Anthropolgy exam 2

last common ancestor

Ancestor from which two species are derived.

taxonomy/phylogeny

Graphic representation tracing evolutionary relationships.

ethnoprimatology

Study of human and non-human primate interactions.

anthropological primatology

Study of primate behavior, providing insight into the evolution of behaviors.

primate characteristics

Includes prehensile hands and feet, flexible hips, big brains, social behavior.

Strepsirrhini

Group of primates with traits like wet noses and nocturnality.

Haplorrhini

Group of primates with dry noses and larger brains.

Platyrrhini

New World monkeys characterized by their flat noses and prehensile tails.

Catarhini

Old World monkeys and apes with outward facing nostrils.

Cercopithecoids

Old World monkeys that are arboreal or terrestrial, with non-prehensile tails.

Homonoidea

Apes, distinguished by their lack of tails and greater shoulder flexibility.

Piltdown Man

Early theory claiming brain evolved before body in human evolution.

Relative dating

Method placing artifacts in a sequence without determining actual age.

absolute dating

Techniques providing an actual or absolute age for artifacts.

Law of Superposition

In undisturbed geological layers, younger layers are on top.

Law of Uniformitarianism

Natural laws operating today also operated in the past.

Hominins

Branch of Homininae, part of the great ape family Hominidae.

Major trends in hominin evolution

Includes bipedalism, changes in dentition, and increase in brain size.

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs.

mosaic evolution

Changes in some body parts without change in others.

Australopithecus afarensis

Species with small brain and full-time bipedalism.

Australopithecus africanus

Species with larger brain and smaller teeth, more human-like.

Australopithecus robustus

Robust species found in South Africa.

Homo habilis/rudolphensis

Species with larger brain and Oldowan tools.

Homo erectus/ergaster

First hominin to leave Africa, associated with Acheulean tools.

Homo floresiensis

Species characterized by genetic drift or founder effect.

Homo heidelbergensis

Thought to be a predecessor of modern humans.

Homo sapiens neanderthalensis

Neanderthals, notable for large brains and distinct facial characteristics.

Mousterian tools

Stone tools associated with Neanderthals.

Homo sapiens sapiens

Modern humans characterized by flat face and large brain.

Multiregional hypothesis

Theory that human populations branched off in various regions.

Out of Africa/Replacement hypothesis

Theory suggesting humans spread from Africa, branching off twice.

domestication

Genetic transformation of wild species through selective breeding.

evidence for domestication

Increase in plant size and changes in animal size.

Oasis hypothesis

Theory that populations concentrated near oases during dry spells.

Neolithic revolution

Transition from hunting/gathering to agriculture.

social complexity

Differentiation in social organization seen in complex societies.

Fertile Crescent

Region noted for its rich resources, near Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Gebekli Tepe

Ceremonial site associated with early human ritual, no permanent inhabitants.

Natufians

Early population that stayed in one place but did not engage in agriculture.

Catal Hoyuk

Neolithic site in Turkey characterized by lack of hierarchy.

Civilization

Stage of human cultural development considered advanced.

V. Gordon Childe’s Characteristics of Civilization

Includes urban centers, specialists, monumental buildings, and more.

Food production and population growth

Key factors leading to the emergence of complex societies.

Uruk

Ancient society known for trade, writing, and religious authority.

Indus Valley

Region with organized urban centers, lacking social elite.

Teotihuacan

Large ancient city known for its significant population.

Cahokia

Pre-Columbian site with extensive population and suburban structure.