Hominid Evolution: Exploring Homo sapiens and Climate Impact

For this assignment, you will choose two species from two different hominid genuses (Homo, Paranthropus, Australopithacus, and Ardipithecus) and get to know them. Start at the Human Family Tree on the Smithsonian Institution’s human origins website: https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-family-tree . Choose ONE hominid from any group to focus on. 1. Type your hominid’s scientific name here: Scientific Name: Homo sapiens 2. When and where did this hominid live? Homo sapiens, or modern humans, is the only surviving species of the genus Homo and has been around for about 300,000 years. They are native to Africa and the earliest fossils date back about 200,000 years. Over time, Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa and eventually spread globally, inhabiting every continent. 3. What is one interesting fact about this hominid? An interesting fact about Homo sapiens is that they evolved a unique combination of physical and behavioral traits, many of which also possessed other early human species, though not to the same extent. similarity. What sets Homo sapiens apart is the remarkable development of a complex brain. The evolution of brain complexity has allowed modern humans to interact with each other and with their environment in completely new and different ways. It fostered the development of a complex language, culture, and technology, allowing them to communicate,

plan, innovate, and collaborate on a level no other hominid has achieved. This cognitive and behavioral complexity paved the way for the development of sophisticated social, artistic and advanced tools, eventually leading to the dominance of Homo sapiens as the only species left remnants of the genus Homo. 4. Next, go to http://news.google.com and type your hominid’s scientific name. Find a news article that mentions your hominid. What did you learn from this news article? https://studyfinds.org/climate-change-bigger-brains/ The article discusses a study led by Professor Bruce Petersen of Washington University in St. Louis, suggesting that prehistoric climate change may have contributed to the increased brain size of human ancestors. Here are the main points from the article: The impact of climate change: The study explores the impact of climate change on early humans and proposes that it caused a dramatic increase in brain size and intelligence around a million years ago. Active mating (PAM): During extreme glacial periods, research shows an increase in active mating types, meaning animals, including early humans, tend to choose mates more like them. This increase in PAM is due to the growing importance of items such as fire, food, and shelter. Simulations and assumptions: The study used simulations based on existing knowledge of ancient hominids, focusing on hominid evolution between 300,000 and 700,000 years ago. The study hypothesized the effects of climate change and mating types on brain size and intelligence. Complicated perception:

Research shows that a set of "family-produced public goods," including fire, shelter, conversation, and parenting, became important for survival during ice ages. hard. This leads to the selection of more intelligent couples, perhaps accelerating progress in language and fire control. Selective pressure: The model proposed in the study indicates that periods of severe climate change will lead to active mating, in which intelligent pairs will be more likely to survive. Conversely, this may have exerted selective pressure on behaviors such as language and gun control. Economic principles: The study applies economic principles to explain human evolution, particularly the role of sexual preference, climate change and intelligence. This suggests that the dimorphic decline in body size in Homo species may have continued until the Homo heidelbergensis period. In summary, the study considers climate change as one of the main reasons for the evolution of human intelligence. It highlights the role of sexual selection and parental cooperation, combined with extreme glacial periods, as key drivers of this evolution. Next, choose a different hominid. Again, start at the Human Family Tree on the Smithsonian Institution’s human origins website: https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-family-tree . Choose ONE hominid from a different group to focus on. Be sure to choose a different genus (i.e., choose a different tree branch. 5. Type your hominid’s scientific name here:

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Scientific Name: Homo erectus 6. When and where did this hominid live? Homo erectus is believed to have lived from approximately 1.9 million years ago to around 110,000 years ago. They had a wide geographical distribution, with fossil evidence found in Northern, Eastern, and Southern Africa; East Asia (Dmanisi, -Republic of Georgia); East Asia (China and Indonesia); and potentially other regions. 7. What is one interesting fact about this hominid? One fascinating aspect of Homo erectus is their ability to adapt and innovate in the material and technological aspects of life: Modern human body proportions: The first African fossils of Homo erectus had modern, human-like proportions with relatively long legs and shorter arms relative to body size. This suggests an adaptation to a more terrestrial lifestyle, indicating a change from the previous tree- climbing adaptation. Use fire: Homo erectus is believed to be one of the first hominids to master the controlled use of fire. Evidence of the use of fire and cooking has been found in several Homo erectus sites. These advances in firefighting will have important implications for their diet, protection from predators and social interactions. Major improvements to the first stone tool: Homo erectus is associated with the first major innovation in stone tool technology. Known as the Acheulean stone tool industry, it

