Term
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Definition
| colloquial term for members of the evolutionary group that includes modern humans and now extinct bipedal relatives |
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| A pattern of evolution in which the rates of evolution in one functional system vary from those in other systems |
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| the study of ancient humans |
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| Objects of materials made and modified for use by hominins. The earliest are usually made of stone or occasionaly bone. |
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| The study of how bones and other materials came to be buried in the earth and preserved as fossils |
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Definition
- East Africa;
- Louis and Mary Leaky conduced continuous excavations from the 1930s to the early 1980s.
- More than 150 species of extinct animals.
- Provides clues to the ecological conditions of early hominin habitats.
- Special to paleoanthropologists because: Faulting exposes geological beds near the surface. Active volcanic processes cause rapid sedimentation which preserves bone and artifacts. Volcanic activity provides a wealth of radiometricaly datable material.
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| now part of the genus paranthropus. Zinjanthropus cranium was discovered by Mary Leakey at Olduvai Gorge in 1959. |
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Definition
| tells us that something is older or younger than something else, but not by how much |
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Definition
| Dating technique that gives an estimate in actual nubers of years; also known as absolute dating |
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Definition
| the time period in which one half the amount of a radioactive isotope is converted chemically to a daughter product |
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| Behavioral aspects of human adaptation, which includes: technology, traditions, language, religion, marriage, patterns, and social roles. (set of learned behaviors enhanced from one generation to the other) |
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Definition
| study of the sequential layering of deposits |
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| Principle of superposition |
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Definition
| a lower stratum (layer) is older than a higher stratum |
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Definition
| applies to buried bones and groundwater seepage. bones incorporate fluorine dating during fossilization. |
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Definition
| a relative dating technique based on the regular changes seen in evolving groups of animals as well as the presence of absence of particular species |
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Definition
| based on the shifting of the geometric pole |
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Definition
| technique for dating certain archaeological materials (such as stone tools) that were heated in the past and that release stored energy of radioactive decay as light upon reheating. |
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Definition
| chronometric technique used to date early hominins/materials in the 1-5 million year range. Potassium-40 contains a half life (time period in which one-half the amount of a radioactive isotope is converted chemically to a daughter product) of 1.25 billion years and produces Argon-40. |
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Definition
| Radiometric method popular with archaeologists, contains a half life of 5,730 years. Used to date organic materials, such as: bonesm wood, cloth, and plan remain. Applies to later stages of hominin evolution. Range is less than 1,000-75,000 years (accuracy is reduced for materials more than 40,000 years old). |
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Term
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Definition
| isotopes of carbon that are produced in plants in differing proportions, depending on environmental conditions. By analyzing the proportions of the isotopes contained in fossil remains of animals (who ate the plants), it's possible to reconstruct aspects of ancient environments (particularly temperature and aridity) |
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Definition
| making stone tools. (knappers-people who make stone tools) |
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Definition
| thin-edged fragment removed from a core |
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Definition
| stone reduced by flake removal (may/may not itself be used as a tool) |
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Definition
| striking a core or flake with a hammerstone |
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Definition
| A method of removing flakes from a core by pressing a pointed implement (bone, antler, etc) against the tools |
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Definition
| referring to the production of stone tools |
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Definition
| small stone tools usually produced from narrow blades punched from a core; found especially in Africa during the latter part of the Pleistocene |
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Definition
| the polish left on experimental flint implement after scraping wood for 10 min. Bright smooth area are the microwear polish. Dark grainy areas of unworn flint surface. Arrows indicate implement edge. Can tell how the tool was used. |
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Definition
| Microscopic silica structures formed in the cells of many plants, particularly grass |
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| Environmental Determinism |
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Definition
| an interpretation that links simple environmental changes directly to a major evolutionary shift in an organism. Such explanations tend to oversimplify the evolutionary process. |
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Definition
| ability to carry objects (and offspring), hunting on the ground, gathering of seeds and nuts, feeding from bushes, improved thermoregulation, having a better view of open country (to spot predators), walking long distances, and provisioning by males and females with dependent offspring |
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Term
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Definition
| bipedal locomotion as the form of locomotion shown by hominins most of the time |
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Definition
| bipedalism as the only form of hominin locomotion |
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Term
| Morphological Changes Associated with Bipedalism |
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Definition
1. Highly derived feed (large toe is enlarged and put in line with the rest of the toes, longitudinal arch is formed which helps to absorb shock and adds a propulsive spring)
2. Re-positioning of the foramen magnum underneath the skull so that the head is more or less balanced on the spine (this requires less robust neck muscles to hold the head upright).
