Homo Evolution and Oldowan Tools: Key Concepts for Anthropology

What is the Oldowan tool industry?

The earliest stone tool industry, dating back to approximately 2.5 million years ago.

What are the main components of Oldowan tools?

Cores and flakes.

What is a core in the context of Oldowan tools?

The main stone used for heavy-duty tasks.

What is a flake in the context of Oldowan tools?

A sharp fragment intentionally removed from the core.

What were the primary functions of Oldowan cores?

Breaking bones and accessing marrow.

What were the primary functions of Oldowan flakes?

Cutting meat, slicing plants, and processing wood and grass.

What cognitive skills did the knapping process demonstrate?

Planning, hand-eye coordination, and understanding of fracture mechanics.

What dietary practices did early Homo engage in?

Both scavenging and limited hunting.

What types of bone modifications indicate scavenging or hunting?

Cut marks, percussion marks, and tooth marks.

What does the sequence of bone modifications reveal?

Who accessed the carcass first.

What are the key characteristics of Homo habilis?

Dates from ~2.8-1.8 million years ago, first Homo species, associated with Oldowan tools.

What anatomical trends are observed in Homo habilis?

Slightly larger brain, smaller teeth and jaws, still relatively short and long-armed.

What does the human evolution summary timeline illustrate?

Gradual brain expansion, tooth reduction, and cultural complexity; evolution is a branching tree.

What is significant about Homo erectus?

First hominin to leave Africa, existing from 1.8 million years ago to ~50,000 years ago.

What are the body size and proportions of Homo erectus?

Taller, longer legs, shorter arms, with a height of 4.8-6.1 ft and weight of 90-143 lbs.

What is encephalization in the context of Homo erectus?

A significant increase in brain size, ranging from ~750-1250 cm³.

What dental changes occurred in Homo erectus?

Smaller teeth, reduced jaws, and less prognathism.

What are Acheulean tools?

Bifacial, symmetrical tools associated with Homo erectus, requiring more planning than Oldowan tools.

What are key fossil sites for Homo erectus?

Zhoukoudian in China and Dmanisi in Georgia.

What is the significance of the Turkana Boy fossil?

A near-complete skeleton of an 8-year-old Homo erectus, confirming human-like body proportions.

What are the diagnostic skull features of Homo erectus?

Low receding forehead, supraorbital torus, sagittal keel, and thick cranial bones.

What cultural behaviors are associated with Homo erectus?

Hunting-gathering lifestyle, possible care for the elderly, and controlled fire use.

What are some key vocabulary terms related to Homo evolution?

Oldowan, Acheulean, encephalization, edentulous, supraorbital torus, sagittal keel.

What are the major exam takeaways regarding Homo erectus?

First global hominin, fully human-like body proportions, brain size increased before modern behavior, and evolution is branching, not linear.