full definitions

human evolution

human evolution

the process that has led to the development of modern day humans. this includes studying the evolutionary trends of the ancestry of humans.

primates

order of mammals including humans, apes, monkeys and lemurs

hominin

hominid subgroup consisting of the genus homo and several genera of early bipedal apes (ancestral humans like australopithecus and ardipithecus) ie. all living and fossil species belonging to the human lineage. hominins are bipedal and very close to humans.

hominid

family containing humans and their immediate ancestors and the great apes (bonobo - african apes, gorilla, orangutan, chimps) apes have no external tails.

cultural evolution

the process by which learning and the transmission of acquired behaviour characteristics allow for human evolution

biological evolution

the process by which natural selection and mutations allow for human evolution of features passed down through DNA

ardipithecus ramidus

The first possible hominin with evidence of walking on two feet. Was a good climber, due to curved digits of feet. Found in Ethiopia

australopithecus afarensis (lucy)

fully bipedal (4-3 mya), with a small brain. It was 1.2m tall with a human like pelvis and leg bones

broca’s area

organises sounds into meaningful sentences

Wernicke's area

interprets sounds that are heard (i.e., comprehension of spoken words)

large sagittal crest

attachment site for jaw muscles

nuchal crest

attachment of neck muscles. this prevents the head from sagging forwards

massive zygomatic arch

through which the jaw muscles pass

massive molars

for grinding vegetation

foramen magnum

for the spinal cord to pass (from behind the skull to under and centrally in bipeds)

large canines

used for display and defense

heavy brow ridge

supports the skull against stresses from excessive chewing

sexual dimorphism

the biological difference between the sexes

diastema

the gap where the canines fit

prognathism

a protrusion of your upper jaw, lower jaw or both

sagittal crest

a ridge of bone running lengthwise along the midline of the top of the skull for attachment of jaw muscles

cranial vault

encases and protects the brain together with the base of the skull

brow ridge

bony ridge over the eye sockets

incisors

The four front teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. they cut and grab food

canine

a pointed tooth between the incisors and premolars of a mammal, tear meat

P.boisei

Similar form to P. robustus from East Africa. Discovered in Olduvai Gorge in 1959. Became extinct. 1.8 mya

H.habilis - handy man

Found in Olduvai Gorge, 1.2-1.5 m tall, 30-50 kg, Bulge in Broca's area (could make sounds), No sexual dimorphism, Bipedal, Hunters which killed large and small games, Makes Odolwan tools (2 mya)

H.Ergaster and erectus - upright man

Similar face than H.habilis, Ergaster is the African branch of this group (1.8 mya), found in Europe and Africa, Erectus was the first fossil discovered but thought to have died later (Peking man was found in Indonesia followed by Java Man), Brain: 1000 cm3, Because of its big brain and posture, considered the first fully human group, Taller than habilis, More advanced speech, First fire user, Proficient tool maker (Acheulean tools), First real cooperative hunters, Note that many scientists disagree with this group being split between Ergaster (African version) and erectus (Asian version). A recent finding of a 1 million year old Erectus skull in Ethiopia proved Erectus was widespread.

H.neanderthalis

(40 000 - 50 000 ya) General features: First found in Neander valley in Germany Thick heavy bones and heavy muscles Short lower limbs like Eskimos Large heads with prominent brow ridges Larger brain than our brain Live in caves Buried dead Cold-adapted anatomy Strong social bonds Canibals Mousterian tools Possibly limited interbreeding with H.sapiens

Denisovans

Found in 2011 Close relative to Neanderthals (evidence from genome analysis of finger bone and teeth) Diverged from Neanderthals 350 kya and lived in Asia Suggestion that they lived from Siberia down to South East Asia

H.floresiensis

38 -13 kya 1.06 m tall Found in 2003 on the island of Flores, Indonesia Mix of primitive ad derived features (long arms, primitive wrist joints, large feet) Scan of brain shows expansion of prefrontal cortex and temporal lobes (complex thought) No chin Bipedal Stone tools found with skeleton indicating hunting

H.naledi

Unknown age Remains of 15 individuals dug in 2013 from The Dinaledi chamber is located approximately 30 meters underground, South Africa Similar size and weight to a small modern human Ribcage, pelvis and shoulders closer to earlier hominins Fully modern hand, curved fingers Small brain Long legs for long distance movement, capable climber Evolutionary offshoot, no direct ancestor

H.sapiens

General features: Smaller brain than neanderthalis Smaller teeth Straighter forehead Sticking out nose Skilled hunters

Oldowan

H. habilis, First found in Oldowai, Tanzania Pebble tools - choppers, hammers Sharp edges used for cutting or sharpen sticks Crack bones to get marrow Crush tough plants to soften fibres Dig up edible roots and bulbs Flakes can be used as cutting blades. River worn pebbles with flakes knocked off from several angles to produce a core with a cutting edge - 6 blows. (2.5-1.5 mya)

Acheulian

(1.5 mya-150 000 ya). H. Erectus and archaic H.sapiens First found in the village of St Acheul, North of France Bifaced (bulge on each broad face), 'tear drop' shape, large and unrefined Hand axes, cleavers. Hand axe to chop, cut, scrape animal and plant materials, dig roots Cleaver (straight cutting edge on one side) - heavy chopping and hacking through joints of large animals Flakes can be used to scrape and cut animal hides Chipping flakes all over a core stone giving rise to a flat cutting edge - 50 blows

Mousterian

H. neanderthalensis. First found at le Moustier, France Fine flakes with razor sharp edges Made of flint, obsidian, bone Smaller than Acheulian but more specialised and diverse Hand axe, blade, scraper Skinning, sharpening sticks Can be used to make spears using rope. Flint is a predictable material Shaping flakes struck off a prepared core stone (Levallois method) - 150 blows

upper palaeolithic

(about 40-35 kya) H.sapiens. Long narrow blade is used as the base of many tools Bone and antler tools were common Adapted for specialised functions, e.g., burin, side scraper, throwing stick, burin, bone needle Composite tools (combined materials)

pentadactyl limbs

feet and hands have 5 digits

prehensile

can grasp objects

plantigrade

entire foot is in contact with the ground

arboreal

tree dwelling habit

endocranial capacity

a measure of the volume of the interior of the cranium of those vertebrates who have both a cranium and brain

valgus angle

an angle thats between the midline and the femur

lateral condyle

buttress at the bottom of the femer

temporal line

attachment point for jaw muscles in h sapiens

brachiation

swinging from arms