3. The spine has to distinctive curves -- a backward(thoracic) one and a forward (lumbar) one that keeps the trunk (and weight) centered above the pelvis
4. The pelvis is shaped more in the form of a basin to support internal organs
5. The lower limbs are elongated (for example, human thigh=20% of body height, while gorilla thigh- 11% of body height)
6. Femur is angled inward, which keeps the leg more directly under the body; modified knee anatomy also permits full extension of the knee joint. |
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Term
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Definition
| aka iliac blades, are shorter and broader in humans, which stabilizes weight transmission as we walk upright |
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Definition
| the location on the skull where the spinal cord connects. Positioning directly under the skull implies bipedalism. |
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Definition
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Term
| Sahelanthropus Tchadensis |
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Definition
Where: Chad
When: 6-7 mya
What found: Nearly complete cranium
Characteristics: Flat face, bipedal placement of the foramen magnum, massive browridges, small brain 350 cc. |
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Term
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Definition
Where: Tugen Hills, Kenya
When: 6 mya
What Found: thigh, arm, lower jaw, teeth
Ape-Like Features: Chimp like teeth, post cranial climbind adaptations
Hominin Features: Bipedal, thick tooth enamel |
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Term
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Definition
(2 species)
Where: Ethiopia
When: 5.8-4.4 mya
What: teeth, foot, bones, cranial bones, upper forelimbs
2 Species:
-Kadabba: Ape like features: Canine sharpened against premolar.
Hominin Features: bipedal, thick enamel
-Ramidus:
Aple like features: small molars, thin enamel.
Hominin Features: incisor like canines, forward placement of foramen magnum |
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Term
| Australopithecus Anamensis |
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Definition
| 4.2-3.9 mya, earliest australopiths, come from East Africa and from a couple sites in Northern Kenya. Postcranial pieces clearly indicate bipedal locomotion. However, has some primitive features in dentition including a large canine and a sectorial first premolar. These fossils are more primitive than all the later members of the genus Austrolapithecus |
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Term
| Austrolopithecus Afarensis |
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Definition
| 3.6 - 3.0 mya Found in sites of Hadar( in Ethiopia) and Laetoli( in Tanzania) A. afarensis knee joint resembles human knee, suggests bipedalism.(Lucy 3.2 mya) Has ape-like skull but bipedal locomotor pattern. (Laetoli Footprints 3.5 mya) 75 ft trail, three individuals, impression patterns clearly show bipedal locomotion. (Dikika Child 3.3-3.2 mya) foot and lower limb indicate terrestrial bipedalism, yet shoulder and curved fingers suggest arboreal ease. Teeth quite primitive, canines are large and pointed, lower first premolar is semisectorial, teeth rows are parallel and even converging somewhat toward the back of the mouth. A. afarensis conlusively a habitual biped, not necessarily precludes arboreal behavior altogether though. Avg. brain capacity is 438 cm cubed. Some individuals(males?) have cranial capacity of 500 cm cubed while other individuals(females?) have a cranial capacity of only 375 cm cubed. |
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Term
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Definition
Where: East Africa
When: 2 mya
Characteristics: Small cranial capacity (510-530 cubed) extremely robust in terms of teeth and jaws, sagittal crest |
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Term
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Definition
Where: South Africa
When: 2-1.2 mya
Characteristics: Small cranial capacity, also very robust in terms of teeth and jaws (not like P. Boisei), saggital crest |
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Term
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Definition
| 2.4 mya, East Africa (Black Skull from W. Lake Turkana) compound crest in back of skull (Sagittal and Nuchal crest) broad face, large palate, and large area for back teeth |
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Term
| Australopithecus Africanus |
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Definition
| 2.5-2.0 mya, South Africa, They were small brained ( adult cranial capacity of 440 cm cubed), big-toothed (though not as much as Paranthropus), well-adapted bipeds. |
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Term
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Definition
| 75 ft trail of hominin footprints. 3 individuals. Found by Mary Leaky and colleagues, 3.5 my bp. Made in ash; stayed well perserved |
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Term
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Definition
| (Lucy 3.2 mya) Has ape-like skull but bipedal locomotor pattern. Discovered at Hadar in 1974, belongs to A. afarensis |
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Term
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Definition
| -large part of skeleton discovered in 2001. Immature A. afarensis. 3 years old. "mixed" locomotion. Feet suggest walking curved fingers and scapula suggest arboreal ease |
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Term
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Definition
| a ridge of bone that runs down the middle of the cranium like a short Mohawk. This serves as the attachment for the large temporal muscles, indicating strong chewing. |
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Term
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Definition
| aka supraorbital tori (torus for singular) characteristic in a robust form of varying degrees of: Homo erectus, Sanhelanthropus tchadensis, and Paranthropus aethiopicus among others. |
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Term
