Bipedalism preceded brain development – Darwin was right! Brain expansion Bipedalism preceded brain development – Darwin was right!

Brain expansion Large brain came from freeing up hands (tools etc which we depend on for survival)

Brain expansion Large brain came from freeing up hands (tools etc which we depend on for survival) IMPORTANT – cultural expansion in other species relies on imitation – we have language. This increases the possibilities for learning a LOT.

Brain expansion Large brain came from freeing up hands (tools etc which we depend on for survival) IMPORTANT – cultural expansion in other species relies on imitation – we have language. This increases the possibilities for learning a LOT. Learning how to make tools is cultural information – genetic info is stored in DNA in chromosomes – cultural stored in brain = knowledge, attitudes, customs, beliefs, values.

Only transmitted from parents to offspring. Genetic Info Cultural Info Only transmitted from parents to offspring. Can be transmitted to any individual of the same species – even offspring to parents. Received at the moment of fertilisation – doesn’t change after for life. Acquired and updated throughout life, mistakes can be fixed! When genetic info changes, it does so randomly = mutations. ‘Trial and error’ – one trial per generation In humans, cultural change is responsive to future needs. Cultural evol has been so rapid recently – we beat the biological evolution of all our predators, most of our competitors and some parasites.

Early stone tools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP94gmrIcdY Earliest stone tools – 2.6 myo = Oldowan tools (found in Olduvai gorge)

Early stone tools Earliest stone tools – 2.6 myo = Oldowan tools (found in Olduvai gorge) Pebble tools – made from chipping flakes off one side of a pebble = used to work wood, cut meat and cut reeds.

Early stone tools Earliest stone tools – 2.6 myo = Oldowan tools (found in Olduvai gorge) Pebble tools – made from chipping flakes off one side of a pebble = used to work wood, cut meat and cut reeds. Stone tools – opened up new ecological opportunities and a wider diet.

Homo habilis & homo rudolfensis First creatures to use early stone tools – found in 1959. Homo Habilis.

Homo habilis & homo rudolfensis First creatures to use early stone tools – found in 1959. Homo Habilis. Brain case – estimated to be 640 cm3 – significantly larger than Australopithecines.

Homo habilis & homo rudolfensis First creatures to use early stone tools – found in 1959. Homo Habilis. Brain case – estimated to be 640 cm3 – significantly larger than Australopithecines. Teeth – smaller = tools doing the work.

Homo habilis & homo rudolfensis First creatures to use early stone tools – found in 1959. Homo Habilis. Brain case – estimated to be 640 cm3 – significantly larger than Australopithecines. Teeth – smaller = tools doing the work. *Some more fossils were found which didn’t line up with the theory of brain expansion and smaller teeth. This could mean the creatures were sexually dimorphic. Or indeed another species entirely.

Homo erectus H. erectus – first pre-human to leave Africa and use fire. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL43kZRYHfQ

Homo erectus H. erectus – first pre-human to leave Africa and use fire. Found in Java, Indonesia and China as well as East Africa.

Homo erectus H. erectus – first pre-human to leave Africa and use fire. Found in Java, Indonesia and China as well as East Africa. * The African H.e differs from the Asian ones, and some consider should be a different species H. ergaster.

Physical characteristics of Homo erectus Brain size ranged from 800cm3 (highest H. habilis) and 1250cm3 (smallest H. sapiens)

Physical characteristics of Homo erectus Brain size ranged from 800cm3 (highest H. habilis) and 1250cm3 (smallest H. sapiens) Low forehead and bony brow ridges – helped against stress of chewing.

Physical characteristics of Homo erectus Brain size ranged from 800cm3 (highest H. habilis) and 1250cm3 (smallest H. sapiens) Low forehead and bony brow ridges – helped against stress of chewing. Limbs similar to human but more strongly built.

Tools & culture of H. erectus Showed greater expertise in tool use than H. habilis.

Tools & culture of H. erectus Showed greater expertise in tool use than H. habilis. Used ‘handaxe’ = Acheulean (because they were found at St Acheul).

Tools & culture of H. erectus Showed greater expertise in tool use than H. habilis. Used ‘handaxe’ = Acheulean (because they were found at St Acheul). Acheulean and Oldowan = lower paleolithic or ‘early old stone age’ cultures.

Tools & culture of H. erectus Showed greater expertise in tool use than H. habilis. Used ‘handaxe’ = Acheulean (because they were found at St Acheul). Acheulean and Oldowan = lower paleolithic or ‘early old stone age’ cultures. For over 1my the tools showed no more refinement – theory suggests brain expansion linked to other technological advances – shelters, clothing and traps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuT7N5aoP48