This lesson introduces the broad and debated category of archaic Homo, then examines two important Early Archaic groups: Homo antecessor and Homo heidelbergensis.
There is no universal consensus about which species belong within archaic Homo. The term is an umbrella category for diverse Homo species that lived after Homo erectus and before, alongside, or near the emergence of Homo sapiens. These groups are often described as transitional because they combine traits seen in earlier Homo with traits that later occur in modern humans.
All flashcards
What is archaic Homo?
A broad, debated category for diverse Homo species after H. erectus, often characterized by a mixture of earlier and later traits.
What is an occipital bun?
A bulge at the back of the skull, in the occipital region. It is found in H. antecessor and some other hominins.
What is the canine fossa?
A depression in the face above the canine tooth. It is a feature reported in H. antecessor and also occurs in modern humans.
What does the Mauer specimen show?
This H. heidelbergensis lower jaw combines a robust form and receding chin with very small molars resembling those of modern humans.
Why is H. heidelbergensis described as variable?
Specimens assigned to it combine different traits associated with H. ergaster, H. erectus, and anatomically modern humans.
Quiz questions
Which description best captures how archaic Homo is used as a category?Answer: A debated grouping of diverse Homo species that followed H. erectus and preceded or overlapped with H. sapiens.
Why do the stated date ranges for Early and Late Archaic Homo overlap?Answer: Evolutionary change and the presence of different populations did not follow neat boundaries.
Which ancestry possibilities have been proposed for Homo antecessor?Answer: It may have been ancestral to H. heidelbergensis or descended from H. ergaster.
Which description matches the Bodo cranium?Answer: An Ethiopian fossil dated to about 600,000 years ago, with a cranial capacity near 1,250 cc.
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.