Lec 14

Question 1

Human appearance theories?

Answer 1

1. Multi-regional hypothesis: gradual transformation into modern humans. No credibility
2. Recent African Origin: Evolution through Out of Africa process, leading genetic optimization (erectus, neanderthals)

• Oldest fossil is african, being 5 times older than EU.

Question 2

Africa?

Answer 2

1. gene versions: africa > other places
2. dominant source of novel genes + gene combos
3. modern humans apart from archaic predecessors

Question 3

Rapid expansion = what?

Answer 3

• led to observed loss of genetic diversity the farther the distance from Africa
• mirrored by loss of phenotypic variability

Question 4

Middle stone age?

Answer 4

• severe droughts = much of Africa uninhabitable, leading to relocation to woodland Refugia
• verge of extinction (bottleneck), precedes dispersal (4k survivors) - late pleistocene

Question 5

Blade production?

Answer 5

• systemically produced during MSA, indicators of modernity
• Kathu Pan 1: S. Africa - Kenya
  Early blade tech - 500kya, special to Africa?

Question 6

Core tech?

Answer 6

1. Nubian types
2. Gademotta, Ethiopia, earliest projectiles, 280kya
3. Stillbay complex predates 77kya

Question 7

Katanda, DRC

Answer 7

Western Rift
- Oldest harpoon tech in the world

Question 8

Blombos Cave (+ nearby)

Answer 8

1. Bone Awls
   2.bifacial spear points
2. incised, ochre pieces, 77bp
3. > 8k pieces of ochre
4. ochre is engraved
5. used for symbolic purposes
6. modern symbolism present 30kya before any appeared in EU.