Lecture 6: Middle Pleistocene hominins with Dr Dylan Gaffney (18th November 2024)

Middle Pleistocene

A geological time period close to 800,000 years ago characterized by increasingly cooler and fluctuating climates.

Homo habilis

An early hominin species known for its small body size, discussed in the context of early hominins.

Homo erectus

A hominin species that emerged during the Middle Pleistocene, notable for its spread across Eurasia.

Climatic cooling

A significant drop in global temperatures that occurred during the Middle Pleistocene.

Magnetic reversal

A change in the Earth's magnetic field direction, with the last significant event occurring about 800,000 years ago.

The hobbits

A term used in popular media to refer to short-bodied hominin species discovered in the last 20 years, likely alongside Homo erectus.

Sapiens

The species name for modern humans, which appeared about 300,000 years ago as the transition from earlier hominins.

Geological terminology

Refers to terms used by geologists to describe periods, formations, and stratigraphy in Earth’s history.

Interglacial period

A warm period in between glacial periods; the last occurred approximately 125,000 years ago.

Multi-hominid worlds

The coexistence and interaction of different hominin species during the Middle Pleistocene.

Out of Africa theory

The theory suggesting that Homo erectus emerged from Africa and migrated to other regions.

Multiregionalism

The theory that Homo erectus evolved in different regions simultaneously.

Trinil

A famous Homo erectus site located in Indonesia.

Ralph van Koeningswald

A paleontologist known for cross-comparing different fossils, particularly those from the Homo erectus era.

Mojokerto child

A significant fossil discovery related to Homo erectus in Indonesia.

Sintanthropus pekinensis

Initially named Sinanthropus pekinensis, it was later classified as Homo erectus and is known for the Zhoukoudian fossils.

The Movius line

A theoretical line marking the technological differences in tool-making between East and West Asia.

Atapuerca

A large cave system in Spain home to a new hominin group called Homo antecessor, with debates around cannibalism and butchery.

Dmanisi Castle

A site in Georgia with significant morphological variation among Homo erectus crania.

Homo heidelbergensis

A species that existed approximately 500,000 years ago, seen as a precursor to Neanderthals.

Mauer mandible

The type specimen representing a robust skull found in Germany, linked to early human evolution.

Kalambo Falls

An archaeological site that provides evidence of wooden structures by early hominins.

Homo floresiensis

A small-sized hominin that evolved from either Homo erectus or a small Homo habilis, known for its island dwarfism.

Systematic hunting

An organized method of hunting associated with increased sociality and larger group interactions among early hominins.

Postnatal brain development

The development of the brain after birth, indicating extended childhood and increased learning.

Mode 2 technology

Refers to a particular style of stone tool production characterized by bifacial shaping and advanced techniques.