What was Homo erectus like? What were they like physically, and what do we know of their behaviors, tools, etc.?
Homo erectus, also referred to as the “upright man” was the earliest known early human to possess the characteristics of the modern man. Unlike its predecessors, Homo erectus was bipedal, that is, they were the first humans in the evolution line to walk in two legs with an upright posture (Science & Technology). They had the biggest brains, in proportion to their body sizes, as compared to their predecessors. They also had longer legs and sorter arms. This was because they had reduced their adaptation towards tree climbing. They also had a larger variation in heights as compared to other primate humans.
When did the species Homo erectus first appear on earth, according to our current information?
Homo erectus are believed to have occupied the African savanna from as early as 2 million years ago to 200,000 years ago before they evolved to Homo sapiens.
How did Homo erectus hunt? How was the relative absence of body hair important to their survival?
Hunting was done in various ways. Most importantly, hunting was done in a communal way. They used sharp tools and traps to hunt their prey. They also used fire which scared the animals so that they can run into a trap such a deep hole. The Turkana Boy, having well developed bipedal, was able to run faster in their hunting quest. They lacked hair on their bodies because they were adapting to easier ways of perspiration and emitting excess heat during hunting.
How was sociality important to their survival, i.e., how was group cooperation and communication important to Homo erectus flourishing as a species?
Sociality for Homo erectus came as a result of coming together in a common fire place. They had discovered fire and they realized that fire can be used for softening food as well as scaring away predators. By coming together in the fire places, they were able to protect themselves from other carnivores. They also hunted together increasing their ability to catch more prey for food.
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?
Old discoveries pointed out that the Turkana Boy migrated from Africa approximately a million years ago. However, new discoveries have shown that there were more primitive humans in the Asian continent than the Turkana Boys. It is estimated that the migration started more than 1.8 million years ago (Science & Technology). This was the very time Homo erectus emerged. Homo erectus, therefore started migrating immediately after their emergence.
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 floresiensis is estimated to have occurred between 95,000 – 12,000 years ago. They were more primitive with less brain capacity of about 400 cc (Science & Technology). Their small size and poor brain development have been attributed to “island dwarfism”. Island dwarfism occur as a result of isolation in the islands where there are limited food resulting poor growth and development.
Work Sited
Science & Technology. "Becoming Human - Episode 2 - Birth of Humanity (Homo Erectus)." YouTube. YouTube, 20 Aug. 2014. Web. 23 May 2016.
