genetic evidence and fossil record Flashcards
(23 cards)
Name 3 Australopithecus species and their famous fossils.
A. afarensis: Lucy, Laetoli footprints
A. africanus: Taung Child, Mrs Ples, Little Foot
A. sediba: Karabo
Which Australopithecus species may link to Homo?
sediba – transitional species.
How is Paranthropus robustus different?
More robust, strong build. Only found in South Africa.
What tools are linked to which Homo species?
Oldowan tools: H. habilis
Hand axes: H. erectus
Levallois flakes & microliths: H. sapiens
What’s the difference between apes and humans in tool use?
Apes use tools, humans make tools.
What is the “Out of Africa” hypothesis?
Modern humans originated in Africa and spread out globally about 70,000 years ago.
What genetic evidence supports this?
mtDNA shows the most ancient human lineages are in Africa.
What does the fossil record show?
Earliest fossils of all hominin genera are found in Africa.
Where were the oldest H. sapiens fossils found?
Near Omo River, Ethiopia (about 195,000 years ago).
What is the Cradle of Humankind?
World Heritage Site in Gauteng, SA, with many hominin fossils.
Name 3 famous fossils from the Cradle.
Mrs Ples (A. africanus)
Little Foot
Homo naledi (1,550 fossils)
Which Australopithecus species may link to Homo?
sediba – transitional species.
How is Paranthropus robustus different?
More robust, strong build. Only found in South Africa.
What tools are linked to which Homo species?
Oldowan tools: H. habilis
Hand axes: H. erectus
Levallois flakes & microliths: H. sapiens
What’s the difference between apes and humans in tool use?
Apes use tools, humans make tools.
What is the “Out of Africa” hypothesis?
Modern humans originated in Africa and spread out globally about 70,000 years ago.
What genetic evidence supports this?
mtDNA shows the most ancient human lineages are in Africa.
What does the fossil record show?
Earliest fossils of all hominin genera are found in Africa.
Where were the oldest H. sapiens fossils found?
Near Omo River, Ethiopia (about 195,000 years ago).
What does the fossil record show?
Earliest fossils of all hominin genera are found in Africa.
What is the Cradle of Humankind?
A World Heritage Site in Gauteng, SA, with many hominin fossils.
Name 3 famous fossils from the Cradle.
Mrs Ples (A. africanus)
Little Foot
Homo naledi (1,550 fossils)
