Early Human CultureEarly Human Culture

Homo habilisHomo habilisHomo rudolphensisHomo rudolphensis

Homo erectusHomo erectusHomo ergasterHomo ergaster

Evolution of HumansEvolution of Humans

Homo habilisHomo habilis (ca. 2.5-1.6 mya) (ca. 2.5-1.6 mya)

H. habilis findsH. habilis finds Homo habilisHomo habilis was first discovered in 1959 in the was first discovered in 1959 in the

Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. A nearly complete skull of A nearly complete skull of H. habilisH. habilis was discovered in was discovered in

1972 at Koobi Fora on the shores of Lake Turkana in 1972 at Koobi Fora on the shores of Lake Turkana in Kenya. Its age is estimated at 1.8 million years and its Kenya. Its age is estimated at 1.8 million years and its brain capacity at 800 cc. brain capacity at 800 cc.

Other Other H. habilisH. habilis remains have since been discovered at remains have since been discovered at Olduvai Gorge. There is considerable variation among Olduvai Gorge. There is considerable variation among the specimens from this era found thus far. the specimens from this era found thus far.

Some anthropologists argue that the variations appear to Some anthropologists argue that the variations appear to indicate that several separate species of humans existed indicate that several separate species of humans existed and competed at the same time in east Africa; other and competed at the same time in east Africa; other scientists lump all the individuals together in a single scientists lump all the individuals together in a single species. species.

Species: Homo habilis

Age: 1.75 million years

Date of Discovery:

November 4, 1960

Location:Olduvai Gorge,

Tanzania

Discovered by: Jonathan Leakey

OH 7 (Type specimen)OH 7 (Type specimen)

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/oh7.html

H. habilisH. habilis finds finds

Olduvai Gorge SitesOlduvai Gorge Sites

Homo habilisHomo habilis

Brain size much bigger than Aus. (500-800)Brain size much bigger than Aus. (500-800) Teeth smaller, thinner enamel, more parabolic Teeth smaller, thinner enamel, more parabolic

dental arcade.dental arcade. Skulls rounder, less prognathic, jaw muscles Skulls rounder, less prognathic, jaw muscles

reduced.reduced. East and South Africa, same time as robusts.East and South Africa, same time as robusts. Handyman, associated with Pebble choppers.Handyman, associated with Pebble choppers.

KNM ER 1813 KNM ER 1813

Species: Homo habilis

Age: 1.9 million years

Cranial Capacity 510cc

Date of Discovery: 1973

Location: Koobi Fora, Kenya

Discovered by: Kamoya Kimeu

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/ER1813.html

KNM ER 1470KNM ER 1470

Species: Homo rudolfensis

Age: 1.8 million years

Cranial capacity 775cc

Date of Discovery:

August 1972

Location: Koobi Fora, Kenya

Discovered by: Bernard Ngeneo

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/er1470.html

hablishablis vs. vs. rudolphensisrudolphensis

http://www.mnh.si.edu/anthro/humanorigins/ha/alt_tree2.html

First Stone Tools:First Stone Tools:Oldowan Pebble ChoppersOldowan Pebble Choppers

Oldowan Tool VarietyOldowan Tool Variety

OLDOWAN TOOLS (left to right): end chopper, heavy-duty scraper, spheroid hammer stone (Olduvai Gorge); flake chopper (Gadeb); bone point, horn core tool or digger (Swartkrans) http://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/stones.html

Tool TechnologyTool Technology

Oldowan Pebble ChoppersOldowan Pebble Choppers rounded pebblesrounded pebbles portions broken to form sharp edgeportions broken to form sharp edge flakes used for butcheringflakes used for butchering Bone points and horn coresBone points and horn cores

These crude hand axes and stone flakes could have been manufactured as needed or as opportunity arose. The fracture lines of stones create a sharp cutting surface capable of butchering fairly large animals. The photo above right shows a modern anthropologist skinning a calf with a stone tool made just as ancient Homo habilis would have done.

EnvironmentEnvironment The background of the The background of the

photo shows the kind of photo shows the kind of environment in which this environment in which this earliest-known human earliest-known human species lived--open bush species lived--open bush and savannah country in and savannah country in east Africa. east Africa.

This must have been a This must have been a very challenging very challenging environment, filled with environment, filled with large predators. large predators.

?

