HUMAN EVOLUTION SERIES 7 : Homo heidelbergensis

 

Reconstruction and Animation of Heidelbergensis Pair

Homo heidelbergensis:

Discovery Date: 1908

Where Lived: Europe; possibly Asia (China); Africa (eastern and southern)

When Lived: About 700,000 to 200,000 years ago.

Height: Males: average 5 ft 9 in (175 cm); Females: average 5 ft 2 in (157 cm)

Weight: Males: average 136 lbs (62 kg); Females: average 112 lbs (51 kg)

Reconstruction Heildelbergensis pair in 3DS Max

Overview:

This early human species had a very large browridge, and a larger braincase and flatter face than older early human species. It was the first early human species to live in colder climates; their ­­­short, wide bodies were likely an adaptation to conserving heat. It lived at the time of the oldest definite control of fire and use of wooden spears, and it was the first early human species to routinely hunt large animals. This early human also broke new ground; it was the first species to build shelters, creating simple dwellings out of wood and rock.

 

homo-heidelbergensis-reconstruction

History of Discovery:

In 1908 near Heidelberg, Germany, a workman found the type specimen of  H. heidelbergensis in the Rösch sandpit just north of the village of Mauer. This mandible was nearly complete except for the missing premolars and first two left molars; it is heavily built and lacks a chin. German scientist Otto Schoentensack was the first to describe the specimen and proposed the species name Homo heidelbergensis.

Before the naming of this species, scientists referred to early human fossils showing traits similar to both Homo erectus and modern humans as ‘archaic’ Homo sapiens.

 

Natural_History_Museum_

How They Survived:

There is evidence that H. heidelbergensis was capable of controlling fire by building hearths, or early fireplaces, by 790,000 years ago in the form of fire-altered tools and burnt wood at the site of Gesher Benot Ya-aqov in Israel. Why did they come together at these early hearths? Perhaps to socialize, to find comfort and warmth, to share food and information, and to find safety from predators.

 

H. heidelbergensis probably took advantage of natural shelters but this species was also the first to build simple shelters. Evidence for this comes from the site of Terra Amata, France.

H. heidelbergensis was also the first hunter of large game animals; remains of animals such as wild deer, horses, elephants, hippos, and rhinos with butchery marks on their bones have been found together at sites with H. heidelbergensis fossils. Evidence for this also comes from 400,000 year old wooden spears found at the site of Schöningen, Germany, which were found together with stone tools and the remains of more than 10 butchered horses.

One site in Atapuerca, northern Spain, dating to about 400,000 years ago, shows evidence of what may be human ritual. Scientists have found bones of roughly 30 H. heidelbergensis individuals deliberately thrown inside a pit. The pit has been named Sima  de los Huesos (‘Pit of Bones’). Alongside the skeletal remains, scientists uncovered a single well-made symmetrical handaxe —illustrating the tool-making ability of H. heidelbergensis.

 

Evolutionary Tree Information:

This species may reach back to 1.3 million years ago, and include early humans from Spain (‘Homo antecessor’ fossils and archeological evidence from 800,000 to 1.3 million years old), England (archeological remains back to about 1 million years old), and Italy (from the site of Ceprano, possibly as old as 1 million years).

Comparison of Neanderthal and modern human DNA suggests that the two lineages diverged from a common ancestor, most likely Homo heidelbergensis, sometime between 350,000 and 400,000 years ago – with the European branch leading to H. neanderthalensis and the African branch (sometimes called Homo rhodesiensis) to H. sapiens.

Homo heidelbergensis is an extinct species or subspecies of archaic human which existed from around 600,000 to 300,000 years ago, during the Middle Pleistocene. Homo heidelbergensis was widely considered the most recent common ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals, but this view has been increasingly disputed since the late 2010s.

 

In the Middle Pleistocene, brain size and height were comparable to modern humans. Like Neanderthals, H. heidelbergensis had a wide chest and robust frame.

 

Fire likely became an integral part of daily life after 400,000 years ago, and this roughly coincides with more permanent and widespread occupation of Europe (above 45°N), and the appearance of hafting technology to create spears.[1] H. heidelbergensis may have been able to carry out coordinated hunting strategies, and consequently they seem to have had a higher consumption of meat.

 

It is debated whether or not to constrain H. heidelbergensis to only Europe or to also include African and Asian specimens, and this is further confounded by the type specimen (Mauer 1) being a jawbone, because jawbones feature few diagnostic traits and are generally missing among Middle Pleistocene specimens.

 

H. heidelbergensis was subsumed in 1950 as a subspecies of H. erectus but today it is more widely classified as its own species. H. heidelbergensis is regarded as a chronospecies, evolving from an African form of H. erectus (sometimes called H. ergaster).

