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The earliest identified Homo erectus specimen dates back approximately 2.04 million years ago.
Answer: True
The oldest identified Homo erectus specimen, DNH 134 from South Africa, is dated to approximately 2.04 million years ago, marking the species' early appearance.
The temporal range of Homo erectus ended around 1 million years ago.
Answer: False
The temporal range of Homo erectus extended much later than 1 million years ago, with evidence suggesting survival until approximately 100,000 years ago, and possibly even later in some regions.
What was the approximate temporal range of Homo erectus?
Answer: 2 million years ago to 100,000 years ago
The temporal range of Homo erectus is estimated to span from approximately 2 million years ago to about 100,000 years ago, representing a long and successful period in hominin evolution.
Homo erectus possessed a brain volume significantly larger than the average modern human.
Answer: False
While Homo erectus had a larger brain volume than earlier hominins, its average brain size (around 1,000 cc in East Asian populations) was considerably smaller than that of the average modern human (approximately 1,350 cc).
Homo erectus fossils are characterized by pronounced brow ridges and considerably thicker bones than modern humans.
Answer: True
A hallmark of Homo erectus morphology includes pronounced brow ridges (supraorbital torus) and bones that are significantly thicker and more robust than those of modern humans, a condition often referred to as pachyosteosclerosis.
Homo erectus likely had a slower growth trajectory and a longer childhood compared to modern humans.
Answer: False
Evidence from pelvic and infant skull morphology suggests that Homo erectus had a faster growth trajectory and a shorter childhood period compared to modern humans, lacking the extended developmental phase characteristic of *Homo sapiens*.
The brain size of Homo erectus specimens, like H. e. georgicus, never fell below 700 cc.
Answer: False
Some early African specimens, such as *Homo erectus georgicus*, exhibited smaller brain volumes, with one specimen measuring as low as 546 cc, which is below the 700 cc threshold mentioned.
Homo erectus had a body plan significantly different from modern humans, resembling more ape-like ancestors.
Answer: False
A key characteristic of Homo erectus was the development of a body plan that was remarkably similar to modern humans, marking a significant departure from more ape-like ancestors. This included obligate bipedalism and proportions closer to *Homo sapiens*.
Homo erectus possessed a fleshy nose, likely an adaptation for breathing dry air.
Answer: True
Homo erectus is noted as the first human species to exhibit a fleshy nose, a feature hypothesized to be an adaptation for conditioning and retaining moisture in inhaled air, particularly beneficial in drier environments.
Evidence suggests Homo erectus had minimal sexual dimorphism compared to earlier hominins.
Answer: True
Compared to many earlier hominin species which exhibited pronounced size differences between males and females, Homo erectus is generally considered to have displayed less pronounced sexual dimorphism.
Homo erectus had significantly larger teeth and stronger jaws than earlier Homo species.
Answer: False
In contrast to earlier Homo species, Homo erectus generally exhibited smaller teeth, thinner enamel, and less robust jaws, likely reflecting increased reliance on tool use for food processing.
The extended childhood period of Homo erectus was crucial for developing complex language skills.
Answer: False
Evidence suggests Homo erectus had a relatively shorter childhood and faster developmental trajectory compared to modern humans. This shorter period may have limited the development of the complex cognitive and physiological prerequisites for sophisticated language.
What characteristic distinguishes Homo erectus from many earlier Homo species regarding dentition?
Answer: Smaller teeth and thinner enamel
Compared to earlier Homo species, Homo erectus generally exhibited smaller teeth and thinner enamel, suggesting a reduced reliance on powerful chewing adaptations, possibly due to tool use for food preparation.
What does the pelvic and infant skull evidence suggest about Homo erectus development?
Answer: They had a faster growth rate and shorter childhood than modern humans.
Pelvic and infant skull evidence indicates that Homo erectus likely experienced a faster growth rate and a shorter childhood period compared to modern humans, suggesting less prolonged dependency.
What anatomical feature is noted as the first to evolve in Homo erectus, possibly aiding adaptation to dry air?
Answer: A fleshy nose
The development of a fleshy nose is considered a significant anatomical innovation in Homo erectus, potentially serving as an adaptation for breathing drier air by helping to humidify and warm inhaled air.
What is notable about the cranial features of Homo erectus described by Eugène Dubois?
Answer: A low, thickened cranial vault with a continuous brow ridge
Eugène Dubois described the cranial features of early Homo erectus finds as having a low and thickened vault, accompanied by a prominent, continuous brow ridge (supraorbital torus).
What does the evidence regarding the spinal canal of the Turkana Boy suggest about Homo erectus language capabilities?
Answer: It may not have supported the respiratory control needed for speech.
The dimensions of the spinal canal in the Turkana Boy skeleton suggest that Homo erectus may not have possessed the necessary neural control over respiration required for the complex vocalizations associated with human speech.
What is the condition known as pachyosteosclerosis observed in Homo erectus fossils?
Answer: Exceptionally thick bones
Pachyosteosclerosis refers to the condition of having exceptionally thick bones, a characteristic frequently observed in Homo erectus fossils, particularly in the cranial and long bones.
