Homo Species and Human Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering various ancestral human species, their geographical locations, time periods, and distinguishing physical or behavioral traits.

Homo floresiensis

Also known as "The Hobbit," this species lived in Flores, Indonesia, between $95-17$ kya and is known for hunting dwarf elephants.

Flores Skull LBI

A skull discovered by P Brown in $2003$ in Flores, Indonesia, belonging to a female $H. floresiensis$ estimated to be from $18,000$ YA.

H. floresiensis physical characteristics

Evidence from the skeleton suggests a height of only about $3.3$ foot tall and a small cranial capacity of only $380\,cc$.

Homo floresiensis debate

Scientific debate centers on whether the specimen is a new species, a pathological $H. sapiens$, or a case of insular dwarfism of a small $H. erectus$ population.

Homo heidelbergensis

A species found in Spain, Zambia, and Germany that lived between $850-200$ kya.

Homo erectus

An ancestor found in Southeast Asia, China, and Georgia that lived $1.7-0.4$ million years ago and was the first to control fire.

Dmansi skull

A skull associated with $H. erectus$ found in Southeast Asia, China (Central and East Java), and Georgia.

Homo sapiens

A species found all over the world from $100$ kya to the present, recognized for producing cave art.

Homo rudolfensis

An East African species from the Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene ($2.4-1.6$ million years ago) with a large, flat face and robust jaw.

Homo habilis

Known as "Handy man," this first human species lived in Tanzania ($2.3-1.6$ million years ago) and coexisted with $A. boisei$.

Homo neandertalensis

Also known as Neandertal, these big game hunters lived in Europe and Iraq during the Middle Pleistocene, dating from $400,000$ years ago to $130-35$ kya.