involved the creation of large cutting tools such as axes and milling cutters. This technology can contribute to their ability to adapt and survive in a changing environment. Lifespan: Homo erectus is considered to be one of the earliest living human species, outliving about nine times longer than our species, Homo sapiens, has existed. Their ability to adapt and thrive in diverse environments has contributed to their longevity in the evolutionary timeline. Homo erectus represents an important species in human evolution, exhibiting adaptations in the form of physics, tool technology, and the ability to control fire. They are considered one of our closest ancestors and played an important role in the development of the human lineage. 8. Next, go to http://news.google.com and type your hominid’s name. Find a news article that mentions your hominid. What did you learn from this news article? https://www.thecollector.com/homo-erectus-most-successful-humans/ Based on the information provided in the article titled "Homo Erectus: The Most Successful Human?", here is what I have learned: Homo erectus as an evolutionary achievement: Homo erectus is considered to be the most evolutionarily successful human species. They lived for about 1.5 million years, making them one of the longest living early humans. Evolutionary Origins: Homo erectus is thought to have evolved from Homo habilis, the first species classified in the genus Homo.

Geographic distribution: Homo erectus has a wide geographical distribution, with evidence of its existence being found in many parts of Africa and Eurasia. Physical properties: Individuals of Homo erectus were slightly shorter and lighter than modern humans, but could reach more than 6 feet tall. They have prominent brow lines, sloping foreheads, and protruding chins (protruding features of the mouth). Their cranial capacity ranged from about 550 to 1,250 cubic centimeters, and their skeletal structure was similar to that of modern humans. Technological advances: Homo erectus is associated with significant advances in stone tool technology, including the creation of tools such as scrapers, hand axes, milling cutters, milling cutters, and hammers. They are considered to have shown the beginnings of human imagination and the ability to imagine tools for a variety of purposes. Controlling the use of fire: Homo erectus is noted for having the ability to use controlled fire, providing a number of benefits, including cooking food, repelling predators, and facilitating social interactions. The use of fire may have contributed to the development of complex ideas and language. Show compassion: There is archaeological evidence that some subspecies of Homo erectus, such as Homo erectus georgicus, were philanthropic. For example, the skull of a toothless individual was found to have traces of food pre-chewed for it, which shows the care and support of the group. The end of Homo erectus:

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The lineage of Homo erectus finally ended around 117,000 years before the species went extinct. At the time Homo sapiens was evolving, Homo erectus, which had evolved 1.5 million years earlier, was still present on Earth. Cultural influences: Homo erectus' long existence in the evolutionary timeline contributed to the development of social and cultural activities, including storytelling and social interactions around campfires. These practices may have influenced the complexity of human speech and social abilities. To conclude, Homo erectus represents a remarkable chapter in human evolution, marked by adaptability, technological progress, controlled use of fire, and even evidence of compassion. Their enduring presence in the archaeological record has left a lasting impact on human culture and evolution. The final questions ask you to compare the two hominids you’ve chosen. 9. In complete sentences, list three things your two hominids have in common. Homo sapiens and Homo erectus were bipedal, that is, they walked on two legs. This adaptation allowed them to free their hands for tool use and other activities, contributing to their evolutionary success. Homo sapiens and Homo erectus are associated with the controlled use of fire. The ability to use fire for a variety of purposes, such as cooking food, keeping warm, and warding off predators, is a significant technological advance in both lines. Homo sapiens and Homo erectus were tool makers. They created and used stone tools to perform various tasks such as cutting, shaving, and skinning. Tool use and technological advancement are key features of their respective cultures.

10. In complete sentences, list three differences between your two hominids. Homo erectus is much older in terms of evolutionary history, living about 1.5 million years ago. In contrast, Homo sapiens has only been around for about 300,000 years, making Homo erectus a much more ancient species. Homo sapiens generally has a larger skull capacity than Homo erectus. While Homo erectus had a skull volume ranging from about 550 to 1,250 cubic centimeters, modern Homo sapiens typically had a skull volume of about 1,400 to 1,500 cubic centimeters. Homo sapiens is known for its advanced culture, which includes complex society, art, symbolic expression, and language. Homo erectus, while exhibiting advances in tool making and controlled use of fire, did not reach the same level of cultural complexity as Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens is characterized by the ability to create complex societies with diverse cultural and linguistic practices.

References Homo erectus: The most successful human? (2023, August 22). TheCollector. https://www.thecollector.com/homo-erectus-most-successful-humans/ Homo sapiens . (2021, January 22). The Smithsonian Institution's Human Origins Program. https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-sapiens StudyFinds. (2023, August 2). Climate change in prehistoric times gave our ancestors bigger brains, study explains . Study Finds. https://studyfinds.org/climate-change-bigger-brains /

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