Early Hominid Behavior Australopithecine/Paranthropus

Early Human Behavior Evidence in South Africa –Swartkrans –Kromdraii –Sterkfontain

Swartkrans, South Africa Swartkrans has provided the largest sample (more than 126 individuals) of the fossil hominid known as Paranthropus robustus. This hominid is only found in South Africa, becoming extinct around one million years ago. Also, Swartkrans contributed the first evidence for the co-existence of two different types of hominds, Homo erectus and Paranthropus robustus.

Swartkrans, South Africa This was the first indication to the scientific community that hominid evolution did not occur in a linear fashion from one species to the next, to eventually us, Homo sapiens. Instead, it demonstrated that human evolution proceeded in a more bushy arrangement, with a number of different species adapting to different environments at different times. Some of these "experiments" in human evolution succeeded and some failed, with subsequent extinction.

Importance of Swartkrans The first and earliest evidence for the controlled use of fire found anywhere at approximately one million years ago. It is believed that the hominid which was responsible for this had the cognitive ability to take a burning log back from a naturally caused fire, a veld fire, back to the cave, but that it did not have the cognitive ability to make one itself. Nonetheless, this is still a profound step forward for our ancestors.

Digging for termites Modified bones from Swartkrans and Sterkfontein in South Africa represent the oldest known bone tools. They were used by Australopithecus robustus to dig into termite mounds.

Digging for termites "While a rump steak yields 322 calories per 100 grams and cod fish 74, termites provide 560 calories per 100 grams."

Excavations at Swartkrans

GIS 3D Model of Swartkrans

Excavated fossils from Swartkrans

Kromdraai, South Africa Kromdraai is a much smaller site than either Sterkfontein or Swartkrans, but nevertheless has contributed its own pieces to the puzzle of human evolution. There are actually two sites lying almost next to each other. –Kromdraai A has yielded an incredible wealth of fossil animals, including extinct saber-toothed cats, extinct monkeys and baboons, extinct hyaenas and extinct antelopes. –Kromdraai B produced the first Paranthropus robustus fossil the world had ever seen.

Kromdraai, South Africa Also found at Kromdraai: –50 specimens of Paranthropus robustus. –The first specimen of robustus ever discovered, found in –A wealth and diversity of extinct animals –More than 100 stone tools.

Sterkfontein, South Africa The first fossils at Sterkfontein came to light as early as 1936 and were the first adult Australopithecines or, more specifically, Australopithecus africanus. This species existed only in South Africa between 3,2- and 2,6-million years ago and was a very early hominid (ie, a species that belongs in our family, the Hominidae). Sterkfontein has fossil deposits dating back to almost 3,5-million years ago, providing a wealth of information about the different hominid species that existed in the two million year interval up to 1,5-million years ago.

Important finds at Sterkfontein The first adult Australopithecine, Australopithecus africanus, that the world had ever seen, discovered in The most complete skull of Australopithecus africanus, or commonly and affectionately known as Mrs Ples, found in The first partial skeleton of any early hominid ever found, known only as Sts 14. It was found in 1947 and demonstrated without a doubt that these early hominids walked upright, or bipedally.

Also at Sterkfontain The first find of a fossil of our genus, Homo, or more specifically Homo habilis, found in The geologically earliest record of any hominid in South Africa at close to 3,5-million years ago. 500 fossil specimens of Australopithecus africanus, including both adults and children. This is a remarkable sample -- enabling scientists to study a population of hominids, instead of just a single fossil.

Sterkfontein

Australopithecus africanus “Mrs. Ples”

Hunters vs. Scavengers Dart’s “Osteodontokeratic” Culture –Osteo=Bone –Donto=Teeth –Keratic=Horn C.K. Brain’s later interpretation

Dart and the “Taung Baby” In 1924, Raymond Dart, an Australian anatomy professor at the University of Witerwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, obtained a fossil skull that had been blasted out of a nearby limestone quarry at Taung. In 1924, Raymond Dart, an Australian anatomy professor at the University of Witerwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, obtained a fossil skull that had been blasted out of a nearby limestone quarry at Taung. It took him 73 days to chisel the skull free from its surrounding stone matrix and ultimately 4 years of spare time to free the jaw and the fossilized brain. However, long before then, Dart recognized the importance of this find. In 1925 he named it Australopithecus africanus (literally "southern ape from Africa"). Because of its small size, he called it the "Taung baby." In fact, it was a child of 3-4 years old. Dart recognized the importance of this find. In 1925 he named it Australopithecus africanus (literally "southern ape from Africa"). Because of its small size, he called it the "Taung baby." In fact, it was a child of 3-4 years old.

Osteodontokeratic Culture Dart also concluded from his analysis of the site of Makapansgat that these creatures had had what he called an "osteodontokeratic" (bone, tooth and horn) culture, and argued that they were savage hunters and bloodthirsty killers whose violent tendencies had left their mark in human behavior.

Osteodontokeratic BONE TEETH HORN

“Man the Hunter” Now anthropologists are reconsidering traditional theories about the importance of male hunting, of meat and of the so-called nuclear family in human evolution. Instead, a renewed look at archaeological records and observations of a contemporary hunting and gathering tribe in East Africa suggest the key roles in nourishing the evolution of people's ancestors may have been played by females — mothers and grandmothers. Meanwhile, male hunting was likely more about elevating one's social status than providing for the family, researchers say. Click here to read more:

C.K. Brain-Reinterpretation Bones, teeth and horns not those of animals killed by humans. Humans the hunted rather than the hunters. The Hunters or the Hunted? C.K. Brain 1981

Leopard Predation

Makapansgat

Early Human Behavior Scavengers, not Hunters! Bones at early sites have tool marks on top of animal tooth marks.

Humans and Chimpanzees Besides, chimpanzees hunt-why did they not evolve as much as we did?? Click here for more on this subject: Chimp the Hunter Chimp the HunterChimp the Hunter Thus, we need to be careful about our biases when interpreting the archaeological record.

Red Colobus monkey predation by Chimpanzees

So, Early Australopithecine/Paranthropus behavior was like what? Small groups Utilized caves for shelter in South Africa May have used bone tools for digging termites out of mounds. Could have hunted small animals. Most food was probably plants. Were more often the hunted, rather than the hunter.