Exam 3
Zhoukoudian Homo erectus
-Largest collection of H.erectus material anywhere -More than 40 male and female adults and children
Tabun Cave
-Less robust than European classic -Contemporary with modern H. sapiens nearby
Flores
-Liang Bua Cave -Flores island, east of Java -Small-bodied -small-brained hominid -Nicknamed "hobbits"
C. The Regional Continuity Model (Multiregional Evolution)
-Local populations in Europe, Asia and Africa evolve into anatomically modern humans
Olduvai
-Louis Leakey unearthed a fossil skull at Olduvai -The cranial capacity is relatively big and brow ridge is huge. -But a thinner cranium than Asian H. erectus -This thinner cranium leads some researchers to argue for the separate species of "Homo ergaster"
Late Ice Age
-Major environmental shifts during this period -Late Pleistocene -Last glacial period of Ice Age
Abrigo de Lagar Velho (Portugal)
-Mixture of traits -Best evidence for hybridization -Four-year-old child's skeletons later than last clearly Neandertal find (after or not as old as other Neanderals)
A. Complete Replacement Model (Recent African Evolution)
-Modern populations arose in Africa (only) -Migrated from Africa, replacing populations in Europe and Asia. ("single origin")
Y-chromosome
-More genetic data -Y-chromosome (male chromosome) -Variation in DNA less compared to other primates -Bolsters complete replacement model
"Classic" Neandertals of Europe
-Most Neander fossils found in Europe -In Europe more "robust" than other areas Called "Classic" Neandertals in western Europe
Cro-Magnon (France)
-Most famous site early modern --Eight individuals -Best known western European samples France's earliest anatomically modern human -Cro-Magnon associated with Aurignacian tool assemblage -About 30,000 years ago -An Upper Paleolithic industry
Solutrean Blades
-Most highly developed Upper Paleolithic industry -Skill and aesthetic appreciation -Parallel flaked lance heads -So delicate considered as possible "art"
Terrain
-Much of Eurasia dotted with lakes and marshes -Permafrost prevents growth of trees -Treeless tundra and steppe in Eurasia -Flowering plants, mosses, other vegetation in short summer
Middle Paleolithic
-Neandertal associated with cultural period known as "Middle Paleolithic" -And stone industry called "Mousterian" industry
Grave Goods
-Neandertal graves -Nor elaborate -Frequently lacked artifacts -Burials not as complex as later anatomically modern H. sapiens
Burials*
-Neandertals deliberately buried their dead -Many placed in flexed position -Body bent with arms and legs drawn up to chest
A.Technology*
-Neandertals improved on Levallois technique -New techniques to produce more flakes from same core -Used many flake tools -Bone, ivory, antler tools very rare
B. Subsistence* (Hunting)
-Neandertals were successful hunters -Used close-proximity spears -No long distance weapons -Dangerous - many injuries -Numerous fractures, head and neck injuries
Sungir
-Near Moscow -Most spectacular burial -Bed of red ocher -Thousands of ivory beads -Mammoth tusk spears
VIII. Genetic Evidence**
-New reseach with advances in molecular biology -Extract, amplify, and sequence ancient DNA
Gran Dolina Site
-Northern Spain -In Atapuerca region -Earliest hominid found in western Europe -Spanish paleoanthropologist name new species -"Homo antecessor"
Homo heidelbergensis
-Now more consensus about "H. heidelbergensis" -Premodern fossils from Africa and Europe
Nuclear DNA
-Nuclear DNA -Confirms early divergence -Neandertal was separate for long time
Cultural Remains (Zhoukoudian)
-Over 100,000 artifacts found. -Site occupied for almost 250,000 years -One of the longest history of habitation in world
H. heidelbergensis
-Premodern fossils in Africa, and Europe more similar to each -Traits from both H. erectus and H. sapiens -Usually referred to Homo heidelbergensis
III. Premoderns and Homo erectus
-Premoderns generally succeeded Homo erectus -Except coexisted for long periods in Asia
C. Speech and Symbolic Behavior*
-Prevailing consensus has been that Neandertals were capable of articulate speech.