The first fossil, Mauer 1 (a jawbone), was discovered by a worker in Mauer, southeast of Heidelberg, Germany, in 1907. It was formally described the next year by German anthropologist Otto Schoetensack, who made it the type specimen of a new species, Homo heidelbergensis. He split this off as a new species primarily because of the mandible's archaicness—in particular its enormous size—and it was the then-oldest human jaw in the European fossil record at 640,000 years old. The mandible is well preserved, missing only the left premolars, part of the first left molar, the tip of the left coronoid process (at the jaw hinge), and fragments of the mid-section: the jaw was found in two pieces and had to be glued together. It may have belonged to a young adult based on slight wearing on the 3rd molar.

In 1921, the skull Kabwe 1 was discovered by Swiss miner Tom Zwiglaar in Kabwe, Zambia (at the time Broken Hill, Northern Rhodesia); it was assigned to a new species, "H. rhodesiensis", by English palaeontologist Arthur Smith Woodward.

Build

The human body plan had evolved in H. ergaster, and characterises all later Homo species, but among the more derived members there are two distinct morphs: A narrow-chested and gracile build like modern humans, and a broader-chested and robust build like Neanderthals. It was once assumed that the Neanderthal build was unique to Neanderthals based on the gracile H. ergaster partial skeleton "KNM WT-15000" ("Turkana Boy"), but the discovery of some Middle Pleistocene skeletal elements (though generally fragmentary and few and far between) seems to suggest Middle Pleistocene humans overall featured a more Neanderthal morph. Thus, the modern human morph may be unique to modern humans, evolving quite recently. This is most clearly demonstrated in the exceptionally well-preserved SH assemblage. Based on skull robustness, it was assumed Middle Pleistocene humans featured a high degree of sexual dimorphism, but the SH humans demonstrate a modern humanlike level.

The SH humans and other Middle Pleistocene Homo have a more basal pelvis and femur (more similar to earlier Homo than Neanderthals). The overall broad and elliptical pelvis is broader, taller and thicker (expanded anteroposteriorly) than those of Neanderthals or modern humans, and retains an anteriorly located acetabulocristal buttress (which supports the iliac crests during hip abduction), a well defined supraacetabular groove (between the hip socket and the ilium), and a thin and rectangular superior pubic ramus (as opposed to the thick, stout one in modern humans). The foot of all archaic humans has a taller trochlea of the ankle bone, making the ankle more flexible (specifically dorsiflexion and plantarflexion).

3DS Max File of Homo heidelbergensis

HUMAN EVOLUTION SERIES 6: Homo neanderthalensis

 

Reconstruction of NEANDERTHAL PAIR animation in 3D max

Group of Neanderthal People walking

Homo neanderthalensis:

Height: Males: average 5 ft 5 in (164 cm); Females: average 5 ft 1 in (155 cm)

Weight: Males: average 143 lbs (65 kg); Females: average 119 lbs (54 kg)

Overview:

Neanderthals (the ‘th’ pronounced as ‘t’) are our closest extinct human relative. Some defining features of their skulls include the large middle part of the face, angled cheek bones, and a huge nose for humidifying and warming cold, dry air. Their bodies were shorter and stockier than ours, another adaptation to living in cold environments. But their brains were just as large as ours and often larger - proportional to their brawnier bodies.

Reconstructed Neanderthal Pair in 3D Max

Neanderthals made and used a diverse set of sophisticated tools, controlled fire, lived in shelters, made and wore clothing, were skilled hunters of large animals and also ate plant foods, and occasionally made symbolic or ornamental objects. There is evidence that Neanderthals deliberately buried their dead and occasionally even marked their graves with offerings, such as flowers. No other primates, and no earlier human species, had ever practiced this sophisticated and symbolic behavior.

DNA has been recovered from more than a dozen Neanderthal fossils, all from Europe; the Neanderthal Genome Project is one of the exciting new areas of human origins research.

History of Discovery:

Neanderthal 1 was the first specimen to be recognized as an early human fossil. When it was discovered in 1856 in Germany, scientists had never seen a specimen like it: the oval shaped skull with a low, receding forehead and distinct browridges, the thick, strong bones. In 1864, it became the first fossil hominin species to be named. Geologist William King suggested the name Homo neanderthalensis (Johanson and Edgar, 2006), after these fossils found in the Feldhofer Cave of the Neander Valley in Germany (tal—a modern form of thal—means “valley” in German). Several years after Neanderthal 1 was discovered, scientists realized that prior fossil discoveries—in 1829 at Engis, Belgium, and in 1848 at Forbes Quarry, Gibraltar—were also Neanderthals. Even though they weren’t recognized at the time, these two earlier discoveries were actually the first early human fossils ever found.