BehaviorBehavior

Meat eatingMeat eating Home base, food sharing, sexual division Home base, food sharing, sexual division

of labor.of labor. Archaeological evidenceArchaeological evidence

Animal bones and stone tools at sites Animal bones and stone tools at sites (Olduvai)(Olduvai)

Hunting or Scavenging?Hunting or Scavenging?

"Hunting Hypothesis""Hunting Hypothesis" One widely held view of human development has held One widely held view of human development has held

that hunting as an activity was the chief driver of that hunting as an activity was the chief driver of evolutionary change in early humans, as it would have evolutionary change in early humans, as it would have selected for for certain kinds of intelligence, coordination, selected for for certain kinds of intelligence, coordination, and aggressive behavior and aggressive behavior

Was Was Homo habilisHomo habilis a hunter of large game and a a hunter of large game and a successful competitor with the great predators of Africa--successful competitor with the great predators of Africa--lions, leopards, hyenas? Or was this species an lions, leopards, hyenas? Or was this species an opportunistic taker of small game and a scavenger?opportunistic taker of small game and a scavenger?

Present evidence cannot answer the question, but a Present evidence cannot answer the question, but a scavenging role seems more likely.scavenging role seems more likely.

Homo erectusHomo erectus: Traits: Traits Homo erectusHomo erectus lived from approximately 2 lived from approximately 2

million to around 400,000 years ago.million to around 400,000 years ago. Homo erectusHomo erectus is a large brained species, with is a large brained species, with

adult brains ranging from 900 to 1200 cc. adult brains ranging from 900 to 1200 cc. This size range means that the larger brained This size range means that the larger brained

individuals of this species exhibit a fifty-percent individuals of this species exhibit a fifty-percent increase in brain size over the older increase in brain size over the older Homo habilisHomo habilis. .

The largest brain sizes of The largest brain sizes of H. erectusH. erectus fall within the fall within the range of modern humans, although the range of modern humans, although the H. erectusH. erectus brain is configured somewhat differently than our own. brain is configured somewhat differently than our own.

TraitsTraits

Were from the neck down almost exactly like Were from the neck down almost exactly like modernsmoderns

Had no chin, thick and big brow ridges Had no chin, thick and big brow ridges Bigger teeth than modernsBigger teeth than moderns Males were much bigger than females, but this Males were much bigger than females, but this

changes over timechanges over time More robust bodyMore robust body Body SizeBody Size

male:170cm,66kg male:170cm,66kg female:150cm, 56kgfemale:150cm, 56kg

Height comparisonsHeight comparisons

Acheulian Hand AxesAcheulian Hand Axes

Homo erectusHomo erectus was an accomplished tool maker was an accomplished tool maker and tool user; hand-axes were widely used in and tool user; hand-axes were widely used in addition to sharp-edged flakes. addition to sharp-edged flakes.

The tools of The tools of Homo erectusHomo erectus are the first in the are the first in the fossil record to show conscious design of any fossil record to show conscious design of any complexity. complexity.

Wooden tools and weapons are also assumed to Wooden tools and weapons are also assumed to be present in the tool kit of this species, but be present in the tool kit of this species, but none has been preserved in the fossil record. none has been preserved in the fossil record.

Acheulian InnovationsAcheulian Innovations

The key innovations are The key innovations are (1) the shaping of an entire stone to a stereotyped (1) the shaping of an entire stone to a stereotyped

tool form, and tool form, and (2) chipping the stone from both sides to produce a (2) chipping the stone from both sides to produce a

symmetrical (bifacial) cutting edge. symmetrical (bifacial) cutting edge.

Manufacture shifted from flakes struck from a Manufacture shifted from flakes struck from a stone core to shaping a more massive tool by stone core to shaping a more massive tool by careful repetitive flaking. careful repetitive flaking.

The most common tool materials were quartzite, The most common tool materials were quartzite, glassy lava, chert and flint. glassy lava, chert and flint.

http://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/stones.html

Acheulian Hand AxeAcheulian Hand Axe

ACHEULEAN TOOLS (left to right): cleaver stone (Bihorei oest, France); lanceolate hand ax (Briqueterie, France); large hand ax (Olduvai Gorge).

http://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/stones.html

Controlled Use of FireControlled Use of Fire

H. erectusH. erectus may have been the first may have been the first species to use and control fire. species to use and control fire.

This milestone in human development This milestone in human development occurred 1 to 1.5 million years ago. occurred 1 to 1.5 million years ago.

Control of fire may have enabled humans Control of fire may have enabled humans to move out of Africa and into colder to move out of Africa and into colder climates in Europe and Asia.climates in Europe and Asia.

