FINAL EXAM Study Guide Flashcards
Characteristics of Homo
Plio-Pleistocene genus of hominin historically defined by:
- relatively larger brain
- loss of prognathism
- derived limb proportions
- larger stature
- less dimorphism
- smaller molars and premolars
- smaller, more delicately built faces
- parabolic palate (not U-shaped)
- associated with stone tool technology
(Oldest fossils assigned to the genus Homo are about 3 Ma)
Cranial capacity of Homo
600 cc (bigger than ape-sized) to 800 cc
- species in the genus Homo have larger cranial capacities than australopiths
- OH 24 est. 590 cc
- KNM-ER 1813 est. 500 cc
- cranial capacity of earliest Homo as large as 800 cc
- KNM-ER 1470 est. 775 cc
Dentition (dental arcade shape) of Homo
More parabolic (NOT primitive U-shaped)
-shorter, wider arch
-Reduced subnasal prognathism is related to the change in tooth and jaw structure
Limb proportions of Homo
More derived
- relatively long legs, shorter arms
A lot of what we know about early Homo body proportions come from the Homo erectus partial skeleton “Nariokotome Boy”
- larger-bodied (over five feet and over 100 lbs)
Human-like proportions of arms and legs
- shortened forearms
- elongated femora and tibiae
- shoulder like modern humans
What is the oldest evidence for human body proportions (relatively long legs, derived upper arm hand and shoulder morphology)
More modern body proportions first appear at around 1.8–1.5 Ma, with Homo ergaster (early African Homo erectus), represented by the Nariokotome skeleton KNM-WT 15000, in which the legs were considerably longer in relation to the trunk than they are in human adults, although this skeleton represents an adolescent
What is the oldest stone tool industry proposed? How old is it? Which hominin group would that be associated with?
2.5 Ma The Oldowan Lithic Industry (until recently) was seen as the oldest and simplest stone tool technology
- few flakes from unprepared core
- choppers
- mostly unifacial
> 2.5 - 1.76 Ma
Lokalalei, Kenya at 2.3 Ma
Gona, Ethiopia at 2.5 Ma
Even at old sites, the flaking is well-executed
Oldowan tools were probably used for a variety of applications:
- processing plant material
- extracting marrow (scavenging)
- cutting meat (scavenging or maybe hunting)
*Associated with Homo habilis!
(*The Lomekwian Industry was recently proposed; hitting stones together probably in Australopithecus…)
Oldowan
The Oldowan Lithic Industry was seen as the oldest and simplest stone tool technology
- few flakes from unprepared core
- choppers
- mostly unifacial
Associated with Homo habilis
Acheulean
(1.8 Ma) Beginning 1.76 Ma Acheulean appears
The Acheulean is defined by:
- handaxes present
- bifacial flaking
- shaped objects
Hunting or scavenging?
- cut marks superimposed over tooth marks
- use wear analysis: primary use is processing vegetal materials plant foods
More carcasses than Oldowan sites
- more success at scavenging
Raw material transport
How to the two (O an A) lithic industries differ? Which hominin group are each associated with?
The Oldowan lithic industry is characterized by simple stone tools, such as choppers and scrapers, while the Acheulean industry is known for more complex tools like handaxes and cleavers. Additionally, the Acheulean industry is associated with Homo erectus, while the Oldowan industry is associated with earlier hominins like Homo habilis
When did hominins first leave Africa? Where did they go?
Homo erectus is the oldest hominin species to be found outside of Africa
When? This happened at 1.8 Ma
Where? Asia and Europe
How old is the oldest convincing evidence of fire in the archaeological record?
Schoningen is an Archaeological site in Germany dated to ca. 400 ka
- this amazing site preserves long wooden spears
- butchered horses indicate hunting likely took place
- some researchers consider this site to preserve some of the earliest evidence of fire (charcoal, charred wooden tools, heated flints, etc. BUT the evidence for hearths is not clear)
Describe how archaeologists and paleoanthropologist can study the emergence of hunting vs. scavenging in hominins
How complete are the animal carcasses found at archaeological sites?
Are the bones of the carcasses covered with carnivore tooth marks? Stone tool cut marks?
How do isotopes help us identify meat eating?
- Nitrogen isotopes are helpful for understanding trophic level
Classic neanderthal features (describe two of them and describe how they are related to the Accretion Model)
Taxonomically distinguished by
- long, low braincase
- face projecting along midline (receding zygomatics)
- double-arched brow ridges
- large nasal aperture
- suprainiac fossa
- occipital bun
- “en bombe” shape
- no canine fossa
- no chin
- retromolar space
- morphology of the inner ear
Accretion Model: proposes that the features accumulated over a long period of time; therefore, all of those features would not be present in the earliest Neanderthals
- earliest ancestral populations over 400 ka show a few of these features but not all of them
HOW were Neanderthals ADAPTED to live in COLD climates? (also include behavioral adaptations)
Occupied Europe during glacials and interglacials
Characteristics of post cranium
- difference in overall stockiness
- adaptation to cold environments include thermoregulation and body’s volume:surface area ratio
- body proportions that include broad trunk and short distal limb
Neanderthals had mastered fire
- used to heat flint
- hardening spear points
- create adhesive
- warm themselves
- cook food
- ward of predators
- hunt (in the dark)
What kinds of tools did Neanderthals use?
Formidable hunters, using stone-tipped wooden spears, lissoirs to process animal hides, stone tools held together by multi-component adhesive, etc. to hunt bigger animals, such as the woolly mammoth????
