Prehistoric People

Prehistoric People

Quick lecture on evolution (12:32)

Early human archaeological sites. Archaeological discoveries have traced the origin of the human species to West Africa. From there early humans migrated to other parts of the world. Evidence shows that by 40,000 B.C. a later and more developed human being lived in Western Europe. The principal archaeological sites in that area are identified by colored dots.

The Evolution of the Genus Homo

Over time, our ancient ancestors in the genus Homo develop tools, hunt, utilize fire, and cook. The final piece of the puzzle, speech, transforms our distant relatives into modern Homo sapiens.

Evolution of the genus homo

Homo naledi

South Africa• Newest discovery of the homo genus

• Where Lived: Eastern and Southern AfricaThe species is characterized by a body mass

and stature similar to small-bodied human populations, a smaller endo-cranial volume similar to Australopithecus, and a skull shape similar to early Homo species. The skeletal anatomy combines primitive features known from australopithecines with features known from early hominids. The fossils have not yet been dated.

Homo habilisKenya, Tanzania

• Nickname: Handy Man

• Where Lived: Eastern and Southern Africa

• When Lived: 2.4 million to 1.4 million years agoThis species, one of the earliest members of the genus Homo, has a slightly larger braincase and smaller face and teeth than in Australopithecus or older homind species. But it still retains some ape-like features.

Homo erectusRepublic of Georgia, Kenya

• Where Lived: Northern, Eastern, and Southern Africa; Western Asia (Dmanisi, Republic of Georgia); East Asia (China and Indonesia)

• When Lived: Between about 1.89 million and 143,000 years ago

Early African Homo erectus fossils are the oldest known early humans to have possessed modern human-like body proportions with relatively elongated legs and shorter arms compared to the size of the torso.

https://Studying the Homo erectus (2:09)

Homo floresiensis

Asia (Indonesia)•Nicknamed: The Hobbit•When Lived: About 95,000 – 17,000 years ago

Remains of the most recently discovered early human species, Homo floresiensis (nicknamed ‘Hobbit’), have been found between 95,000 and 17,000 years ago on the Island of Flores, Indonesia. H. floresiensis individuals stood approximately 3 feet 6 inches tall, had tiny brains, large teeth for their small size, shrugged-forward shoulders, no chins, receding foreheads, and relatively large feet due to their short legs.

Homo floresiensis: The Hobbit

Homo heidelbergensisGermany, France, Greece, Zambia•Where Lived: Europe; possibly Asia (China); Africa (eastern and southern)•When Lived: About 700,000 to 200,000 years ago

This early human species had a very large browridge, and a larger braincase and flatter face than older early human species. It was first early human species to live in colder climates; their short, wide bodies were likely an adaptation to conserving heat.

http://BBC Walking with Cavemen

Homo heidelbergensisHomo-Genus

Ergaster (Europe) Homo Erectus (Asia) Heidelbergensis

Neanderthalensis Archaic Humans

Neanderthals DNA in humans today

Homo neanderthalensisIsrael, Belgium, Iraq, France

• Nickname: Neanderthal•Where Lived: Europe and southwestern to central Asia•When Lived: About 200,000 - 40,000 years ago

Neanderthals are our closest extinct human relative. Some defining features of their skulls include the large middle part of the face, angled cheek bones, and a huge nose for humidifying and warming cold, dry air. Their bodies were shorter and stockier than ours, another adaptation to living in cold environments.

Lifestyles of Neanderthals

Homo sapiensNorthern Africa, Southern Asia,

Europe• Where Lived: Evolved in Africa,

now worldwide

• When Lived: About 200,000 years ago to present

The species that you and all other living human beings on this planet belong to is Homo sapiens. During a time of dramatic climate change 200,000 years ago, Homo sapiens evolved in Africa.