Overview
This lecture explores the origins, characteristics, and legacy of Homo erectus, the earliest widely recognized human species.
Origins and Discovery
- Homo erectus appeared around 1.9 million years ago during the Pleistocene period.
- The species first originated in Africa and then spread mainly across Asia.
- The first Homo erectus fossil was discovered in 1891 by Eugene Dubois on Java, Indonesia.
- Peking Man in China and Java Man are the main fossil discoveries representing this species.
Physical Traits and Characteristics
- Homo erectus had human-like body proportions and stood upright, similar in height and weight to modern humans.
- Their faces were larger and flatter than ours, with prominent brows, thick jawbones, small chins, and smaller, thinner teeth.
- They were the first to develop projecting noses, likely an adaptation for breathing dry air.
- Brain size was about 950 cubic centimeters, smaller than modern humans.
Communication and Social Behavior
- They likely could not speak, lacking the necessary bone and muscle structure for language.
- Possible use of proto-language, including grunts and hand gestures for communication.
- Later Homo erectus displayed teamwork and division of labor in hunting and gathering.
Tools and Technology
- Homo erectus improved stone tool technology, creating larger lithic tools up to 10 cm.
- They are credited with inventing and widely using the hand axe, a teardrop-shaped stone tool.
- The hand axe was used for over a million years, though its exact function remains debated.
Diet and Survival Strategies
- Early Homo erectus scavenged and foraged; later populations hunted large game such as elephants, rhinos, and hippos.
- Their dependence on big game meat is evidenced by population declines correlated with the extinction of key prey species.
Extinction and Legacy
- Debate exists over whether Homo erectus overlapped with Homo sapiens, but most evidence suggests they disappeared beforehand.
- Climate change is the leading theory explaining their extinction.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Homo erectus — An extinct human species that lived from about 1.9 million to 400,000 years ago.
- Pleistocene period — Geological epoch during which Homo erectus appeared.
- Hand axe — A prehistoric, teardrop-shaped stone tool used by early humans.
- Proto-language — Early, pre-speech form of communication using sounds and gestures.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review video or materials on Neanderthals for comparison.
- Study key fossil sites (Java Man and Peking Man) for further understanding.