neanderthal cave

 

How They Survived:

Compared to early humans living in tropical Africa, with more abundant edible plant foods available year-round, the number of plant foods Neanderthals could eat would have dropped significantly during the winter of colder climates, forcing Neanderthals to exploit other food options like meat more heavily. There is evidence that Neanderthals were specialized seasonal hunters, eating animals were available at the time (i.e. reindeer in the winter and red deer in the summer). Scientists have clear evidence of Neanderthal hunting from uncovering sharp wooden spears and large numbers of big game animal remains were hunted and butchered by Neanderthals. There is also evidence from Gibraltar that when they lived in coastal areas, they exploited marine resources such as mollusks, seals, dolphins and fish. Isotopic chemical analyses of Neanderthal bones also tell scientists the average Neanderthal’s diet consisted of a lot of meat. Scientists have also found plaque on the remains of molar teeth containing starch grains—concrete evidence that Neanderthals ate plants.

 

The Mousterian stone tool industry of Neanderthals is characterized by sophisticated flake tools that were detached from a prepared stone core. This innovative technique allowed flakes of predetermined shape to be removed and fashioned into tools from a single suitable stone. This technology differs from earlier ‘core tool’ traditions, such as the Acheulean tradition of Homo erectus. Acheulean tools worked from a suitable stone that was chipped down to tool form by the removal of flakes off the surface.

 

The original Neanderthal skeleton from the Neander Valley

Neanderthals used tools for activities like hunting and sewing. Left-right arm asymmetry indicates that they hunted with thrusting (rather than throwing) spears that allowed them to kill large animals from a safe distance. Neanderthal bones have a high frequency of fractures, which (along with their distribution) are similar to injuries among professional rodeo riders who regularly interact with large, dangerous animals. Scientists have also recovered scrapers and awls (larger stone or bone versions of the sewing needle that modern humans use today) associated with animal bones at Neanderthal sites. A Neanderthal would probably have used a scraper to first clean the animal hide, and then used an awl to poke holes in it, and finally use strips of animal tissue to lace together a loose-fitting garment. Neanderthals were the first early humans to wear clothing, but it is only with modern humans that scientists find evidence of the manufacture and use of bone sewing needles to sew together tighter fitting clothing.

Neanderthals also controlled fire, lived in shelters, and occasionally made symbolic or ornamental objects. There is evidence that Neanderthals deliberately buried their dead and occasionally even marked their graves with offerings, such as flowers. No other primates, and no earlier human species, had ever practiced this sophisticated and symbolic behavior. This may be one of the reasons that the Neanderthal fossil record is so rich compared to some earlier human species; being buried greatly increases the chance of becoming a fossil!

Evolutionary Tree Information:

Both fossil and genetic evidence indicate that Neanderthals and modern humans (Homo sapiens) evolved from a common ancestor between 700,000 and 300,000 years ago. Neanderthals and modern humans belong to the same genus (Homo) and inhabited the same geographic areas in western Asia for 30,000–50,000 years; genetic evidence indicate while they interbred with non-African modern humans, they ultimately became distinct branches of the human family tree (separate species).

In fact, Neanderthals and modern humans may have had little direct interaction for tens of thousands of years until during one very cold period when modern humans spread into Europe. Their presence may have prevented Neanderthals from expanding back into areas they once favored and served as a catalyst for the Neanderthal’s impending extinction. Over just a few thousand years after modern humans moved into Europe, Neanderthal numbers dwindled to the point of extinction. All traces of Neanderthals disappeared by about 40,000 years ago. The most recently dated Neanderthal fossils come from small areas of western Europe and the Near east, which was likely where the last population of this early human species existed.

Hunting technology

Great strides have been made in understanding Neanderthal hunting technology. Neanderthals were consummate hunters of medium and large-sized mammals. There is evidence that they used stone-tipped spears to hunt. For instance, it has been observed that Levallois points often bear impact scars on their tips (Shea 1988). In addition, retouched Mousterian points from several sites in western Europe (La Cotte de St. Brelade, Bouheben, Oscurusciuto, and Abric del Pastor) have been identified as bearing impact scars too (Villa & Soriano 2010). These stone-tipped spears were probably used at close-range for thrusting, or thrown short distances as part of an ambush hunting strategy — neither the stone points nor the features of Neanderthal anatomy support the notion that Neanderthals used long-distance projectiles (Shea & Sisk 2010, Churchill & Schmitt 2002, Rhodes & Churchill 2008).

there is evidence that Neanderthals incorporated smaller animals and plant foods into their diets too. For instance, Neanderthals collected small game such as tortoises, shellfish, hares, rabbits, and birds in the Mediterranean region, and this trend increased dramatically just prior to or within the MP/UP transition (Stiner 2006). At the site of Vanguard Cave, Gibraltar, a small assemblage of mollusks was found, in addition to a few marine mammal bones (monk seal and dolphin) with cut-marks, indicating that Neanderthals exploited marine resources when they had the opportunity (Stringer et al. 2008).

