Hominin
Evolution
CONTINUED
Learning Objectives
1. Describe the anatomical features of the Nariokotome boy
2. Identify the geographical areas where H. erectus fossils have
been found, and the first fossil site outside of Africa.
3. Describe the unique anatomical features of the
Neanderthals.
4. Describe the latest findings in DNA analysis of Neanderthals
5. Identify the anatomical features of Homo sapiens
6. Understand the debate concerning the taxonomic placement
of the 5-year old child from Europe.
Homo erectus
Homo erectus (“upright
man”)
Widely distributed species:
◦1st to _______________
◦Towards:________________
◦Oldest specimens of this species
are found in ___________
◦___________ geographical
regions
Distribution of H. erectus Sites
Nariokotome Boy (KNM-WT 1500)
Location: Nariokotome, Africa
Time period: ___________
_________________________
Estimated adult height: ___________
Nariokotome Boy
(KNM-WT 1500)
‘Modern-like’
◦ ________________
◦ Why is this important?
Expansion ____________
_________________
◦ What areas of the body provide information
on growth & development?
Beijing, China:
Zhoukoudian Cave
(Dragon Bone Hill)
40 M/F adults and children
◦ ________________________
670,000-410,000 years old
◦ _______________________
◦ Longest history of visitation
Exhibit typical ____________________
◦ Few postcranial fossils found
Beijing, China:
Zhoukoudian Cave
(Dragon Bone Hill)
Cultural remains:
◦ ______________________
◦ Diet: ___________________
◦ Harsh winters: ___________
Beijing, China:
Zhoukoudian Cave
(Dragon Bone Hill)
Evidence for _____________
◦ _____________ animal bone, stone tools, plants, ash
along with bird eggs and seeds
◦ Suggest: ____________________
Homo erectus in Europe:
Gran Dolina
Found the following:
◦ ______________
◦ ______________
◦ _______________
Evidence for ________________________
Most complete skull – __________
◦ Facial bones, mandible, teeth
Archaic Homo
sapiens
Archaic Homo sapiens
Who are they?
Specimens displaying mixtures of _____________ and
___________________
Proposed to separate these individuals into a distinct
species.
◦ Homo antecessor (non-Africa)
◦ Homo heidelbergensis (Africa)
We are going to keep Archaic Homo sapiens
Archaic Homo sapiens
Exhibit several ________________________
BUT also possess characteristics that are __________
_________________________________________
◦ Example of ____________________
Spans three geographical areas ___________________
◦ These areas are the same as ________
◦
and _______________
Neanderthals
Where in the World are Neanderthals?
Neanderthals
Lived during the last major ice age
◦ Anatomical features ___________
____________________________
Features:
◦ 1.
◦ 2.
◦ 3.
◦ 4.
◦ 5.
Asia – Israel Kebara
 Partial skeleton (60,000ya)
 ____________________
 Even without cranium & legs,
_________________________
 What can we tell from the torso?
 ____________
 __________________
Asia – Israel - Kebara
Hyoid
◦ Variation in morphology of the human hyoid is ________
◦ Kebara hyoid – __________________
◦ What does this imply?
◦ Morphology
◦ Language
Europe – La Chapelle-aux-Saints
 Typical Neanderthal morphology
 Evidence of ______
_________________
Europe – La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Evidence of ____________
◦ Body position = ________
Position suggests that _____
was taken when burying the
body
◦ ______________________
Flexed Position
Culture of Neanderthals
Speech
◦ Probably were capable of _____________
◦ Evidence based on: hyoid bone (found at Kebara)
◦ What else do we know?
◦ What did the movie say?
◦ __________
Anatomically
Modern Humans
(AMHs)
_________
______________________
_____________
__________
Africa – Ethiopia
– Herto
Herto = Earliest AMH
______________ = 160,000-154,000
Characteristics are essentially
modern
Cranium and dental remains
found:
◦ ________________
◦ ___________________
Africa – Ethiopia
– Herto
Europe ––Abrigo do Lagar Velho
24,500ya
____________________
Associated with:
◦ 1.
◦ 2.
Europe ––Abrigo do
Lagar Velho
Anatomically a __________ of
_________________ and
_______________features
◦ __________________:
regional Neanderthals and
early modern humans