Emergence of genus Homo

Question 1

HOMO compared to Australopithecus

traits

Answer 1

• increased cranium cap. (50%)
• reduction in teeth size, more parabolic dental arcade, thinner enamel
• reduced prog.
• similar body sizes
• associated w/ stone tools

Question 2

Homo habilis

OH 24

Answer 2

• smaller brain size, 612 cc
• broader upper face than middle face
• smaller molars
• less robust mandible
• more australopith like limb proportions
• smaller brain, more human likfe face & teeth

Question 3

Homo rudolfensis

KNM ER 1470

Answer 3

• larger brain size, 775 cc
• Australopith-like broad midface
• rel. large molar teeth
• well-developed mandible for chewing
• larger brain

Question 4

one species or two - Homo habilis vs Homo rudolfensis

Answer 4

lots of difference - too much to account for in just one species; sometimes found at same site though

Question 5

Oldowan Tool Industry

characteristics

Answer 5

• cores, flakes, hammerstones
• deliberate strikes on stones
• used for: access animal carcasses, break bones/crack shells
• plant processing / woodworking

Early Stone Age / Lower Paleolithic
2.6 mya - 200 kya

Question 6

possible early evidence of tool use

not sure???

Answer 6

1. Swartkrans, South Africa
   1.8 - 1 mya
   uses: digging tools (bone & horn cores)
2. Bouri, Ethiopia
   2.5 mya
   percussion & cutmarks on bones but no tools found

Question 7

earliest use of tool use

confirmed

Answer 7

1. Dikkia, Ethiopia
   - 3.39 mya
   - cutmarked bones
   - evidence that stone tool assisted w/ meat consumption
2. Lomekwi, Kenya
   - crudely made
   - well before earliest Homo
   - no associated hominin fossils

Question 8

humans as first tool makers

shared with chimps

Answer 8

nut cracking, stone tools, stone transport (< 2 km), stone selectivity, small game hunting

Question 9

humans as first tool makers

unique hominin traits

Answer 9

stone transport (> 10 km), stone tool manufacture, using tools to make tools, plant processing, large game acquisition

earlier hominins may have used tools that do not have any trace in fossil record

Question 10

Homo naledi

Answer 10

L: South Africa
T: 335 - 236 kya
- largest collection of single species from Africa discovered (fossils from 15 ppl)

Question 11

H. naledi traits

A. like

Answer 11

small braincase
ribcage, shoulders
curved fingers

Question 12

H. naledi traits

H. like

Answer 12

larger body
human-like feet
small molars