Archaic Homo Sapiens & Neandertals Flashcards
who are the Middle Pleistocene hominins
H. antecessor, H. heidelbergensis, H. rhodesiensis
transitional nature of these groups betweenH. erectus & later species
middle pleistocene hominins
traits
primitive
- long, low skull
- thick cranial bones
- no chin
- postcranial skeleton more robust than modern humans
Middle Pleistocene hominins
traits
derived
- large cc (1200-1300)
- higher forehead
- arched, double brow ridges
- molar size deceased
what was found at
Gran Dolina?
Homo antecessor
850-950 kya
traits:
- oldowan tools
- cutmarks on bones (cannabilism?)
- facial traits similar to H. sp
- dental traits similar to Neand.
evolutionary relationships are not clear
what was found at
Sima de los Huesos
Homo heidelbergensis
Spain, 400 kya
traits:
- clear relationship w/Neand > probably direct ancestors
- carnivores & humans; at least 28 individuals
- cause of accumulation in “pit of bones” unclear
- different regions of Europe
what was found at
Sima del Elefant?
Homo sp. > first Europeans
- species assignment not clear
- oldowan artfifacts
- hominin remains
Middle Stone Age/Paleolithic
tool use
T: 300-50kya
The Levallois Technique
middle pleistocene hominins & neand.
required more planning than Ach tools
evidence for
bug game hunting
using tools
bones of large animals associated with Ach. tools
humans may have stampeded large animals over the edge and butchered carcasses
collaborative hunting effort
environmental context during Middle/Upper Pleistocene
even colder, even drier
era of Neandertals
(Middle &) Upper Pleistocence
H. neanderthalensis
L: Europe & Western Africa
T: 150 - 40 kya
- one of the first hominin fossils ever found –> Neander Valley, Germany 1865
- have remains (now) of 100+
- often found in/near cave sites
body type differences Neandertals vs Modern human
N: robust, heavy muscled, barrel-shaped rib cage, thick leg bones
H: more gracile bodies
Late Stone Age/Upper Paleolithic
tool use
Aurignacian (mode 4)
blade based tech
Neandertal subsistence
hafted weapons, competent hunting
* animal remains @ sites characterized by prey
* healthy adults abundant in remains
* cut-marked bones
* plants!
no clear evidence of permanent shelters
Neandertal burials
- some evidence they buried dead
- not clear of what nature, religious?
- “flower burial” > pollen
