Hominin Evolution and Tools: Key Concepts for Anthropology

What is the Acheulean tool industry?

A tool industry associated with early hominins, characterized by hand axes.

What is the Mousterian tool industry?

A tool industry associated with Neandertals.

What is the most important tool for Homo sapiens according to 'The Great Human Odyssey'?

The eyed needle.

What is the Movius line?

The theoretical barrier separating regions with and without Acheulean hand axes.

What characteristic is found exclusively among anatomically modern Homo sapiens?

Chin.

Who are Homo neandertalensis?

The species commonly known as Neandertals.

What feature evolved before large brain size among early hominins?

Bipedality.

What is the significance of the Taung child?

It revealed important features of early hominins.

What is the Partial Replacement/Assimilation Model?

A model of human origins suggesting interbreeding between Homo sapiens and other hominins.

What is the significance of the Denisovans?

A group of hominins contributing to the genetic makeup of modern Eurasians.

What is the earliest fossil hominin found outside of Africa?

Dmanisi, Georgia.

What is the large nasal aperture associated with?

Adaptation to cold in Neandertals.

Who is Homo heidelbergensis?

The common ancestor between Neandertals and Homo sapiens.

What is the time frame for the first wave of anatomically modern humans exiting Africa?

Around 100,000-120,000 years ago.

What is the second wave of anatomically modern humans exiting Africa?

Around 50,000-60,000 years ago.

What is the significance of the fossil found in Blombos Cave?

It highlights the body size and dietary diversity of early Homo sapiens.

What is the significance of Lucy?

A famous fossil associated with Australopithecus afarensis.

Who is Sahelanthropus tchadensis?

Considered the earliest possible hominin.

What does the Energetic Efficiency Model explain?

It proposes that bipedalism is more energy-efficient than quadrupedalism.

What type of environment did Ardipithecus ramidus suggest early hominins emerged from?

Woodland/forest environment.

What is the bicondylar angle?

The angle that a biped femur creates with the tibia.

What is anteriorly positioned in bipedal hominins?

The foramen magnum.

What is facultative bipedalism?

The capacity to walk or run on two legs under exceptional circumstances.