What makes us human? FOH 1 – 2, R. Leakey – April 17

Human evolution hominids?

What makes humans distinct? In FOH 1-2: characteristichow/why it contributes to making human beings distinct as a species binocular and color vision upright posture hands with opposable thumbs large well- organized brain speech (ability to use language)

What makes humans distinct? characteristichow/why it contributes to making human beings distinct as a species binocular and color vision Allows better depth of vision, enabling humans to better see prey and avoid being prey; has made us a highly visual species (we take in ~90% of info visually, or compensate with other senses) upright posture Frees hands, improves field of vision, makes us more intimidating to predators and prey hands with opposable thumbs Allows us to grasp and manipulate objects, eventually making tools large well- organized brain Allows us to learn from others, to remember what we learn and experience, to use language, to invent new tools, and to use our bodies in creative ways speech (ability to use language) Allows us to communicate complex content (more than just “danger!”) and to not have to discover for ourselves what others have learned characteristichow/why it contributes to making human beings distinct as a species binocular and color vision Allows better depth of vision, enabling humans to better see prey and avoid being prey; has made us a highly visual species (we take in ~90% of info visually, or compensate with other senses) upright posture Frees hands, improves field of vision, makes us more intimidating to predators and prey hands with opposable thumbs Allows us to grasp and manipulate objects, eventually making tools large well- organized brain Allows us to learn from others, to remember what we learn and experience, to use language, to invent new tools, and to use our bodies in creative ways speech (ability to use language) Allows us to communicate complex content (more than just “danger!”) and to not have to discover for ourselves what others have learned

What makes humans distinct? FOH Vision Posture Hands/thumbs Brains Language/speech Human Origins website Bodies Posture Tools and food Brains Language and symbols Social life (living in groups) Ability to change the world

What makes humans distinct? FOH Vision Posture Hands/thumbs – Flint tools – Use of fire Brains Language/speech Human Origins Program Bodies: size, bones, guts – Adapted to climates and diet Posture Tools and food – Hunting toolsmeat – Firesurvival Brains Language and symbols Social life – Advantages of living in groups – Advantages of connections to other groups Ability to change the world

What makes humans distinct? -Biological characteristics -How we have used those characteristics to develop -Distinct ways of life and relationships to others (cultural evolution) -Ways of using the physical world to our advantage (technological evolution)

cultural and technological evolution The ability to use fire: Could live in colder climates Could protect selves from animals Could make more effective weapons Could cook food  easier to digest  improved nutrition and health (more protein, fewer microbes)

Cultural and technological evolution Changes in the natural world: Ice Ages – As climates turned cooler, humans had to adapt faster, and invented new tools. – Ice Ages limited available vegetation and increased importance of hunting and tools. – As brains developed and grew, so did ability to pass on knowledge.

Leakey’s Homo erectus colony - Your name - title of assignment

Leakey’s Homo erectus colony 1.What makes these hominids recognizably human?

Leakey’s Homo erectus colony 1.What makes these hominids recognizably human? 2.How do they seem “different” from modern human beings?

HOMEWORK Finish, print and bring to class: Questions about Homo erectus colony Part 3: Milestones in chronological order Your charged laptop