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Definition
| discovered in 1924. The endocast is in back with fossilized bone mandible and face in front. A. africanus. Very first early hominin discovery from Africa( or anywhere else for that matter) |
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Term
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Definition
| Solid impression of the inside of the skull, details relating to brain's size and surface. |
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Term
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Definition
| Plio-Pleistocene(5.0-1.0 mya) hominin at Olduvai Gorge, significantly larger brain than Australopithecines. Referred to as early Homo, dubbed Homo habilus by Louis Leakey and colleagues. Shows an increase in cranial size of about 20% over the larger of the Australopithecines. Associated with Oldowan( earliest known stone tool industry), Leakey argued H. habilus were early Olduvai toolmakers. H. habilus material at Olduvai gorge dates to 1.8 mya. |
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Term
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Definition
| the earliest known tool industry, discovered at Olduvai Gorge. Often depicted as "chopping tool industry". |
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Term
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Definition
| (timing, range, morphology) - 1.8 mya - 100 kya. Headed north from Kenya to Republic of Georgia to Dmanisi, in the Caucasus region. Had a low forehead, large brow ridges(supraorbital tori), large back teeth, shovel shaped incisors, thick cranial bones, sagittal ridge, nuchal torus, broad skull base, and cranial capacity of 700-1250 cm cubed(25% increase relative to Early Homo.) Body size dramatically increased relative to earlier hominins(esp. increased robusticity). |
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Term
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Definition
| invented about 1.4 mya(after emigration of H. erectus from Africa). Core was worked on both sides, called a biface(known widely as a handaxe or cleaver), biface had a flatter shape than rounder earlier Oldowan cores. In Acheulian culture raw materials transported more consistently for longer distances, whereas in Oldowan all stone tools were found very close to their raw material sources. Biface was the "Acheulian Swiss army knife" , used to cut, scrape, pound, and dig. |
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Term
| East Turkana (what found, when from) |
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Definition
| Nearly complete skull of H. erectus dated to 1.8 mya |
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Term
| Nariokotome(what found, when from) |
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Definition
| most complete H. erectus skeleton ever found(WT15000), dated to 1.6 mya |
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Term
| Dmanisi(what found, when from) |
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Definition
| four crania and several postcranial bones coming from at least four individuals( note that skull and postcranial bones not necessarily from same individuals) dated: 1.8-1.7 mya |
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Term
| Trinil (what found, when from) |
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Definition
| skull cap, dated 1.6-1.0 mya |
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Term
| Ngangdong (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| very late survival of H. erectus, contemporary of H. Sapiens. fourteen individuals' fossils found, Book date: 70-40 kya, Class notes date: 50-25 kya |
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Term
| Zhokoudian (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| Largest, most famous sample of H. erectus, wide age range of individuals, shows some H. erectus populations were well adapted to temperate(cold) environments. 40 male and female adults and children found, dated: 780-(?)400,000 kya |
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Term
| Atapuerca, Spain (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| oldest evidence of hominins in western Europe, possibly not Homo erectus. partial jaw with a few teeth(Sima del Elefante), dated to 1.2 mya |
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Term
| Difference between Asian and African erectus |
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Definition
| East African specimens are not as buttressed at the brow ridge and nuchal torus and have thinner cranial bones than those found in Asia. The African and Asian populations are seperated by more than 1 million years. |
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Term
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Definition
| 780,000 - 125,000 years ago, most premodern human populations replaced H. erectus in the Old World. Long period of coexistence in Southeast Asia of H. erectus and premodern humans. Early premodern humans similar to H. erectus, but have some features that were more derived. They possessed an increased brain size, a more rounded braincase, a more vertical nose, and a less angled back of the skull(occipital). |
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Term
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Definition
| aka Late Pleistocene, 125,000 - 10,000 years ago, end of H. Heidelbergensis, appearance and disappearance of Neanderthals and appearance of Homo sapiens. |
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Term
| Pleistocene environmental change |
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Definition
| due to glaciation and interglacials,glaciation results in colder temperatures in northern latitudes and more arid conditions in southern latitudes(notably in Africa).Interglacials result in those northern latitudes becoming warmer and the said souther latitudes becoming wetter. |
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Term
| Homo heidelbergensis (timing, range, morphology) |
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Definition