Challenges by Recent Researchers
-Probably not a hunter -Remains are refuse of giant hyena carnivores -Probably didn't make fire -Burning was after fossilization -The "ash" layers are organic settlement -Cave probably not inhabited -It had a vertical shaft and was a "trap" instead of a shelter
Abundance
-Relative abundance -Upper Paleolithic people spread over Europe -Caves, open-air camps, large shelters Elaborate burials found
Postcranial
-Robust, barrel-chested, powerful muscles -Shorter limbs -Adaptation to living in cold climate
Pithecanthropus Erectus
-Searching for fossils along Solo river near town of Trinil -In 1891 found skullcap -Next year a human femur (upright) at same level and assumed they from same individual
*Africa
-Several early fossil are fully anatomically modern forms --Omo (Ethiopia) --Klasies River Mouth Cave (South Africa) --Herto
Shanidar Cave
-Shanidar Cave (Iraq) -Deliberate burials -Severely injured person survived -Helped by others
Dmanisi Skulls
-Skull similar to East Africa Homo erectus -However it has less robust browridge And smaller cranial capacity -Front looks like "early Homo" of East Africa
Kow Swamp
-Some archaic traits difficult to explain More "robust" than Lake Mungo
Regional Populations
-Some isolated regional populations died out Others continued (as hypothesized below) 1)In Africa, H. heidelbergensis evolved into modern Homo sapiens 2) In Europe, H. heidelbergensis evolved into Neandertal
Terra Amata
-Southern France -Nice -Detailed Middle Pleistocene reconstruction of a shelter -Evidence of short-term seasonal visits
Sima de los Huesos Morphology
-Spain -Morphology -Some indications of early Neandertal-like pattern
Spear Thrower, harpoon, bow and arrow
-Spear thrower or "atlatl" -A hooked rod enhancing force and distance -Barbed harpoons for salmon and other fish -Bow and arrow may have been used for first time
Qafzeh Cave
-Tabun Cave nearby indicates modern H. sapiens and Neandertals occupations overlapped.
The Levallois Technique
-The Levallois technique for stone tool making -Requires several steps to control flake size and shape
A. The Pleistocene*
-The Pleistocene -Often called the Ice Age -Glacial advances and retreats Hominids impacted .
West Turkana/Nariokotome
-The most complete H. erectus skeleton ever found was uncovered in west Turkana. -Frequently called "Homo ergaster" Nariokotome (Kenya) Boy about 12 years old
Hunting (doubts/new case for hunting)
-There are some strong cases for hunting -Especially the recent find at Schoningen in Germany
Technological Trends in Homo erectus
-Thousands of Acheulian hand axes have been found with remains of large animals. -Homo erectus is seen as a potential hunter and scavenger.
Homo floresiensis
-Three feet tall -Probably descended from H. erectus populations -Isolated island population diverged -Natural selection favors reduced body size -Dwarf elephants also found in same geological beds
Transitional Europe
-Transitional hominids in Europe continue into Upper Pleistocene -Evolution of premoderns takes unique direction -Appearance and expansion of Neandertals
Upper Paleolithic Art
-Upper Paleolithic well-known for art Encompasses 25,000 years -Best known in Europe -Includes North Africa, South Africa, Australia
Body Size
-Weight over 100 lbs -Height about 5 ft. 6 inches -Increased robusticity (heavily built)
Neandertal Discoveries
-Western Europe (such as France and Spain) -Central Europe (including Croatia) -Western Asia (including Israel and Iraq in southwest Asia) -Central Asia (including Uzbekistan)
Mousterian
-Widespread -Europe, North Africa, as far east as central Asia, and other areas
Magdalenian
Last Stage of Upper Paleolithic More advances in technology
Homo Erectus in Java
Last of Homo erectus contemporary with Homo sapiens.
*Western Europe
Many anatomically modern human fossils Back to 40,000 years
B. Europe*
More Middle Pleistocene fossils found in Europe than other regions
Apollo 11
Namibia 28,000 y.a. *Rock Shelter Painted slabs
Art
Neandertal artwork no common Only small, personal items
Results of DNA Comparison (mtDNA)
Neandertal seem more different from contemporary Homo sapiens (based on DNA)
Gran Dolina
Northern Spain at Atapuerca 850,000 B.C. Fossils are not Homo erectus Another species according to Spanish researchers Or might be early "Homo heidelbergensis"
Pinnacle Point
Ocher as possible personal adornment? 165,000 years ago *Small stone tools (microlith)
Bodo
One of the earliest Homo heidelbergensis in Africa Evidence of butchering
H. erectus from Java
Other sites with H. erectus fossils. Early dates range and some unusually recent dates
HISTORIC OVERVIEW OF HOMO ERECTUS DISCOVERIES
Overview of Homo erectus finds in the order in which they were discovered
Three theories of Modern Human Origins
Paleoanthropologists developed two major theories which are opposed to each other: 1) Complete replacement 2) Regional continuity 3) partial replacement
Neandertals
Premodern Humans of the Upper Pleistocene
A. Africa*
Premodern fossils found at several sites in South and East Africa:
Archaic Homo sapiens
Premoderns were recently considered an early, primitive, transitional "Homo sapiens" and called "Archaic Homo sapiens" Many paleoanthropologists consider these a separate species The name "Archaic Homo sapiens" replaced by name "Homo heidlebergensis" in Europe and Africa
Dmanisi
Recall that this is one of the earliest Homo erectus found anywhere And could be classified as "early" Homo as it is very primitive Three cranium and a mandible
Europe
Recent discoveries push time back for Homo erectus in Europe Especially considering the Dmanisi fossils in East Europe
Africa
Rock art possible as early as in Europe in Southern Africa
Fire
Some evidence for controlled use of fire
Summary of East African Homo erectus
Some scientists argue that the African and Asian erectus finds should be classified as separate species. Term "Homo ergaster" suggested for African remains
La Chapelle-aux-Saints
Southwest France Western Europe
Altamira Cave
Spain -Bison in red and black -Used bulges in cave to give relief Meaning not known Religious or magical?
