a typical Acheulean assemblage are the forms drawn here.
Homo erectus’ Ability to Cross Open water Evidenced by the presence of stone tools on
the Indonesian island Flores.
Regions of the Human Brain
Hypoglossal Canal
Homo erectus: Culture
Refinement of stone tool making technology.
Fire was used for protection, warmth and cooking.
Improved organization and planning abilities.
Acheulean Tool Making
Hand axe: a teardrop-shaped tool pointed at one end with a sharp cutting edge all around.
In East Africa, the earliest hand axes are about 1.6 million years old.
Shapes of hand axes and other Acheulean tools are more standardized, reflecting preconceived designs.
Use of Fire
Firecracked basalt cobbles were found with artifacts and bones in a 700,000-year-old rock shelter in Thailand.
The rocks were not native to the shelter and were probably carried in by hominines.
The bones in the hearth show evidence of butchering and burning.
Aspects of Homo erectus Culture
Increasingly sophisticated shelter construction.
Use of clothing for warmth. Learning to hunt and organizing hunt
parties. Developed symbolic life.