| 600,000 - 125,000 years ago, Found in South and East Africa, England, France, Spain, Germany, and Greece in Europe, and China in Asia. occipital region is less angulated, the cranial vault bones are thinner, and the cranial base is essentially modern, increased cranial capacity, reduced tooth size, and parietal expansion. |
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Term
| Kabwe (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| had a mosaic of features(browridge very robust, but braincase expanded). (Note to the reader: read "mosaic" in the sense of mosaic evolution.). Nearly complete skull was found, dated to 130,000+ years ago. |
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Term
| Bodo (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| earliest evidence of deliberate bone processing of hominins by hominins. A nearly complete cranium was found dated to 600,000 years ago. |
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Term
| Swanscombe (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| considerable brain expansion, partial skull dated: 300,000? - 259,000? years ago |
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Term
| Atapuerca (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| very early evidence of Neandertal ancestry(>500,000 years ago); earliest evidence of deliberate body disposal of the dead anywhere. at least 28 individuals were recovered and dated: 600,000 or 500,000 to 400,000 years ago. |
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Term
| Dali (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| best evidence of H. heidelbergensis in Asia, a nearly complete skull was found and dated: 230,000 - 180,000 years ago |
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Term
| Jinniushan (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| some chinese scholars suggest it as possible ancestor of early Chinese H. sapiens. A partial skeleton was found with cranium showing relatively large brain size dated to 200,000 years ago. |
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Term
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Definition
| beginning with a nodule and chipping it on the perimeter, flakes are then radially removed from the top surface, once that has been done a final blow struck at one end removes large flake which is the goal of the whole process and is the completed tool. Look at Fig. 3-10 on pg. 377 for pictorial clarification. |
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Term
| Homo neandertalensis (timing, range, morphology) |
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Definition
| 130,000 - 10,000 years ago, Found through out Europe and Southwest Asia. Had larger brains than modern humans (modern = 1,300-1,400 cm cubed, neandertal = 1520 cm cubed), cranium large, long, low, and bulging at the sides, had occipital bun, marked occipital angle typical of many H. erectus crania is absent, forehead rises more vertically than that of H. erectus, the browridges arch over the orbits instead of forming a straight bar, a projecting face, and a very robust build. |
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Term
| La Chapelle-aux-saints (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| historically provided an early, but distorted, interpretation of Neandertals. A nearly complete skeleton in a flexed position dated to 50,000 years ago |
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Term
| Moula-Guercy (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| evidence of Neandertal cannibalism. 78 broken skeletal fragments from six individuals whose bones had been processed, defleshed, and disarticulated in the same way as deer and are dated: 120,000 - 100,000 years ago. |
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Term
| Krapina, Croatia (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| one of the oldest intentional burial sites on record, possibly the earliest site showing the full suite of classic Neandertal morphology. 1,000 fragments from 70 individuals were found dating: 130,000 - 110,000 years ago. |
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Term
| Shanidar 1 (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| testament to Neandertal compassion and humanity. nine individuals found, one of which was the skeleton of a crippled, partially blind, one-armed man all, these were dated: 70,000 - 60,000 years ago. |
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Term
| Mousterian tool technique |
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Definition
| First, a flint nodule was trimmed around the edges to form a disk-shaped core. Then, the core was struck repeatedly, producing a flake at each strike until the core became to small and was tossed away. Finally, the flakes were reworked into various forms, including scrapers, points and knives. |
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Term
| Homo sapiens (timing, range, morphology) |
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Definition
| 195,000 years ago to present. Europe, Australia, Southeast Asia, China, Near East(Israel), and Africa, in essence most of the Old World. Have a vertical forehead, relatively small browridges, canine fossa(depression on the outside of the upper jaw above the canine teeth), pyramidal mastoid process, and a definite chin. |
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Term
| Omo I (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| the oldest modern human found anywhere. Two crania were found Omo 1(more modern looking) and Omo 2(more robust, less modern looking). Omo 1 is dated to 195,000 years ago, Omo 2 seemingly of the same age but not necessarily. |
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Term
| Herto, Ethiopia (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| The best preserved modern H. sapien cranium yet found and also the most well dated of its period. A cranium was found and dated: 160,000-154,000 years ago |
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Term
| Skhul 5 – Israel (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| thought to be representatives of early modern H. sapiens, the vault height, forehead, and lack of prognathasm are all modern traits. At least 10 individuals were found one of which was Skhul 5. Skhul (meaning the site and including Skhul 5) is dated: 130,000 - 100,000 years ago |
