Tutorial+3+-+Homo+erectus,+Homo+heidelbergensis

Tutorial - presented by Kirsty, Olivia and Edita.

Edita: - Physical characteristics - Bipedalism - Reduction of teeth - Enlargement of brain

Kirsty: - Temporal and geographic distribution - Religion - Tools - Food acquisition up to and including the agricultural revolution

Olivia: - Cultural and lifestyles inferred for: the australopithecines, Homo habilis, Homo erectus, the neanderthals and Homo sapiens. - Fire - Shelter - Art


 * //HOMO ERECTUS//**

__Temporal and geographic distribution: appereared first in africa,then it migrated to asia, Indonesia and then europe was first homonin to leave africa. Was knwon to be living around 1.8-0.3 million years ago.__

Physical characteristics: cranial capacity of 850-1100cc, thick skull forehead that receeds, thick brow ridge, no chin, flat face, occipital bun prognathic jaw (lower jaw over developed protrudes out beyond the upper jaw), large molars, standing taller than previous species around 1.8m They had relatively strong muscles on the back of their necks. Their foreheads were shallow, sloping back from very prominent bony brow ridges compared to humans the //Homo erectus// brain case was more elongated from front to back and less spherical. As a consequence, the [|frontal] and [|temporal] lobes of their brains were narrower, suggesting that they would have had somewhat lower mental ability. (from Java) || //Homo sapiens// (modern human) ||
 * [[image:http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo/images/H_erectus_and_modern_human_skulls.gif width="350" height="145" caption="photo comparison of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens skulls with the supraorbital tori indicated"]] ||
 * //Homo erectus//

Cultures and lifestyles inferred for: Homo erectus:
 * Historians believe that Homo erectus began as gatherers but advanced over many generations into hunters. The women likely stayed close to home, where they cared for children, and gathered nuts, fruit, and leaves for eating.
 * It is believed that the men went in hunting groups in search of meat. At first they only looked for animals that were already dead. Over time, however, they developed tools such as clubs and spears that allowed them to hunt and kill animals.
 * With the discovery of fire, Homo erectus became even more adept at survival. Fire allowed them to cook their food, to stay warm in cool environments, and to utilize caves as shelter.
 * In order to keep warm, Homo erectus began utilizing clothing. This began with individuals placing animal skins over their bodies, and became more advanced as they learned to stitch animal skins together using stripes of leather.

//Key physical and cultural trends in human evolution including -//

Bipedalism: Their arm and leg bones are pretty much the same in shape and relative proportions to humans today, This strongly supports the view that they were equal to us in their ability to walk and run bipedally

Reduction of teeth: //Homo erectus// teeth were generally intermediate between modern humans and the australopithecines in shape and size. The teeth of later //Homo erectus// were generally smaller than the earlier members of this species. This was particularly true of molars. This evolutionary trend probably reflects a progressive change in diet to softer foods, including more meat and eventually cooked food. The dental arch was shorter and more rounded, much like that of humans today.

Enlargement of brain: Some difference in estimated brain size is apparent between the Javanese and the Zhoukoudian populations of //H. erectus//. Theoretically, the difference in brain size between the two groups of Asian fossils may be the consequence of further evolution in later populations of //H. erectus//. Alternatively, it may simply be interpreted as representing the variation expected between sexes or between two separate populations or subspecies of //H. erectus//.

Development of tools: OLDOWAN-small flakes of flint used as cutters and choppers.knwn as pebble tools.

ACHEULIAN- tools which were discovered in France. roughly two faced lumps, sharpened into a shape similar to a teardrop. these were many used as hand axes. they were mainly used for scrapping and cutting, but those with more prominent pointed ends were most likely for stabbing and piercing.

Fire:
 * //Homo erectus's// made and controlled fire, which had a huge influence on their lives.
 * Control of fire allowed //homo erectus's// to choose where they camped, which made moving into colder regions possible. They counted on fire to provide them with warmth.
 * The fire also would enable easier digestion because of their ability to cook the food.
 * A larger range of foods could then be eaten while the fire eliminated the risk of parasites and worms, improving the health of the species.
 * Most animals were afraid of fire, so a roaring campfire gave protection to the group or tribe.
 * They no longer had to shelter out of the wind, unless they chose to and if their fire went out, they could relight it.

Shelter:
 * Evidence shows that caves and huts were probably used as shelters.

Art:
 * Stone carvings, which may have lead to the possibility of spiritual belief.

Religion:

Food acquisition up to and including the agricultural revolution: __tools show evidence of being carnivores. this is also seen in the use fo fire to prepare food.


 * //HOMO HEIDELBERGENSIS//**__

Temporal and geographi c distribution: africa and europe, eveidence found dates back about 400,000 to 500,000 years ago.

Physical characteristics: increase in brain size from //erectus// to //heidelbergensis,// cranial volume of 1100-1400 cm³, lacks a chin, more prominent face and nose. was taller and had more leaner bodies, 1.8 m on average, and more muscular than modern humans.

//Key physical and cultural trends in human evolution including -//

Bipedalism:

Reduction of teeth: Teeth smaller than //H.erectus.//

Enlargement of brain: may be the time period when more modern behavior began to develop-such as burying the dead-http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/human/human_evolution/first_europeans1.shtml

Development of tools: like the homo erectus they used Achulean tools, which enabled them to hunt food more effectively. have also thought to have used projectile weapons, evidence of this was found in germany.

Fire:
 * Evidence shows that use of fire is almost certain.
 * The earliest use of fire is debated, however, the estimated age is 500,000 years.
 * It is thought that the location was throughout Africa, Europe and Western Asia.

Shelter:
 * Caves, made shelters.

Art:
 * No forms of art other than stone tools have been evident.

Religion:

Food acquisition up to and including the agricultural revolution:__ they are believed to be hunters. Cut marks have been fund on bones of animals such as deer, horse,rhino ect, showing evidence of been butchered.

//**WEBSITES/LINKS**//

http://anthropology.si.edu/humanorigins/ha/heid.htm

http://www.answers.com/topic/homo-heidelbergensis-1

http://www.archaeologyinfo.com/homoerectus.htm

http://www.geocities.com/palaeoanthropology/Herectus.html

http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo/homo_2.htm //**IMAGES**//



location of fossils--were found in indonesia,china, africa asia