Acheulian Stone Tool
Standard basic H. erectus all-purpose (for a million years) Acheulian "hand axe" Cut, scrape, pound, dig
A. More Recent Neandertal Finds in Western Europe
...
Ant 2511 Chap 10 Premodern Humans
...
Chapter 11 Origin Modern Humans
...
Discoveries in East Africa
...
II. APPROACHES TO UNDERDSTANDING MODERN HUMAN ORIGINS
...
IV. Review of Middle Pleistocene Evolution
...
Middle Pleistocene Tools
...
Morphology of Homo Erectus
...
Some Neandertal Features
...
Technological and Population Trends in the Middle Pleistocene
...
V. Middle Pleistocene Culture
...
V. TECHNOLOGY AND ART IN THE UPPER PALEOLITHIC
...
VII. Culture of Neandertals**
...
Premodern Humans of the Middle Pleistocene**
1) Africa 2) Europe 3) Asia
THE EARLIEST DISCOVERIES OF MODERN HUMANS
Africa The Near East Asia Australia Central Europe Western Europe Flores (Indonesia)
A. Europe
The cultural Period "Upper Paleolithic" Began in western Europe 40,000 years ago
Brain
Brain is larger than today's humans Cold weather adaptation?
Central Africa Katanda Site (Africa)
Congo -Excavations show remarkable bone craftsmanship. -Harpoons were made from the ribs or long bone splinters of large mammals -Ground flat and precisely pressured flaked to made row of barbs
African Migration
Current evidence that earliest modern humans from Africa
Shelters
Evidence of temporary shelters at several sites Including Terra Amata site
Lascaux Cave
France -Wild bulls dominate "Hall of Bulls" -And horses, deer, other animals -Red, black, yellow
Something New and Different
Homo erectus in Java survives a long time Other population branched off from some early inhabitants of Indonesia
End of Upper Paleolithic
Upper Paleolithic lasts until around 10,000 years ago Ice Age ends Dynamic age doomed by climatic changes -10,000 years ago -Temperature rises, glaciers retreat End of the Ice Age -Traditional prey animals disappear -(decrease in herds of large animals) -(grassland natural pastures replaced by forests)
Blombos
*Bone tools, beads Ocher fragments
Discoveries in Peking
-"Dragon bones" used as medicine and aphrodisiacs -(ancient mammal bones sold in apothecary shop) -Geological Survey of China investigated sites where bones collected -Discovered fossils at Zhoukoudian cave
Near East: Israel
--Skhul Cave at Mt. Carmel -Ten individuals -Earliest good evidence anatomically modern humans out of Africa
Herbivores
-Abundant pasture for herbivorous animals -Large herds of reindeer, Mammoths, bison, horses -Across tundra and grasslands
Modern "Homo sapiens"
-All contemporaries are placed in this species -First are probably descendents of premodern humans -Particularly African populations of H. heidelbergensis
Age of Technological Innovation
-Anatomically modern humans -Upper Paleolithic -Invented new and specialized tools
Klasies River Mouth Cave
-And Border Cave -Somewhat later than Omo -Southern Africa on coast -Fully anatomically modern form -Seems likely that modern humans appeared in East Africa and migrated to southern Africa by 100,000 years ago
Southern Africa
-Apollo 11 Rock Shelter (Namibia) -Blombos Cave -Pinnacle Point
INTRODUCTION
-Around 200,0000 years ago -First modern Homo sapiens evolve in Africa -Descendants spread throughout Old World -And later to New World
Asian Homo erectus
-Asian crania from Java to China similar Explained by Homo erectus migration from Java to China around 1 million years ago -African Homo erectus are older and differ in several ways
**Sima de los Huesos
-Atapuerca, Spain -Near Gran Dolina -Site called Sima de los Huesos (pile of bones) -Most of the Middle Pleistocene hominids remains found in world
Cultural Innovations
-Better shelters -Sewn tailored clothing -Increased use of bone, ivory, antler
*Australia
-By 50,000 y.a. -New Guinea and Australia inhabited by modern humans -Australia not connected to mainland -Bamboo rafts used?
