BIO A 201 - 11.14.25 Lecture Notes Fossil Hominins and the Genus Homo - Week 8 Lecture 3

A set of flashcards covering vocabulary related to human evolution and cultural development as discussed in the lecture.

Homo sapiens

The species name for modern humans, with origins in Africa.

Interglacials

Periods of warmer climate between ice ages that allowed for migration across previously impassable areas.

Endocranial volume

The internal volume of the skull, which has increased in modern Homo sapiens.

Masticatory system

The system involved in chewing, which has evolved in humans with smaller facial structures.

Mode 3 tools

Tools associated with Homo heidelbergensis and Neanderthals, characterized by a shaped core that produces flakes.

Microliths

Small, sharp stone tools produced through pressure flaking; indicative of advanced tool-making techniques.

Atlatl

A tool that allows for greater distance when throwing projectiles, increasing hunting efficiency.

Cave art

Art created on cave walls that reflects the cognitive abilities and cultural expressions of early humans.

Symbolic culture

The use of symbols, including art and decorations, to express identity, belief, and social structure.

Denisovan

An extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans found primarily in Asia, known from genetic evidence.

Cultivation

The process of growing plants intentionally, which marks the transition from foraging to agriculture.

Animal husbandry

The breeding and care of domesticated animals, which supports agriculture and food production.

Disease transmission

The spread of diseases, which increases in sedentary populations due to close living conditions.

Ritual burial

The process of burying the dead, often with grave goods, indicating beliefs in an afterlife.

Fertility symbols

Representations, often in the form of figurines, associated with reproduction and fertility beliefs.

Social organization

The structured relationships and roles within a human community, allowing for role specialization.