Later Human EvolutionLater Human Evolution

Later Later Homo: Homo erectusHomo: Homo erectusArchaic Archaic Homo sapiens:Homo sapiens:

Homo antecessorHomo antecessorHomo heidelbergensisHomo heidelbergensisHomo neandertalensisHomo neandertalensis

Homo erectusHomo erectus: Traits: Traits

Homo erectus Homo erectus lived from lived from approximately 2 million to around approximately 2 million to around 400,000 years ago.400,000 years ago.

Homo erectusHomo erectus is a large brained is a large brained species, with adult brains ranging species, with adult brains ranging from 900 to 1200 cc. from 900 to 1200 cc.

TraitsTraits

Were from the neck down almost exactly Were from the neck down almost exactly like modernslike moderns

Had no chin, thick and big brow ridges Had no chin, thick and big brow ridges Bigger teeth than modernsBigger teeth than moderns Males were much bigger than females, but Males were much bigger than females, but

this changes over timethis changes over time More robust bodyMore robust body Body SizeBody Size

male:170cm,66kg male:170cm,66kg female:150cm, 56kgfemale:150cm, 56kg

Height comparisonsHeight comparisons

Acheulian Hand AxesAcheulian Hand Axes

Homo erectusHomo erectus was an accomplished tool was an accomplished tool maker and tool user; hand-axes were widely maker and tool user; hand-axes were widely used in addition to sharp-edged flakes. used in addition to sharp-edged flakes.

The tools of The tools of Homo erectusHomo erectus are the first in are the first in the fossil record to show conscious design the fossil record to show conscious design of any complexity. of any complexity.

Wooden tools and weapons are also Wooden tools and weapons are also assumed to be present in the tool kit of this assumed to be present in the tool kit of this species, but none has been preserved in species, but none has been preserved in the fossil record. the fossil record.

Acheulian Hand AxeAcheulian Hand Axe

Controlled Use of FireControlled Use of Fire

H. erectusH. erectus may have been the first may have been the first species to use and control fire. species to use and control fire.

This milestone in human This milestone in human development occurred 1 to l.5 million development occurred 1 to l.5 million years ago. years ago.

Control of fire may have enabled Control of fire may have enabled humans to move out of Africa and humans to move out of Africa and into colder climates in Europe and into colder climates in Europe and Asia.Asia.

Use of FireUse of Fire

Homo erectusHomo erectus invented fireinvented fire

To cook food, scare To cook food, scare away animals and away animals and travel to colder travel to colder placesplaces

controlled firecontrolled fire

Migrate Out-of-AfricaMigrate Out-of-Africa

The earliest specimens of The earliest specimens of Homo erectusHomo erectus are found in Africa, but, sometime after 1 are found in Africa, but, sometime after 1 million years ago, million years ago, Homo erectusHomo erectus apparently migrated out of Arica. apparently migrated out of Arica.

Tools and remains of this species have Tools and remains of this species have been found widely distributed in Europe been found widely distributed in Europe and Asia.and Asia.

Homo erectusHomo erectus is thus the first human is thus the first human species to migrate out of Africa and adapt species to migrate out of Africa and adapt to a variety of Old World environments. to a variety of Old World environments.

Sites in & out of AfricaSites in & out of Africa

Habitat/MapHabitat/Map

Htttp://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/disp.html

Homo Erectus

Asia (cold)

Australia (hot)

Africa (hot)

Europe (cold)

Important FindImportant Find

Peking ManPeking Man Was found near BeijingWas found near Beijing Name used for the Name used for the

bones of an extinct bones of an extinct hominidhominid

Reconstruction of Reconstruction of Peking man SkullPeking man Skull

Homo Erectus

http://www.inhandmuseum.com/LA/erectus/ergaster.html

Homo ergasterHomo ergaster

By 1.9 million years ago, another lineage of By 1.9 million years ago, another lineage of the genus the genus HomoHomo emerged in Africa. This emerged in Africa. This species was species was Homo ergasterHomo ergaster. .

Many researchers now separate the two into Many researchers now separate the two into distinct species distinct species Homo ergasterHomo ergaster for early for early African "African "Homo erectusHomo erectus", and ", and Homo erectusHomo erectus for for later populations mainly in Asia. later populations mainly in Asia.

Scientists consider Scientists consider H. ergasterH. ergaster as the probable as the probable ancestor of later ancestor of later HomoHomo populations. populations.

VariationVariation

Individual specimens of Individual specimens of Homo erectusHomo erectus vary vary widely but some trends are visible over time. widely but some trends are visible over time.

These artist's reconstructions of three faces These artist's reconstructions of three faces from skulls show variations over a period of from skulls show variations over a period of about a million years. about a million years.

Note the difference Note the difference in the shape of the in the shape of the cranium. On the top, cranium. On the top, H. erectusH. erectus has a long has a long cranium with a cranium with a protruding area of protruding area of bone at the back of bone at the back of the braincase. the braincase.

