Human Origins

These flashcards cover key concepts related to human origins and evolution, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Hominins

Apes that share a common ancestor with Homo sapiens, including species like Australopithecus and Homo.

Australopithecus

A genus of hominins known for bipedal locomotion that lived approximately 4 to 2 million years ago.

Piltdown Man

A historical hoax where a skull was presented as a missing link between ape and human, later proven to be a forgery.

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, a defining characteristic of hominins.

Oldowan tools

Simple stone tools used by early hominins for cutting and scraping, dating back to 1.85 million years ago.

Taphonomy

The study of how organisms decay and become fossilized, crucial in understanding the fossil record.

Relative Chronology

A method used to determine the age of fossils in relation to one another, not necessarily in absolute terms.

Lithic Technology

The technology of making stone tools, characterized by the reduction process of stone cores and flakes.

Tool Use

The practice of utilizing tools for various functions such as scavenging or processing food, which marks a significant evolutionary advancement.

Human Ancestors

Species that are closely related to modern humans, including various forms of Homo and Australopithecines.