Use of FireUse of Fire

Homo erectusHomo erectus invented fireinvented fire

To cook food, scare To cook food, scare away animals and away animals and travel to colder placestravel to colder places

controlled firecontrolled fire

Migrate Out-of-AfricaMigrate Out-of-Africa

The earliest specimens of The earliest specimens of Homo erectusHomo erectus are are found in Africa, but, sometime after 1 million found in Africa, but, sometime after 1 million years ago, years ago, Homo erectusHomo erectus apparently migrated apparently migrated out of Arica. out of Arica.

Tools and remains of this species have been Tools and remains of this species have been found widely distributed in Europe and Asia.found widely distributed in Europe and Asia.

Homo erectusHomo erectus is thus the first human species to is thus the first human species to migrate out of Africa and adapt to a variety of migrate out of Africa and adapt to a variety of Old World environments. Old World environments.

http://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/disp.html

Olorgesailie, KenyaOlorgesailie, Kenya This Acheulean site is located about 90 kilometers south-This Acheulean site is located about 90 kilometers south-

west of Nairobi on the road to Magadi. west of Nairobi on the road to Magadi. The site of Olorgesailie, donated to the Kenyan The site of Olorgesailie, donated to the Kenyan

Government by the Maasai community, covers an area Government by the Maasai community, covers an area of 52 acres. of 52 acres.

First discovered by Mary Leakey in 1942, this site was First discovered by Mary Leakey in 1942, this site was excavated continuously between 1942 and 1947. The excavated continuously between 1942 and 1947. The area continues to be under investigation to this date, with area continues to be under investigation to this date, with a team from the Smithsonian Institution, USA, making a team from the Smithsonian Institution, USA, making annual surveys and excavations. annual surveys and excavations.

Olorgesailie is the largest of the National Museums' Olorgesailie is the largest of the National Museums' prehistoric sites, and is characterized by prehistoric sites, and is characterized by in situin situ displays displays of prehistoric materials, including numerous hand axes of prehistoric materials, including numerous hand axes and fossilized skeletons of extinct species of elephant and fossilized skeletons of extinct species of elephant and a hippopotamus. and a hippopotamus.

A view of the Catwalk A view of the Catwalk Site shows a jumble of Site shows a jumble of stone tools left by our stone tools left by our ancestors, buried by ancestors, buried by the sediments of a the sediments of a local stream channel local stream channel nearly 900,000 years nearly 900,000 years ago, and then re-ago, and then re-exposed to the exposed to the elements by recent elements by recent erosion. These areas erosion. These areas of erosion allow us to of erosion allow us to find the actual layer of find the actual layer of burial in the nearby burial in the nearby hillside. hillside.

Ambrona and TorralbaAmbrona and Torralba At At AmbronaAmbrona and and TorralbaTorralba in central Spain, in central Spain,

bands of hunters drove elephants into swamps, bands of hunters drove elephants into swamps, killed the mired animals, and butchered them killed the mired animals, and butchered them where they lay. where they lay.

Similar kill sites have come from eastern and Similar kill sites have come from eastern and southern Africa, but we can be sure that wild southern Africa, but we can be sure that wild plant foods were still of great importance in the plant foods were still of great importance in the diet. diet.

This site (and the nearby site of Ambrona) have This site (and the nearby site of Ambrona) have been proposed as evidence of coordinated been proposed as evidence of coordinated hunting behavior by Acheulean people between hunting behavior by Acheulean people between 400,000 and 200,000 years old (pollen evidence 400,000 and 200,000 years old (pollen evidence suggests 400,000)suggests 400,000)

Finds at Ambrona and TorralbaFinds at Ambrona and Torralba Artifacts found:Artifacts found:

over 1000 stone tools over 1000 stone tools animal bones animal bones > 30 elephants > 30 elephants 25 deer 25 deer 25 horses 25 horses 10 cattle 10 cattle several rhinos several rhinos

All skeletons disarticulated , many bones smashed/split, All skeletons disarticulated , many bones smashed/split, almost all elephant skulls missing as are many meat-almost all elephant skulls missing as are many meat-bearing bones, charcoal but no hearths or ash bearing bones, charcoal but no hearths or ash concentrations or burned depressions, bits of charcoal concentrations or burned depressions, bits of charcoal scattered in among bonesscattered in among bones

MigrationMigration The earliestThe earliest Homo erectus Homo erectus finds are in the Rift Valley of finds are in the Rift Valley of

Africa and in South Africa. Africa and in South Africa. Stone tools and camp sites are widely distributed over Stone tools and camp sites are widely distributed over

Africa, including sites in what is now the Sahara desert. Africa, including sites in what is now the Sahara desert. By at least 1 million years ago, By at least 1 million years ago, H. erectusH. erectus migrated out migrated out of Africa to Asia and Europe. of Africa to Asia and Europe.