H. ergasterH. ergaster has a has a more globe-shaped more globe-shaped braincase that lacks braincase that lacks this torus. this torus.

H. erectus

H. ergaster

Homo ergaster: Homo ergaster: WT 15,000 WT 15,000 Narikatome BoyNarikatome Boy

Boy, 12 yearsBoy, 12 years Long legs narrow hips and shouldersLong legs narrow hips and shoulders Vertebrate opening sin spinal cord Vertebrate opening sin spinal cord

smaller than modernssmaller than moderns Brain size large (850-1100)Brain size large (850-1100) Front tooth size increase, back tooth Front tooth size increase, back tooth

decreasedecrease Tall (5-5.5 feet), thick bones.Tall (5-5.5 feet), thick bones. 1.6 mya-200 kya1.6 mya-200 kya

Narikatome BoyNarikatome Boy The nearly full skeleton at the The nearly full skeleton at the

right belonged to a teen-age right belonged to a teen-age boy, 12 or 13, who lived 1.65 boy, 12 or 13, who lived 1.65 years ago near what is now years ago near what is now Lake Turkana in east Africa.Lake Turkana in east Africa.

He was five feet, four inches He was five feet, four inches tall, and his body is tall, and his body is remarkably modern looking.remarkably modern looking.

This is the most complete find This is the most complete find of an ancient human ancestor of an ancient human ancestor yet discovered, and it has yet discovered, and it has provided a wealth of provided a wealth of information.information.

Yet this immature male had Yet this immature male had already surpassed a height of already surpassed a height of five feet at the time of his five feet at the time of his death, and probably would death, and probably would have attained a height of 6 have attained a height of 6 feet and a weight of roughly feet and a weight of roughly 150 lbs.150 lbs.

Archaic Archaic Homo sapiensHomo sapiens

For many years, scientists placed any For many years, scientists placed any problematic specimens displaying mixtures of problematic specimens displaying mixtures of "erectus-like" and "modern" traits into a "erectus-like" and "modern" traits into a confusing category: confusing category: "Archaic" "Archaic" Homo Homo sapienssapiens (basically meaning any (basically meaning any Homo Homo sapiens sapiens that didn't look quite modern). that didn't look quite modern).

Recently, it has been proposed to separate Recently, it has been proposed to separate these individuals into a distinct species. For these individuals into a distinct species. For this purpose, the names this purpose, the names Homo antecessor &Homo antecessor & Homo heidelbergensisHomo heidelbergensis have been assigned. have been assigned.

Homo antecessorHomo antecessor

The species The species Homo antecessorHomo antecessor is another very is another very controversial species designation. The species controversial species designation. The species was designated by J.L. Arsuaga et al. to the was designated by J.L. Arsuaga et al. to the remains of several individuals found at the Gran remains of several individuals found at the Gran Dolina site, Spain. Dolina site, Spain.

The discovery was significant because the The discovery was significant because the remains have been securely dated at over 780 remains have been securely dated at over 780 kyr. This makes the material the earliest known kyr. This makes the material the earliest known European specimens. European specimens.

The find breathed new life into the argument for The find breathed new life into the argument for the validity of the validity of H. heidelbergensisH. heidelbergensis, as well as , as well as creating a whole new species: creating a whole new species: H. antecessorH. antecessor..

Homo antecessor Homo antecessor traitstraits

Has a marked double-arched browridge (like Has a marked double-arched browridge (like later Neanderthals and Chinese erectus). later Neanderthals and Chinese erectus).

An approximate brain size of 1000 cc. An approximate brain size of 1000 cc. Reduced mandibular thickness when Reduced mandibular thickness when

compared to compared to ergasterergaster or early or early erectuserectus. . Has small postcanines that resemble those Has small postcanines that resemble those

of the habilines (of the habilines (habilishabilis and and rudolfensisrudolfensis), but ), but they are still within the they are still within the ergasterergaster//erectuserectus range. range.

Shovel-shaped maxillary incisors (ancestral Shovel-shaped maxillary incisors (ancestral condition). condition).

Gran Dolina Site, SpainGran Dolina Site, Spain The most complete The most complete

specimen is Hominid 3, specimen is Hominid 3, which is also the type which is also the type specimen for specimen for antecessorantecessor. .

This is unusual because This is unusual because Hominid 3 is a 10-year Hominid 3 is a 10-year old, and therefore has old, and therefore has not fully developed its not fully developed its skeletal characteristics. skeletal characteristics.

The specimen was The specimen was chosen because it chosen because it highlighted all the highlighted all the features that the features that the researchers were researchers were attempting to describe attempting to describe as typic of the species. as typic of the species.