Symbolism

One of the most pressing questions about Neanderthals is whether they had symbolic thought. Symbolic thought is widely agreed to be one of the hallmarks of modern (McBrearty & Brooks 2000) or complex (Langley et al. 2008) human behavior. It is also associated with the cognitive underpinnings of language (Chase 1991, Deacon 1997). Archaeologically, symbolism may be manifested as figurative art, ornamentation, use of pigments, and ritual burial (d'Errico et al. 2003, McBrearty & Brooks 2000, Mellars 2005, Langley et al. 2008). While there is no figurative art associated with Neanderthals, personal ornaments such as pierced or grooved animal teeth and ivory rings have been found at the Châtelperronian sites of Saint-Césaire and Arcy-sur-Cure, France (Lévêque et al. 1993, Hublin et al. 1996). However, as mentioned above, the question remains of whether Neanderthals were the makers of the Châtelperronian (Bar-Yosef & Bordes 2010). If they were not, then there is no other evidence indicating that they made ornaments. Mineral pigments are often used in symbolic contexts among humans today, but their chemical properties make them useful in activities such as hide tanning and for tool-hafting (Hovers et al. 2003). There is evidence that Neanderthals used mineral pigments such as red ochre (hematite) and manganese dioxide at several sites in Europe, including Pech de l'Azé I, France (d'Errico 2003), and Cueva de los Aviones and Cueva Antón, Spain (Zilhao et al. 2009). However, we do not know whether this pigment use was symbolic or not. Neanderthals most likely buried their dead, as evidenced from the presence of articulated Neanderthal skeletons found in dozens of sites (Langley et al. 2008, Riel-Salvatore & Clark 2001) (Figure 3). While some have argued that these skeletons were preserved by natural causes, such as cave roof collapses (Gargett 1989, 1999), rather than deliberately buried, there is general consensus that the completeness of the skeletons validates an interpretation of deliberate burial (Belfer-Cohen & Hovers 1992, d'Errico 2003). The lack of clear grave goods associated with these burials, however, lends doubt to the issue of whether these are symbolic burials, although they do indicate caring for the deceased beyond what is seen in non-human primates (Chase & Dibble 1987). The suggestion that Neanderthals at Shanidar Cave, Iraq, were buried with flowers has never been substantiated. While flower pollen was found in sediments near the burials, it could have been introduced by rodents such as the Persion Jird, which is known to gather flowers and bring them back to its burrow (Sommer 1999). In sum, there is evidence to suggest that Neanderthals had some level of symbolic thought. The use of mineral pigments, the presence of burials, and other indicators of behavioral complexity, such as composite technology, become more frequent after 60,000 ya (Langley et al. 2008), suggesting that behavioral complexity and symbolic thought may have emerged as a component of Neanderthal adaptations towards the end of their existence as a species.

The Fate of the Neanderthals

The transition from the Middle to the Upper Paleolithic in Europe also marks the transition from a time of Neanderthal occupation to that of modern humans. It is widely accepted that modern humans first arrived in Europe from the southeast, bearing the Aurignacian culture, and replaced the Neanderthals. The latest MP assemblages have been documented in the Iberian peninsula at sites such as Gorham's Cave, Gibraltar at 28,000 ya (Finlayson 2006; but see Zilhao and Pettitt 2006 for a critique of these dates), and it has been suggested that the Neanderthals were "pushed" to this cul-de-sac by the invading modern humans, deteriorating climatic conditions, or both. Some have argued that the colder and highly variable climate of oxygen isotope stage 3 (57–24,000 ya; van Andel & Davies 2003, Finlayson & Carrion 2007) resulted in periods of climatic stress which may ultimately have been responsible for the demise of the Neanderthals (Stringer et al. 2003) through mechanisms such as the fragmentation of Neanderthal-favored habitats and their inability to adapt to new habitats (Finlayson 2004). Others have suggested that the Campanian Ignimbrite volcanic eruption at 40,000 ya initiated a volcanic winter that had a devastating effect on the ecology of eastern and southeastern Europe (Fedele et al. 2008), possibly wiping out populations of Neanderthals from Central Europe to the Caucasus (Golovanova et al. 2010). Demographic modeling (Sorenson 2010) and eco-cultural niche modeling (Banks et al. 2008) have both rejected climate as a driving factor for Neanderthal extinction, and suggested that other factors may have been involved, such as disease, violence, or competition with modern humans. Finally, some have suggested that Neanderthals did not go extinct, but were assimilated into populations of modern humans (Smith et al. 2005). Recent genetic studies have shown that modern European and Asian DNA contains 1–4% Neanderthal genes. This suggests that before Neanderthals became extinct, some, at least, interbred with modern humans (Green et al. 2010).

