1. Hominid Evolution

2. Origins of Hominids Most crucial change was Bipedal Locomotion
Other changes include
Expansion of the brain, larger birth canal, reduction of face, teeth and jaws
All of these occurred 2 million yrs. After bipedalism
Journal Entry 1

3. Why did Bipedalism occur?
See farther
Carry food
Carry tools and weapons

4. Australopithecines First definite Hominids
Genus of Hominids until C. 2 Mill yrs. Ago
Somewhere b/t 3 and 4 mill. yrs ago.
At Laetoli footprints found proving bipedal locomotion
Although Bipedal, still may have spent time in trees for sleep and shelter

5. Types of Species Australopithecus afarensis Australopithecus africanus
Australopithecus robustus
There are more  Think of hominids as a Bush, not a timeline!

6. Australopithecus Afarensis
Debate as to whether diff. species or not
Footprints found to prove bipedalism
Between 3 and 4 million years ago

7. Australopithecus Africanus
Jaw of ape
Teeth of humans
S-shape spine similar to man

8. Afarensis vs. Africanus
Features of skull, teeth, and jaws that are less apelike in africanus
Some debate different species

9. Australopithecus robustus
2-1 million years ago
Larger molars and premolars
Smaller canines
Well-developed cranial crests and ridges
Much heavier
Taller: ft. tall

10. Ancestor?
Australopithecus robustus is not thought to be an ancestor to the Homo species
Lived during same relative time as Homo species

12. Changes Expansion of brain Reduction of face, teeth, and jaws
Babies born less mature at birth
Journal Entry #2

13. Expansion of the brain Had relatively small cranial capacities
Reason?
Why would brain size have increased? (Think Evolution types)
Possible reasons:
Increased as a result of tool making

14. Reduction of Face, Teeth, and Jaws
Lower face not as protruding
Reduction in size of
Face
Cheek bone
Jaw

15. Now on to species of Homo
Different ideas on how Homo genus evolved
Some say from Africanus
Some say from Afarensis
About 2 millions years ago

16. Homo habilis
Larger brain absolutely and relatively than Australopithecus
Found in East Africa
Slightly Larger and more developed brain
Stone tools?

17. Homo erectus 1.6 to 1.3 millions years ago
Skull generally long, low, and thickly walled
Flat frontal face
Prominent brow ridges
Relatively small teeth modern arrangement

18. Cont… Fully developed vision area of brain
Larger areas of speech, sensory, memory and motor areas of brain
Neck down, almost same as Homo sapiens

19. Fire Fire first appears 1.5 mill. Years ago
Only able to spread out after development of fire
Journal Entry

20. Stone tools Acheulean “hand axe”
1.5 mil. Years ago
Used for butchering, digging, pounding
Toolmaker first shaped the core, and prepared a striking platform at one end
Knock off flakes

21. Hunting Homo erectus began to hunt medium sized animals
Spears, stone throwing, and fire
Needed to plan and work in groups

24. Neanderthal
Becoming Human