Gran Dolina site, SpainGran Dolina site, Spain

Homo heidelbergensisHomo heidelbergensis

Homo heidelbergensisHomo heidelbergensis is the species name is the species name now given to a range of specimens from now given to a range of specimens from about 800,000 years ago to the appearance about 800,000 years ago to the appearance of anatomically modern of anatomically modern Homo sapiensHomo sapiens (the (the species to which we belong). species to which we belong).

The species name was originally proposed The species name was originally proposed for the fossil mandible discovered at Mauer, for the fossil mandible discovered at Mauer, a town near Heidelberg, Germany. It is a a town near Heidelberg, Germany. It is a nearly complete early human mandible that nearly complete early human mandible that is very robustly built, but lacks a chin. is very robustly built, but lacks a chin.

Species:Species: Homo Homo heidelbergensisheidelbergensis

Age:Age: Middle PleistoceneMiddle Pleistocene

Date of Date of Discovery:Discovery: October 21, 1907October 21, 1907

Location:Location: Mauer, GermanyMauer, Germany

Discovered Discovered by:by:

An anonymous An anonymous workmanworkman

This mandible was found by a workman in the Rösch sandpit just north of the village of Mauer near Heidelberg, Germany, in 1907. The workman showed the find to the anatomist O. Schoentensack, who provided the initial description of the specimen. The mandible is complete with only the premolars and first two molars on the left side missing. The molars were recovered separately, although the premolars were lost.

Kabwe SkullKabwe Skull

• The date for this site based on the associated animal fossils found is at least 125,000 years old, and is probably significantly older.

• Some researchers have proposed that Kabwe may be a member of the African population from which all modern humans descended, although this cannot be definitively proven.

Species:Species: Homo heidelbergensisHomo heidelbergensis

Age:Age: 125,000 to 300,000 125,000 to 300,000 yearsyears

Date of Date of DiscoveryDiscovery

::June 17, 1921June 17, 1921

Location:Location: Kabwe, ZambiaKabwe, Zambia

DiscovereDiscovered by:d by: Tom ZwiglaarTom Zwiglaar

The braincase profile is low and slopes back from a large supraorbital torus reminiscent of earlier H. erectus specimens. There is also the remnant of a sagittal keel and an occipital torus at the back of the skull, also recalling H. erectus. However, the face is more modern in appearance (less prognathic, flatter) and the brain size of about 1300 cc. is larger than seen in H. erectus. Thus, this cranium preserves many traits that are reminiscent of earlier H. erectus and hints of more modern traits known later in H. sapiens.

• The cranium shows evidence of disease and wounds that occurred in the lifetime of this individual.

• Ten of the upper teeth have cavities, and dental abscesses of the upper jaw are clearly visible in the upper photograph (above the right incisor/canine) and the middle photograph (above the first molar).

• Additionally, a partially healed wound is visible in the bottom two photographs, above and anterior of the hole for the ear.

• This wound measured roughly a quarter-inch across, and was made by either a piercing instrument or the tooth of a carnivore. Exactly which is unclear

Advanced Acheulian ToolsAdvanced Acheulian Tools

Homo sapiens Homo sapiens neanderthalensisneanderthalensis

Neandertals (ca. 200-32 Neandertals (ca. 200-32 kya)kya) Species restricted to Europe, eastern Species restricted to Europe, eastern

Middle East during height of Ice AgeMiddle East during height of Ice Age Evolved to be specifically cold-adapted:Evolved to be specifically cold-adapted:

Short and stocky body typeShort and stocky body type Large nose (nasal passages for warming air)Large nose (nasal passages for warming air) Barrel chest (also for warming air)Barrel chest (also for warming air) Long, low, thick skull but with large cranial Long, low, thick skull but with large cranial

capacity (1250-1750 cc)capacity (1250-1750 cc) Heavy brow ridgeHeavy brow ridge

Homo sapiens Homo sapiens neanderthalensisneanderthalensis

Neandertals (ca. 200-32 Neandertals (ca. 200-32 kya)kya)

NeandertalNeandertal

Not the “Cave Men” they Not the “Cave Men” they were made out to be!were made out to be!

First to bury deadFirst to bury dead First to create art on rocks and boneFirst to create art on rocks and bone Elaborate Stone and Bone Tool Elaborate Stone and Bone Tool

technologytechnology Mousterian toolsMousterian tools

Some degree of altruismSome degree of altruism Old Man of La ChapelleOld Man of La Chapelle Individual from ShanidarIndividual from Shanidar

Mousterian Tools: Period of Mousterian Tools: Period of stone tools associated with stone tools associated with

NeandertalsNeandertals

Burial at Tabun, Mt. Carmel, Burial at Tabun, Mt. Carmel, IsraelIsrael

Shanidar 1: Shanidar 1: Eye Socket crushed-blinded in that Eye Socket crushed-blinded in that eyeeye

““Old Man” of La-ChapelleOld Man” of La-Chapelle

Modern vs. NeandertalModern vs. Neandertal