Neanderthals may have gone diving to find shells from the sea floor: Study:

Researchers have discovered for the first time that Neanderthals made tools from seashells, not just from those lying on the shore, but may have also gone diving to collect them from the seabed.

According to a study, published in the journal PLOS on Thursday, Neanderthals, often thought to be the inferior cousins to modern humans, may have retrieved seashells to make tools from waters as deep as 13 feet.

Researchers, including those from the University of Colorado at Boulder in the US, assessed more than 170 shell tools found in an Italian cave.

Based on patterned abrasions found on the surface of these shells, the scientists could distinguish between those which were picked up by the Neanderthals from the seashore, and those that were collected from under water.

Taking a closer look at the tools, they found that nearly three-quarters of the shells had opaque and slightly abraded exteriors, as if they had been sanded down over time, indicating that these had washed up on a sandy beach.

The rest of the shells, the study noted, had a shiny and smooth exterior.

According to the scientists the shiny shells, which were also a little bit bigger, may have been plucked directly from the seafloor as live animals.

Neanderthal Sea-shell hunting and collection animation from sea

DRAGON FLYING 3D ANIMATION CREATED IN 3D MAX

 

DRAGON FLYING ANIMATION

3DMAX FILE1

3DMAX FILE2

HUMAN EVOLUTION SEREIS 5 : Homo floresiensis known as "Flores man" or "Hobbit"

 

My 3D animation of Homo floresiensis known as "Flores man" or "Hobbit"

Homo floresiensis The “Hobbits” of Flores Island

Unraveling the enigma of human evolution in Flores Island at Liang Bua cave near Ruteng. In the annals of human evolution, few discoveries have sparked as much intrigue and fascination as the unearthing of Homo floresiensis, affectionately dubbed the “hobbits” of Flores Island. Geographically, Liang Bua cave is located about 15 km north of Ruteng town, the capital of Manggarai Regency on Flores Island. Research discovered Liang Bua Cave on Flores in 2003, these ancient humans have reshaped our understanding of the human family tree and challenged conventional notions of what it means to be human.

 

Archeological excavations at Liang Bua.

Standing at just over three feet tall and possessing a brain the size of a grapefruit, Homo floresiensis presents a perplexing puzzle to scientists. Initially thought to be a modern human with a pathological condition such as microcephaly, further analysis of the skeletal remains revealed a distinct species with a unique set of anatomical features.

The LB1 skeleton is the most complete Homo floresiensis fossil found to date. The adult female was just 1.05m tall and perhaps 30 years old when she died.

 

Dating back approximately 50,000 to 100,000 years ago, Homo floresiensis coexisted with early modern humans and may have shared the landscape with other hominin species such as Homo erectus. Their diminutive stature and primitive stone tools suggest a life lived on the fringes of human evolution, yet their remarkable adaptability allowed them to thrive in the challenging environment of Pleistocene Flores.

 

One of the most compelling aspects of the Homo floresiensis discovery is its implications for our understanding of human migration and dispersal. The presence of these ancient humans on a remote island such as Flores raises questions about how they arrived there and the routes they may have taken. Some theories propose that they may have used primitive watercraft to navigate the seas, while others suggest they may have been stranded on the island and evolved in isolation.

 

The discovery of Homo floresiensis has also sparked debate among scientists about the nature of human evolution and the definition of a distinct species. Some argue that they may represent a unique branch of the human family tree, while others suggest they may be descended from an earlier hominin species such as Homo erectus.

Homo floresiensis evolved from a group of hominins who somehow crossed the sea to the Indonesian island of Flores perhaps more than a million years ago. Shrinking in size may have been a useful adaptation to island life

 

Today, the Liang Bua Cave serves as a pilgrimage site for paleoanthropologists and curious travelers alike, offering a window into the distant past and the remarkable journey of human evolution. As researchers continue to uncover new clues and insights into the enigmatic world of Homo floresiensis, one thing remains certain: these diminutive inhabitants of Flores Island continue to capture our imagination and challenge our understanding of what it means to be human.

Floresiensis skull

Homo floresiensis: the real-life 'hobbit'?

t just over one metre tall, the ancient human species Homo floresiensis might have been slight in stature, but it has attracted lengthy debate due to its mysterious origins.

H. floresiensis has been said to be a relative of Homo erectus, an offshoot of a far more ancient human ancestor or even a diseased population of modern humans. But it can't be all three, so which is most likely?

