ArchaeologyLesson 1 of 1 in the course The Genus Homo and the Emergence of Us

Paleolithic Traditions, Early Homo Classification, and Encephalization

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

This lesson places the genus Homo within major archaeological periods and changing environmental conditions. These periods help organize evidence about hominin species, tools, and ways of life, but their boundaries can vary by region.

The Lower Paleolithic is described here as extending from roughly 3 million years ago to approximately 300,000 BCE. It includes Homo habilis and the Oldowan tool industry, followed by Homo ergaster and the Acheulean tool industry. Oldowan tools were early stone tools; Acheulean assemblages are associated with later developments in stone-tool making.

All flashcards

What does cranial capacity estimate?
The size of the brain case, which is used to estimate brain size.
What is encephalization?
An increase in brain size over evolutionary time.
What is OH 7?
The type specimen of Homo habilis, found at Olduvai Gorge; it includes a partial juvenile skull and hand and foot bones.
What evidence is associated with the Upper Paleolithic in this account?
Cave art, Venus figurines, and increased use of bone and antler for tools and jewelry.
Why is EQ an imperfect guide to cognition?
It depends on estimates and scaling assumptions, and brain size alone does not determine cognitive or cultural abilities.

Quiz questions

  1. What does the encephalization quotient (EQ) compare?Answer: Actual brain size with the size expected for an animal's body size.
  2. What does Homo floresiensis demonstrate about brain size and behavior?Answer: A small-brained species could make and use tools and build fires.
  3. What evidence indicates that Australopithecus garhi used stone tools before Homo habilis?Answer: Cutmarks indicate stone-tool use around 2.6 million years ago.
  4. Which trait was included among proposed criteria for classifying Homo habilis as Homo?Answer: A brain size greater than 600 cc.
  5. What is broadly accepted about the origin of Homo, despite debate about its timing?Answer: Homo evolved from Australopithecus.

Based on Introduction to Anthropology by Jennifer Hasty, David G. Lewis, Marjorie M. Snipes (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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