Which of the following is a proposed explanation for the extremely thick bones found in Homo erectus?
Answer: A more physically demanding or impact-prone lifestyle
The unusually thick bones observed in Homo erectus fossils have led to hypotheses suggesting a more physically demanding lifestyle, potentially involving greater impact or stress on the skeletal structure.
What is the estimated average brain volume for Homo erectus populations in East Asia?
Answer: Around 1,000 cc
Fossil evidence indicates that Homo erectus populations in East Asia typically had an average cranial capacity of approximately 1,000 cubic centimeters (cc).
Which of the following best describes the body plan of Homo erectus compared to modern humans?
Answer: More robust skeleton, but similar overall proportions
The body plan of Homo erectus was characterized by a more robust skeletal structure than modern humans, but with overall proportions that were quite similar, indicating adaptation to terrestrial locomotion.
The discovery of engraved shells and ochre suggests Homo erectus may have engaged in symbolic behavior.
Answer: True
Artifacts such as engraved shells from Trinil, Java, and processed red ochre found at sites like Olduvai Gorge are interpreted by some researchers as potential evidence of early symbolic behavior or rudimentary art among Homo erectus.
Homo erectus is recognized as the first human species to control and use fire.
Answer: True
Homo erectus is widely credited with being the first hominin species to control and utilize fire, a significant technological advancement that likely played a crucial role in their survival and expansion.
The survival of a toothless H. e. georgicus specimen suggests possible care for infirm individuals within the group.
Answer: True
The discovery of a *Homo erectus georgicus* individual who had lost most of its teeth and survived for an extended period suggests the possibility of social care within the group, providing for individuals unable to forage or chew effectively.
The Acheulean tool industry, featuring handaxes, is associated with Homo erectus.
Answer: True
The Acheulean tool industry, characterized by sophisticated bifacial handaxes and cleavers, is strongly associated with Homo erectus and represents a significant technological advancement in early hominin toolmaking.
The divergence of human tapeworms suggests Homo erectus regularly consumed cooked meat.
Answer: False
The divergence patterns of human tapeworms, dated to around 1.7 million years ago, suggest regular meat consumption by Homo erectus. However, the specific parasite transmission patterns indicate that this meat was likely consumed raw more often than cooked.
Which of the following is considered a primary achievement of Homo erectus?
Answer: Migration out of Africa and control of fire
Key achievements of Homo erectus include being the first hominin species to migrate extensively out of Africa and the first to demonstrably control and utilize fire.
What does the divergence of human tapeworms suggest about Homo erectus diet?
Answer: They regularly consumed raw meat.
The divergence patterns of human tapeworms suggest that Homo erectus regularly consumed meat. The specific parasite lineage indicates that this meat was likely consumed raw more frequently than cooked.
What is the significance of the engraved Pseudodon shell found in Trinil, Java?
Answer: It may be the earliest evidence of art or symbolic behavior.
The engraved *Pseudodon* shell found at Trinil, Java, dating to over 400,000 years ago, is considered potentially the earliest evidence of art or symbolic behavior, suggesting cognitive complexity beyond basic tool use.
The hypothesis that males hunted and females gathered is suggested by what type of evidence related to Homo erectus?
Answer: Fossil trackways indicating group activities
Fossil trackways, such as those found near Ileret, Kenya, potentially indicate coordinated group activities among Homo erectus, which has been interpreted as supporting hypotheses of a sexual division of labor, such as males hunting and females gathering.
What hypothesis regarding Homo erectus subsistence is supported by the divergence of human tapeworms?
Answer: Regular consumption of raw meat
The divergence patterns of human tapeworms suggest that Homo erectus regularly consumed meat, with evidence pointing towards raw meat consumption being a significant part of their diet.
What evidence suggests Homo erectus might have used pigments?
Answer: Lumps of red ochre
The discovery of processed lumps of red ochre associated with Homo erectus fossils at sites like Olduvai Gorge suggests the potential use of pigments, possibly for symbolic purposes.
Homo erectus was the first human species to migrate out of Africa.
Answer: True
Homo erectus is recognized as the first hominin species to exhibit significant migration out of the African continent, colonizing vast regions of Eurasia.
The 'Movius Line' suggests that Acheulean tool traditions were prevalent throughout the Old World.
Answer: False
The Movius Line is an imaginary boundary that divides the Old World into regions with differing tool traditions. East of the line, simpler Oldowan-style tools were prevalent, while west of the line, the more complex Acheulean handaxe industry predominated, suggesting a cultural disparity rather than prevalence throughout.
The 'Out of Africa' theory posits that modern humans evolved independently in multiple locations.
Answer: False
The 'Out of Africa' theory, also known as the recent African origin model, posits that anatomically modern humans evolved in Africa and subsequently migrated to colonize the rest of the world, replacing earlier hominin populations. It contrasts with multiregional theories that suggest independent evolution in various regions.
Homo erectus fossils are typically found only in Africa.
Answer: False
While Homo erectus originated in Africa, its fossils are found extensively across Africa, Asia (e.g., Java, China), and parts of Europe, indicating a wide geographic distribution.
