Bigger BrainsHomo Habilis 2.4-1.6 myaOldowan tool Tradition 2.6-1.6 myaOldowan tools: What for?Homo ErectusHomo ergaster SkeletonLower Paleolithic: Acheulian ToolsDmanisi, Georgia (Homo erectus?)ANTY 101D 1st Edition Lecture 16Bigger BrainsHomo Habilis and Homo Erectus Homo Habilis 2.4-1.6 mya-Larger Brains; cc 600-700• More globular skull shape-Highly variable; species?• H. rudolfensis; larger brains/bigger-Found all over Africa (E & S)-Taller; still long upper arms-Face & Jaw• reduced prognathism• smaller molars & canines• Teeth less specialized -Robust hands; Thumbs• Precision grip -First Oldowan tool user 1Oldowan tool Tradition 2.6-1.6 mya -Early stone age OR “Lower Paleolithic”• East & South Africa-Percussion flaking • COres & hammerstones• Choppers & flakes• Acute angles-Biocultural Adaptation • Simple tools • Required panning • Raw materials v. gathering range Oldowan tools: What for?-More omnivorous diet: grasses, nuts, tubers, etc.-More meat & marrow!• How are they getting their meat?• Scavenging; larger territories (warmer climate/ grasslands)• Hypotheses about resources-Tracks as symbols…-Changes in diet (gut & brain)2-Social Life: communication, cooperation, competition • Cooperative behavior: Apes v. Humans-Teaching/learning & communication -Food sharing; transport of tools/food to home base-Individuals: relations and positions in society • Brain size —> group size -Habilis= 82; Australopiths= 62Homo Erectus-First to leave Africa -Bigger brains-Smaller jaws -New technologies• Aechulian tools• Butchering marks• Fire?-Diverse species• Asia v. Africa -Skull long, low & thick; receding chin & forehead -Brow ridges, saggital keel, reduced prognathism3-Rounded skull base; lower larynx (vocalizations?)-Brain organization ?Homo ergaster Skeleton -Nariokotome Boy, Lake Turkana, Kenya (9-12 yrs old); 1.6 may 1984 Richard Leakey-Modern body proportions:• 5’3” tall; faster maturity • Long legs; narrow hips and chest • Short forearms; less sexual dimorphism • Big heads; post natal dependency -Social group and mating behavior?-Grandmother hypothesis • Communcation = Language?• Long distance running…-Body proportions and booty-Body hair and sweat glands Lower Paleolithic: Acheulian Tools -1.5 mya-300,000 ya• Used by Homo erectus/ergaster -Hand axes (teardrop shape):4• Standard, stable design; size varies • Core tool; bifacial • Soft hammer; thinning flakes-More cutting edge; more “efficient”• Uses: Butchering, diggering, projectiles-Found west of ‘Movious Line’• In Africa, Near east 1.6 mya • Europe: 500K• East Asian: Bamboo?Dmanisi, Georgia (Homo erectus?)-1.77 mya— earliest outside of Africa!• 400-600 cc-Challenges ideas of separate Homo species!• Intra-species variation -1.85 mya tools • Oldowan -Arms, shoulders, and elbows like Austrlopiths -Crania, spine, lower limbs and feet like Homo species
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