Discovered in a cave in Indonesia in 2003, Homo floresiensis seems to have lived not long before modern humans appeared in the region.

At the start of this millennium, most palaeoanthropologists believed that only modern humans - our species, Homo sapiens - had managed to travel beyond the Southeast Asian mainland towards New Guinea and Australia.

Although Homo erectus reached Java, which is now an island, it was periodically connected to the mainland. It seemed very unlikely that archaic humans had watercraft capable of crossing the ocean. The discovery of Homo floresiensis on a remote Indonesian island changed things dramatically.

Cast of the almost-complete LB1 Homo floresiensis fossil skull showing the species' fairly large brow ridges. This ancient human had a small cranial capacity, with a brain size estimated to be similar to that of a chimpanzee

Homo floresiensis facts

Lived: at least 100,000 to about 50,000 years ago

Where: the island of Flores, Indonesia

Appearance: short with a very small skull, definite brow ridge, short legs and large, flat feet

Brain size: about 420cm3

Height: about 1.05-1.10m

Weight: about 25kg

Diet: largely unknown, but probably included meat

Species named in: 2004

Name meaning: 'human from Flores' - sometimes referred to as Flores Man

Important Homo floresiensis fossils

Homo floresiensis was discovered in 2003 on an expedition led by the archaeologist Mike Morwood. In continuing excavations, the team uncovered more than 100 Homo floresiensis fossils at Liang Bua, including the partial skeleton of a female, labelled Liang Bua 1 or LB1, and fragmentary fossils of at least 13 more individuals

When did Homo floresiensis live?

Exactly when Homo floresiensis appeared on Flores is unclear, but the oldest known remains are at least 100,000 years old, while some stone tools attributed to Homo floresiensis are as much as 190,000 years old.

As mentioned, scientists found older fossils on the island - a 700,000-year-old jawbone and teeth - that may be from a related hominin population.

When Homo floresiensis was first discovered, the team dated the fossil skeleton to less than 20,000 years old. If the species was present on Flores that recently, it would mean that a primitive hominin had survived on the island well into the era of modern humans.

However, the age of the skeleton was later revised to about 60,000 years old, with an estimated last appearance of Homo floresiensis about 50,000 years ago, based on stone tools.

So far, no modern human remains have been found in the region as early as 50,000 years ago, so this revised date might mean Homo floresiensis was physically extinct before the appearance of modern humans in the region.

3D reconstruction of Homo floresiensis 

What did Homo floresiensis look like?

Homo floresiensis was very short compared to the average modern human, standing at about 1.05 metres tall. This is what earned Homo floresiensis its nickname 'the hobbit', after a fictional group of short, human-like creatures created by author J R R Tolkien.

 

When Homo floresiensis was first discovered, archaeologists thought it must be the skeleton of a modern human child. However, the tiny skull had defined brow ridges, which are not characteristic of modern humans, and the individual had fully developed wisdom teeth, indicating it was an adult not a child.

Along with a very small brain - around 420 centimetres cubed in volume, about a third of the size of our brains - Homo floresiensis had an unusual body shape. The hipbones were broad and flared, the collarbone was short and the shoulder joint was positioned quite far forwards. The species also had large, flat feet.

Individuals from Liang Bua also show foot, hand, wrist and jaw traits that look more primitive than those of any human dating to within the past million years.

These archaic characteristics bear similarities to some species of australopithecines. Australopiths represent a more ancient branch of hominins - the family tree to which modern humans, extinct human species and all our immediate ancestors belong. This might suggest Homo floresiensis evolved from a very ancient divergence in the hominin family tree.

Yet Homo floresiensis also shares characteristics in common with our more recent relative, Homo erectus, for example, aspects of the skull shape.

This puzzling combination of characteristics has fuelled an ongoing debate around Homo floresiensis' place in the story of human evolution.

How was Homo floresiensis different in appearance from Homo sapiens?

Along with its smaller stature and large, flat feet, Homo floresiensis had other physical traits that were different to those of modern humans. These included a tiny skull with a small braincase, protruding brow ridges and no prominent chin. In comparison, Homo sapiens have a high and rounded braincase, a small face tucked under the forehead, small and separated brow ridges and a chin on the lower jaw.

 

Homo floresiensis' wide hips and shoulders also differ from our species' relatively narrow body.

 

3D reconstruction of  Homo floresiensis in front of their cave

Why was Homo floresiensis so small?

There are several theories as to why Homo floresiensis was so small.

 

The team who discovered Homo floresiensis originally proposed that a population of the species Homo erectus travelled to Flores from Java, perhaps by boat, and once on Flores they shrunk in size over hundreds of thousands of years. This is an example of insular dwarfism, also called island dwarfism, a process where large animals isolated on islands evolve smaller bodies because they have limited resources and no large predators to defend themselves against.