Recent dating techniques applied to earlier finds in Java Recent dating techniques applied to earlier finds in Java and the Caucasus mountains indicate dates much earlier and the Caucasus mountains indicate dates much earlier than that and would place than that and would place Homo erectusHomo erectus in Asia over 2 in Asia over 2 million years ago. million years ago. Such early dates would, if proven accurate, dramatically overturn Such early dates would, if proven accurate, dramatically overturn

the currently accepted chronology of early human development. the currently accepted chronology of early human development. At this date, however, the earliest claimed dates for At this date, however, the earliest claimed dates for H. erectusH. erectus

outside of Africa are still highly controversial.outside of Africa are still highly controversial.

Habitat/MapHabitat/Map

Htttp://www.handprint.com/LS/ANC/disp.html

Homo Erectus

Asia (cold)

Australia (hot)

Africa (hot)

Europe (cold)

Important FindsImportant Finds

Narikatome BoyNarikatome Boy Discovered by Discovered by

Kamoya KimeuKamoya Kimeu

Peking ManPeking Man Was found near Was found near

BeijingBeijing

Name used for the Name used for the bones of an bones of an extinct hominidextinct hominid

Reconstruction of Reconstruction of Peking man SkullPeking man Skull

Peking man picPeking man pic

http://www.inhandmuseum.com/LA/erectus/ergaster.html

Narikatome BoyNarikatome Boy The nearly full skeleton at the right The nearly full skeleton at the right

belonged to a teen-age boy, 12 or belonged to a teen-age boy, 12 or 13, who lived 1.65 years ago near 13, who lived 1.65 years ago near what is now Lake Turkana in east what is now Lake Turkana in east Africa.Africa.

He was five feet, four inches tall, He was five feet, four inches tall, and his body is remarkably modern and his body is remarkably modern looking.looking.

This is the most complete find of This is the most complete find of an ancient human ancestor yet an ancient human ancestor yet discovered, and it has provided a discovered, and it has provided a wealth of information.wealth of information.

Yet this immature male had Yet this immature male had already surpassed a height of five already surpassed a height of five feet at the time of his death, and feet at the time of his death, and probably would have attained a probably would have attained a height of 6 feet and a weight of height of 6 feet and a weight of roughly 150 lbs.roughly 150 lbs.

Homo ergaster Homo ergaster in Africain Africa ER 3733 represents a mature female of the early human ER 3733 represents a mature female of the early human

species species Homo ergasterHomo ergaster. . The gender identification comes from a comparison of The gender identification comes from a comparison of

the anatomical features of her face with another Koobi the anatomical features of her face with another Koobi Fora for a cranium KNM ER 3883, and the KNM WT Fora for a cranium KNM ER 3883, and the KNM WT 15000 male, found on the opposite side of Lake 15000 male, found on the opposite side of Lake Turkana. Turkana.

The features of KNM ER 3733 are markedly less robust. The features of KNM ER 3733 are markedly less robust. It's known to be an adult on the basis of the cranial It's known to be an adult on the basis of the cranial sutures (which were fully closed), the extent of the wear sutures (which were fully closed), the extent of the wear on the teeth, and the eruption of the third molars before on the teeth, and the eruption of the third molars before the individual's death. the individual's death.

Homo ergasterHomo ergaster (ER3733) (ER3733)

Note the difference in the Note the difference in the shape of the cranium. On shape of the cranium. On the top, the top, H. erectusH. erectus has a has a long cranium with a long cranium with a "transverse torus," a "transverse torus," a protruding area of bone at protruding area of bone at the back of the braincase. the back of the braincase.

H. ergasterH. ergaster has a more has a more globe-shaped braincase globe-shaped braincase that lacks this torus. that lacks this torus. Although the African Although the African

cranium and the East Asian cranium and the East Asian reconstruction both depict reconstruction both depict females, the later H. females, the later H. erectus (right) exhibits erectus (right) exhibits larger browridges. larger browridges.

H. erectus

H. ergaster