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Term
| Qafzeh 6 – Israel (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| Large sample which is definitely modern, although some individuals are fairly robust. At least 20 individuals were found one of which was Qafzeh 6. Qafzeh ( once again meaning the site and including Qafzeh 6) is dated: 120,000 - 92,000 years ago |
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Term
| Dolni Vestonice (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| represent good examples of early modern H. sapiens in central Europe. A cranium was found and dated to about 26,000 years ago. |
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Term
| Cro Magnon (significance, what found, when from) |
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Definition
| According to the book, the significance is that this is the earliest evidence of modern humans in France, According to Prof. Nelson and the notes in Lecture it is because this is the original model for an Upper Paleolithic "race" of Europeans. The book mentions this but goes on to say it is invalid(see pg. 417). |
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Term
| Complete Replacement Model |
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Definition
| "Out of Africa", recent African Evolution. Developed by British paleoanthropologists Christopher Stringer and Peter Andrews. Proposes anatomically modern populations arose in Africa in the last 200 ky. Migrated from Africa, completely replacing populations in Europe and Asia. Does not accont for the transition from archiac H. sapiens to modern H. sapiens anywhere except Africa. Between 100-200 kya, modern humans arose in Africa and spread outward to replace Neanderthals and other pre-modern humans. Little or no gene flow between Neanderthals. |
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Term
| Regional Continuity Model |
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Definition
| -(Associated with paleoanthropologists Milford and Wilpoff of the University of Michigan) Populations in Europe, Asia and Africa continued evolutionary development from Archaic H. sapiens to anatomically modern humans. Gene flow links human populations H. erectus/egaster eveolves in modern H. sapiens. Regional variation apparent amongst different human populations. Morphological resembllances exist between modern humans and archaic H. sapiens in each region because of a continuous line of descent. |
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Term
| Partial Replacement Model |
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Definition
| (Poposed by Gunter Brauer of the University of Hamburg) Postulates the earliest dates for African modern H. sapiens at over 100 kya. initial dispersal of H. sapiens sapiens from S. Africa was influenced by environmental conditions. Moving into Eurasia, modern humans hybridized with resident groups, eventually replacing them. The disappearance of archaic humans was due to hybridization and replacement. |
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Term
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Definition
| DNA found in the mitochondria. Mitochondrial DNA is only inherited form the mother. |
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Term
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Definition
| (95,000-13,000 ya) Southeast Asia, Flores (Indonesia). H. floresiensis. Late survival of very small-bodied and small-brained hominin on island of Flores; designated as different species from modern humans. |
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Term
| Emergence of art (significant dates and locations) |
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Definition
| (pages 426-428) 1) Dolni Vestonice and Predmosti: (27,000-26,000 ya in the Czech Republic) Found small animal figures were fashioned from fire clay, ceramic technology. 2)Lascaux Cave (France) immense wild bulls=Great Wall of Bulls; and horses and deer, and other animals were drawn in yellow, black , red. 3) Altamira (Spain) walls and ceilings filled with bisons in red and black. Images can reflect religous or magical, visual communication, or simply art. 4) Grotte Chauvet ( France, 35,000 ya through radiocarbon dating, during the "Aurignacian") Images include dots, stenciled human handprints, many animals representation 5) Apollo 11 Rock shelter site (Africa Namibia, 28,000 & 26,000 ya) painted slabs. |
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Term
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Definition
| (1) A portion is removed from the core (2) the objective is to create a flat surface called striking platform (3) the core is struck by the use of a hammer and punch (made of bone or antler) to remove the long narrow flakes called blades (4) Or the blades can be removed by pressure flaking (5) The result/product can be used as knives or other tools. |
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Term
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Definition
| good examples of Upper Paleolithic skill and likely aesthetic appreciation as well. In this Lithic (stone) tradition, stoneknapping developed to the finest degree. Using specialized techniques, the artist/technicians made parallel-flaked lance heads on both surfaces. Some lance points were considered as a work of art due to it's delicacy and were not utilized.(pg 425) |
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Term
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Definition
| Pertaining to the final phase of Upper Paleolithic stone tool industry in Europe ( highly advanced) |
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Term
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Definition
| was the earliest industry of the Upper Palaeolithic in central and south western France, extending also into Northern Spain. It derives its name from the site of la Grotte des Fées, in Châtelperron, Allier, France. It arose from the earlier, Mousterian industry. It made use of the Levallois technique of lithic reduction (stone-knapping) and lasted from between c. 35,000 and c. 29,000 BP. |
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