Cave Art
-Cave art known from more than 150 sites -Majority in France and Spain -People in other areas didn't use deep caves for art -Painted and carved on rock surfaces in open -Eroded away
Teshik-Tash Site
-Central Asia -Uzbekistan -Evidence that Neandertal range extended eastward into Central Asia
Vindija Cave
-Central Europe -Croatia (Near Kaprina) -Smaller browridge and slight chin development -Link with modern Homo sapiens?
Ceprano
-Central Italy -Only one individual but may be among best evidence of Homo erectus in Europe
Burins
-Common Upper Paleolithic tool -Pointed stone blade -Working wood, bone, and antler -Small chisel-like for engraving -Burins (chisel-like) to engrave bone
Brain size
-Cranial size a most obvious difference -Mean approximately 900cm
Cranium and Face
-Cranium is large, long, low, bulging at sides -Browridges arched -Face projects
Neandertal DNA (mtDNA)
-DNA from several -Including original Neander Valley fossil -Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) most often used -Extracted and amplified (PCR)
Neandertal DNA
-Distinctive -Strong direct evidence of genetic discontinuity between Neandertal and early fully modern humans -Argues for substantial replacement
Grotte Chauvet (France)
-Dots -Stenciled handprints (blow liquid pigment on hand held flat on wall) -Hundreds of animals -By same artist?
...
-Dubois called find "Pithecanthropus erectus" -His view of an "ape man" was criticized -But now agreed it is H. erectus
Lake Mungo
-Earliest finds in Australia 60,000? - 30,000 years ago? Dates controversial
*Near East
-Early modern H. sapiens sites -Sites in Israel --Skhul Cave --Qafzeh
Dmanisi
-Easternmost Europe -Republic of Georgia -New discovered fossils dated radiometrically to 1.75 m.y.a.
Omo
-Ethiopia -Earliest of the fully modern found in Africa -Fossils may be 195,000 years old
Herto
-Ethiopia -Well-preserved and well-dated H. sapiens fossils -Dates between 154,000-160,000 ya -Best dated hominid fossil of time period -Most conclusive evidence of African origin of modern humans
Dubois and Java find in Indonesia
-Eugene Dubois -Dutch anatomist -First with research program to find fossils of the "the missing link"
Prehistoric Art..Europe
-European prehistoric art reached its climax during final phases of Upper -Paleolithic -Particularly during the Magdalenian
Mitochondrial DNA
-Evidence of African origin -Genetic data - living peoples -Mitochondrial DNA (inherited through mother) -Concluded the world's population descended from single African lineage.
"Venuses"
-Female figurines throughout Europe -Some realistically carved -Others with sexual characteristics exaggerated -Perhaps for fertility or ritual purposes
Upper Paleolithic
-Five cultural periods based on stone tool technologies: 1) Chatelperronian (starts 40,000 years ago) 2)Aurignacian 3) Gravettian 4) Solutrean 5)Magdalenian (final phase - starts 17,000)
Upper Pleistocene
-Following discussion concerned especially with populations during the last glaciation Although some are earlier
Why Similar
-Gene flow between these archaic populations -Modern humans not separate species -Never independent.
Schoningen
-Germany (400,000 years ago) -Three preserved wooden spears -Large (6 feet), finely made and expertly balanced -Throwing spears for large animals. -Numerous horse bones found -Spears indicates advanced hunting
B. The Partial Replacement Model
-Gradual dispersal of H. sapiens sapiens out of Africa. -Modern humans mixed with local archaic populations in Eurasia -Some interbreeding
Way of Life :Traditional View
-H. erectus at Zhoukoudian -Traditionally described as "Hunter-gatherer" who killed deer and horses (note keyword is "hunter") -And used fire -This interpretation now rejected by some
Cranial Shape
-Heavily built cranium -Thick bone -Large brow ridges -Maximum cranial breath below ears
"Premodern humans"
-Hominids following Homo erectus -Before anatomically modern human -Includes "Homo heidelbergensis" And others such as Neandertal
Probable Hunter
-Homo erectus -Definitely a scavenger -Probably a hunter
A New Kind of Hominin or "Grade"
-Homo erectus and contemporaries represent a new grade -Grade - a grouping with similar adaptive patterns -The first hominins to leave Africa
Glaciations
-Ice sheets covered much of the northern continents -Northern areas of Europe and Asia became uninhabitable
Biface tools
-Important change was biface core tool (worked both sides) -Biface: stone that was worked on both sides and used to cut, scrape, pound, and dig. -Acheulian hand ax best known
Portable Art
-In addition to cave art -Numerous small sculptures in Europe -Elaborate engravings on tools and handles
Kebara Cave
-Israel near Tabun Cave at Mt. Carmel **-Skeleton with most complete pelvis **-First "hyoid" bone found (base of tongue) --Important for reconstructing speech capabilities
Other European sites
In west Europe Homo erectus-like fossils not as early