Fossils and Early Hominins

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to fossils, evolutionary biology, and early human ancestors.

Lucy

A significant fossil, Australopithecus afarensis, showing early human evolution.

Miocene

A geological epoch marked by the extinction of many ape species and the development of savanna.

Paleoanthropologist

A scientist who studies ancient humans and their relatives through fossil records.

Ardipithecus ramidus

Species viewed as representing the base of the hominin line, spending time both on the ground and in trees.

Australopithecus afarensis

An early hominin species known for its essential stability and homogeneity in evolution.

habitual bipedalism

A characteristic of hominins, indicating they walked upright.

Acheulean handaxe

A tool associated with Homo erectus, produced through the reduction of stone cores.

core reduction

The process of removing flakes from larger stones to create tools in stone tool technology.

Dmanisi fossils

The earliest evidence of Homo erectus found outside Africa.

Homo erectus

An early human ancestor characterized by a more human-like skeleton and larger cranial capacity.

Bapang Formation

The geological stratum where Homo erectus remains were found in Sangiran.

dental caries

Cavities that are more prevalent in humans due to changes in diet and dental hygiene.

domestication

The mutual relationship between humans and plants or animals leading to genetic changes.

sedentism

The practice of staying in one area for a long period, commonly associated with agriculture.

paleoethnobotany

The study of ancient human-plant relationships and how they shaped human culture.