Ch. 2: Early Hominids

community

A group of people who live in the same area and are united by common interests

anthropologist

A scientist who studies human development and culture

trait

A special feature or characteristic

intelligence

A strong mental ability to reason and gain knowledge

capability

Ability or skill

hominids

An early ancestor of humans

Homo sapiens sapiens

Known as the "Doubly Wise Man", these hominids first appeared about 150,000 years ago. While they originated in Africa, they spread to Europe, Asia, and Australia. Eventually they migrated to North and South America across land bridges. These hominids were not as adapted to the cold as the Neanderthals, but survived because of their ability to create better tools, shelter, and clothing.

Homo habilis

Known as the "handy man" of the past because of their ability to make tools. Estimated to have lived 1.5 to 2 million years ago. They were taller than Lucy and had a brain twice the size of hers. These hominids were slightly more human-like

Homo sapiens neanderthalensis

Lived from 230,000 to 30,000 years ago. These hominids were shorter and stockier than modern humans, but were much stronger than us. They also created detailed tools like knives, scrapers, and spear points. These hominids were the first to live in communities and to hunt in an organized group.

Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy)

The earliest known group of hominids, estimated to have lived 3 to 4 million years ago with a height between 3 and 4 feet. They had a mixture of ape and human features - long arms, but hands and feet similar to a human's. They had a large head and a protruding forehead and jaw.

Homo erectus

These hominids stood up straight and got their name from this capability. They lived on Earth from 1.8 million to 200,000 BCE. Scientists believe they were the first hominids to migrate out of Africa because they were well-suited for traveling and good walkers and runners.

contribute

To give, along with others, to a common cause Ex: Expressing thoughts and feelings through pictures and symbols were abilities that were able to ___________ to the development of complex language, one of the capabilities that makes us fully human.

migrate

To move from one geographic region to another