Section 2: Early Hominins

What does the word paleo mean?

"ancient"

What is a Hominin?

An Early Ancestor of Humans

If your profession is to study the development and culture of early hominins, then you are most likely an

Anthropologist

What evidence suggests that Homo habilis (Handy Man) lived in groups?

Bones from more than one Handy Man were found together.

What is one main difference Homo erectus (Upright Man) had from Homo habilis (Handy Man)?

Hominins in the Upright Man stood up straight.

How did the prehistoric humans' inventions of the spear thrower and the bow and arrow affect their hunting?

It helped them hunt from a distance, which made hunting safer.

How did Homo Habilis's (Handy Man) ability to make tools affect their lives?

It helped them live longer.

Which of the following is true of Neanderthals?

Neanderthals lived among early humans for around 10,000 years.

Scientists believe that the Homo erectus (Upright Man) group's ability to move places, use fire, and build shelters helped them

Survive longer than other hominids could.

What is one reason scientists believe Neanderthals had a sense of community?

They buried the dead in burial grounds.

What is one important clue the Leakeys found about Homo habilis (Handy Man)?

They could make and use tools.

How do scientists believe hominins in the Homo sapiens (Wise Man) group were able to migrate to North and South America?

They travelled land bridges that are now covered by water.

What is one way Homo habilis (Handy Man) was similar to modern humans?

They were biped, meaning they could walk on two legs.

Which of the following is true of Homo sapiens (Wise Man)?

They were more skilled at making their own tools than Neanderthals.

The biggest advantage of hominids in the Homo erectus (Upright Man) group was their ability to

Work with fire.

The prehistoric humans' artwork suggests that they

communicated their feelings.

Neanderthals were skilled tool makers mostly because of their

large brains, and intelligence.

The hominin group of Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, or Wise Man, is the

large-brained group that modern humans belong to.

The Leakeys named their 1960 discovery Homo Habilis (Handy Man) to honor the group's capability to

make tools.

Scientists believe that hominins in the Homo erectus (Upright Man) group were the first to

migrate out of Africa.