However, the australopithecine-like physical characteristics of Homo floresiensis suggest it evolved from a far more ancient and smaller ancestor than Homo erectus. Some other scientists suggested that Homo floresiensis is not a distinct species but rather a population of Homo sapiens with a condition such as microcephaly, where the brain develops to a smaller size. However, there are no known diseases or conditions in Homo sapiens that match what we find in Homo floresiensis and finds on the island from about 700,000 years ago already show some of its traits.

3D reconstruction of  Homo floresiensis in front of their cave

So is Homo floresiensis a separate human species?

Yes - while we don't have all the answers as to how it developed its unique set of traits, Homo floresiensis is a distinct human species.

The lively, ongoing debate is why the discovery of Homo floresiensis is an important chapter in the ever-unfolding story of the human journey. It demonstrates how an unexpected find like Homo floresiensis can contribute to our understanding of human evolution and cause us to question our previous assumptions.

Interestingly, another small-bodied human species, Homo luzonensis, was recently found nearly 3,000 miles away in the Philippines. This species has been dated to at least 50,000-67,000 years old, making it around the same age as Homo floresiensis. However, while they share some characteristics in common, Homo floresiensis and Homo luzonensis bear varying combinations of characteristics, which identify them as two separate human species.

Discoveries such as Homo floresiensis and Homo luzonensis provide a particularly valuable contribution to our understanding of ancient human diversity in Asia and Southeast Asia, which is currently poorly represented in the fossil record.

HUMAN EVOLUTION SERIES 4: HOMO ERECTUS

 

Homo Erectus 3D reconstruction and animation

Homo erectus, meaning "upright man," is an extinct species of archaic humans that lived approximately 2 million to 100,000 years ago. They were the first human ancestors to exhibit a modern body structure and gait, enabling them to walk and run efficiently. Homo erectus is notable for its use of tools, control of fire, and migration out of Africa to Asia and Europe2.

3D reconstruction of Homo Erectus

Physically, they had a pronounced brow ridge, a receding forehead, and a brain size averaging around 1,000 cubic centimeters—smaller than modern humans but larger than earlier hominins. They were also skilled hunters and gatherers, adapting to diverse environments

Homo erectus, meaning "upright man," is an important extinct species in the human evolutionary timeline. They lived approximately 2 million to 100,000 years ago, making them one of the longest-living hominin species. Here are some fascinating aspects about them:

Physical Traits: They had a robust skeleton, similar in size and proportions to modern humans, and their brain size averaged around 900-1,100 cubic centimeters. Distinguishing features include a pronounced brow ridge, a receding forehead, and a flat, elongated skull.

Behavior and Skills:

They were among the first to use stone tools, which became progressively more sophisticated during their time.

Evidence suggests they controlled fire, which helped them cook food, stay warm, and protect themselves.

Homo erectus also displayed early signs of social organization and may have worked in groups for hunting and survival.

Migration: They were the first human ancestors to leave Africa, spreading into Asia and Europe, adapting to various climates and environments. Fossils of Homo erectus have been found as far apart as Kenya, Indonesia, and Georgia.

Legacy: Homo erectus is widely regarded as a direct ancestor of later species, including Homo sapiens. Their adaptability and innovation laid crucial groundwork for the evolution of modern humans.

Let me know if you'd like to explore their role in human evolution or any specific discoveries further!

Homo Erectus Skull in Australian Museum

How does Homo erectus compare to other hominins?

Homo erectus occupies a fascinating spot in the human evolutionary tree and can be compared to other hominins in terms of physical traits, behavior, and innovation. Here's how they stack up:

1. Compared to Earlier Hominins (e.g., Australopithecus):

Brain Size: Homo erectus had a larger brain (900-1,100 cm³) compared to Australopithecus (~400-500 cm³).

Body Structure: Australopithecus had a more apelike build, with longer arms suited for climbing. Homo erectus had a modern-like body structure, adapted for long-distance walking and running.

Tool Use: While Australopithecus used basic tools, Homo erectus developed more advanced tools like hand axes (Acheulean tools).

2. Compared to Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis):

Brain Size: Neanderthals had an even larger brain (~1,200-1,750 cm³) than Homo erectus, adapted for their colder environments.

Physical Build: Homo erectus had a leaner, more upright build compared to the stocky and robust frame of Neanderthals, which was suited for retaining heat.

Cultural Traits: Neanderthals exhibited advanced behaviors like symbolic art and burial practices, which are less evident in Homo erectus.

3. Compared to Modern Humans (Homo sapiens):

Brain and Intelligence: Homo sapiens' brain is more complex (~1,300 cm³ on average), enabling language, art, and higher-order thinking. Homo erectus showed early signs of social organization but lacked such sophistication.