The presence of Homo erectus fossils on islands like Flores implies what capability?
Answer: Capability of crossing significant bodies of water
The discovery of Homo erectus fossils on islands such as Flores, which are separated by substantial water bodies, strongly implies that these hominins possessed the capability to cross significant stretches of open water, either intentionally or through natural means.
It is widely accepted that Homo erectus evolved from Homo sapiens.
Answer: False
Current paleoanthropological consensus posits that Homo erectus predates and is ancestral to later hominin species, including Homo sapiens. The evolutionary trajectory is generally understood as originating from earlier hominins like Homo habilis, leading to Homo erectus, which then gave rise to species like Homo heidelbergensis, the ancestor of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.
Homo erectus is considered a direct ancestor to modern humans (Homo sapiens).
Answer: False
While Homo erectus is ancestral to later hominins, it is not considered a direct ancestor of modern humans (Homo sapiens). Rather, it is an ancestor to species like Homo heidelbergensis, which is the last common ancestor of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.
The species Homo ergaster is universally accepted as a distinct species separate from Homo erectus.
Answer: False
The classification of Homo ergaster remains a subject of debate among paleoanthropologists. While some consider it a distinct species, many classify it as an early African subspecies of Homo erectus (*H. e. ergaster*).
Homo erectus is classified within the genus Australopithecus.
Answer: False
Homo erectus is classified within the genus *Homo*, not *Australopithecus*. *Australopithecus* represents an earlier group of hominins, from which the genus *Homo* is believed to have evolved.
Homo erectus is considered the last common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.
Answer: False
Homo erectus is an ancestor to later hominin lineages, but it is not the direct last common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans. That role is generally attributed to *Homo heidelbergensis*.
According to the source, Homo erectus is considered an ancestor to which species?
Answer: Homo heidelbergensis
Homo erectus is considered an ancestral species to later hominins, including Homo heidelbergensis, which in turn is recognized as the last common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a commonly recognized subspecies of Homo erectus?
Answer: H. e. neanderthalensis
Homo neanderthalensis is recognized as a distinct species, not a subspecies of Homo erectus. Commonly discussed subspecies of Homo erectus include *H. e. pekinensis*, *H. e. ergaster*, and *H. e. georgicus*.
What does the term 'paraphyletic' imply about the classification of Homo erectus?
Answer: It includes the ancestor but not all of its descendants.
A paraphyletic group includes a common ancestor but excludes some of its descendants. If Homo erectus is considered paraphyletic, it means the classification encompasses the ancestral form but not all the species that evolved from it.
The classification of many fossil hominin finds as subspecies of Homo erectus reflects what trend?
Answer: A more conservative taxonomic approach
The tendency to classify numerous fossil finds as subspecies of Homo erectus reflects a more conservative taxonomic approach, grouping diverse regional and temporal variations under a single, broadly defined species.
Eugène Dubois discovered the first Homo erectus fossils in China.
Answer: False
Eugène Dubois discovered the first Homo erectus fossils, initially named *Pithecanthropus erectus*, in Java, Indonesia, during the 1890s. Fossils in China, such as Peking Man, were later studied by Franz Weidenreich.
Charles Darwin proposed that humans first evolved in Asia.
Answer: False
Charles Darwin hypothesized that human evolution originated in Africa. In contrast, some contemporary naturalists, such as Ernst Haeckel, proposed Asia as the birthplace of humankind.
Franz Weidenreich supported the 'Out of Africa' theory by comparing Java Man and Peking Man.
Answer: False
Franz Weidenreich's comparative studies of Java Man and Peking Man led him to propose a multiregional model of human evolution, suggesting continuity between ancient hominins and local modern populations, rather than supporting the single 'Out of Africa' origin theory.
The Turkana Boy skeleton provides key evidence for the postcranial skeleton of Homo erectus.
Answer: True
The remarkably complete skeleton of the individual known as 'Turkana Boy' (KNM-WT 15000) is a crucial source of information regarding the postcranial anatomy, proportions, and developmental stage of Homo erectus.
Who is credited with discovering the first Homo erectus fossils in Java?
Answer: Eugène Dubois
Eugène Dubois, a Dutch anatomist, discovered the first fossils attributed to Homo erectus on the island of Java in Indonesia in the 1890s.
Franz Weidenreich's work contributed to which model of human evolution?
Answer: The multiregional continuity model
Franz Weidenreich's comparative anatomical studies of fossils from Asia led him to advocate for the multiregional continuity model, suggesting that ancient hominin populations in different regions evolved into local modern human populations.
Which specimen provides significant evidence for the postcranial skeleton of Homo erectus?
Answer: The Turkana Boy skeleton
The Turkana Boy skeleton (KNM-WT 15000) is one of the most complete fossil skeletons discovered for Homo erectus, providing invaluable data on its postcranial anatomy and skeletal development.
What did Ernst Haeckel propose as the birthplace of humankind?
Answer: Asia
Ernst Haeckel, a proponent of early human origins theories, proposed that humankind first evolved in Asia, contrasting with Charles Darwin's hypothesis of an African origin.