What was Homo erectus like? What were they like physically, and what do we know of their behaviors, tools, etc.?
The Homo erectus had a long low skull, thick brow ridges, a small brain, and a big jaw. Their legs and arms were short, and they were 5 ft. 3 inches tall. They had narrower hips, which increased their speed. They were hunters and toolmakers. They had simple tools such as the hand axe, which was used for hunting.
2. When did the species Homo erectus first appear on earth, according to our current information?
The Homo erectus first appeared on earth 1,300,000 years ago in East African Rift Valley.
3. How did Homo erectus hunt? How was the relative absence of body hair important to their survival?
The Homo erectus hunted during the day, making use of the daylight. The absence of air was important because it allowed the bodies of the Homo erectus to cool down, as air; circulation was made possible through the air pores on the body. Homo erectus were meat eaters and had smaller teeth than the Homo habilis. They hunted with coarse crude tools.
4. How was sociality important to their survival, i.e., how was group cooperation and communication important to Homo erectus flourishing as a species?
The Homo erectus valued sociality. They developed social instincts as their brain sizes increased. They facilitated group cooperation through creating fires. Relationships were created around fires as they waited for the food to cook ("Becoming Human - Episode 2 - Birth of Humanity (Homo Erectus)", 2016).
5. At the ~35:00 mark of the program, we have a discussion of Homo erectus’ migration out of Africa. Approximately, how long ago did this take place?
Scientists believe that the migration of Homo erectus from Africa began 1.8 million years ago.
6. At the ~39:35 mark, the program begins discussing the fascinating species Homo floresiensis. What is noteworthy about this recent find? What do the narrators mean when they mention “island dwarfism”?
Homo florensiesis existed after ‘Lucy’, but before human bodies became more modern. Its discovery signified the existence of a primitive version of the Homo erectus shedding more light into evolution. They are more remarkable because they had a small brain but managed it far away from Africa. Tools were found in the cave where it was discovered. It was discovered that its size was due to island dwarfism, a condition it had suffered from. Island dwarfism refers to the shrinking of an animal due to limited food and isolation from the rest of the world.
References
Becoming Human - Episode 2 - Birth of Humanity (Homo Erectus). (2016). YouTube. Retrieved 23 May 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuT7N5aoP48