Behavior and Tools: Modern humans developed intricate cultures, advanced technology, and agriculture, while Homo erectus primarily relied on hunting, gathering, and Acheulean tools.

4. Innovation Pioneers:

Homo erectus is considered a transitional species—they were among the first hominins to:

Control fire.

Use systematic hunting techniques.

Migrate out of Africa, paving the way for later hominins.

In summary, Homo erectus played a crucial role as a bridge between earlier, more primitive hominins and later, more advanced species. Their adaptability and innovation helped shape the evolutionary path leading to modern humans. Would you like to explore any of these comparisons in more depth?

What specific tools did Homo erectus use?

Homo erectus was a pioneer in tool-making, significantly advancing the technology of its time. Here are some of the specific tools they used:

Acheulean Hand Axes:

These were large, teardrop-shaped stone tools with sharp edges on both sides.

They were multifunctional, used for cutting, scraping, and digging.

The Acheulean tool tradition, named after the Saint-Acheul site in France, is closely associated with Homo erectus.

Flakes:

Alongside hand axes, Homo erectus produced flakes—small, sharp pieces of stone chipped off during tool-making.

These flakes were used as cutting tools, especially for meat and plant processing.

Choppers and Cleavers:

Choppers were crude tools with one sharp edge, often used for smashing bones or chopping wood.

Cleavers were similar to hand axes but had a broader cutting edge, making them suitable for butchery.

Homo Erectus Tools

Fire Tools:

Though not a "tool" in the conventional sense, their ability to control fire was revolutionary.

They used fire for cooking, protection, and warmth, which dramatically improved their survival.

Wooden Tools (Hypothesized):

While wooden tools don't fossilize well, some evidence suggests they may have used sharpened sticks for digging or hunting.

Homo erectus was resourceful, crafting these tools from locally available materials like flint and quartzite. These innovations represent a significant leap forward in the cognitive and technical capabilities of early humans.

Would you like to explore their tool-making techniques or the impact these tools had on their lifestyle?

What were the techniques used to create these tools?

Homo erectus demonstrated remarkable skill and ingenuity in their tool-making techniques, which marked a significant advancement in human evolution. Here are the main methods they likely used:

Use of fire by Peking Man goes back 600,000 years, Chinese scientists say

1. Flaking:

Flaking involved striking a stone with another hard object, like a hammerstone, to remove sharp flakes from the core.

The flakes themselves were useful as cutting tools, and the core could be shaped into tools like hand axes or cleavers.

This technique required precision to control the shape and sharpness of the tools.

2. Bifacial Knapping:

Homo erectus crafted their iconic Acheulean hand axes using a bifacial approach—working on both sides of the stone to produce a symmetrical, sharp-edged tool.

They alternated strikes to maintain balance and symmetry, showcasing advanced planning and motor skills.

3. Hard Hammer Percussion:

This technique involved using a hard object, like a quartzite or granite stone, to strike the tool core.

It required significant force to detach large flakes and shape the tool.

4. Soft Hammer Percussion:

A more refined technique, soft hammer percussion involved using softer materials, such as antler or bone, to remove smaller, thinner flakes.

This allowed for finer shaping and sharper edges, particularly on hand axes and cleavers.

5. Selection of Materials:

Homo erectus carefully selected materials like flint, quartzite, or obsidian, which were more durable and easier to shape compared to other stones.

6. Trial and Error:

The refinement of their techniques likely involved experimentation and learning, as evidence shows improvements in tool-making over time.

These methods highlight not just technical skill but also cognitive abilities like foresight, problem-solving, and adaptability. Their innovative approach set the stage for future advancements in tool technology.

Would you like to learn about how these tools influenced their survival and lifestyle?

homo erectus fossils

Homo erectus fossils have been discovered across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe, showcasing their wide geographical range and adaptability. Here are some notable finds:

Java Man:

Discovered by Eugène Dubois in 1891 on the island of Java, Indonesia.

Included a skullcap and femur, showing evidence of upright walking.

Peking Man:

Found in the 1920s and 1930s at Zhoukoudian, China.

Consists of multiple skulls and bones, providing insights into their anatomy and lifestyle.

Turkana Boy:

Unearthed in Kenya in 1984, this is one of the most complete Homo erectus skeletons.

Dated to about 1.6 million years ago, it reveals their modern-like body proportions.

Dmanisi Fossils:

Found in Georgia, these fossils are among the oldest Homo erectus remains outside Africa, dating back 1.8 million years.

These fossils highlight the evolutionary significance of Homo erectus as one of the first hominins to migrate out of Africa and adapt to diverse environments. Let me know if you'd like to explore any of these discoveries further

Homo Erectus reconstruction