 |
1.8-300,000 Years
ago
|
|
| Homo erectus remains have been found in both Africa and Asia, which make it the most widely spread hominid species of that time. The first remains to be discovered were found in Indonesia in 1893. These remains are referred to as "Java Man"(1). The brain of this species has continued to become larger from past fossils found, which fit the trend that we have observed. The forehead also became much flatter and the cranium became lower(2). The face also shortened along with the bones in the arms(3). The height increased largely in this species, as some remains were calculated to be taller than 5'5"(2), which is more than a foot taller than remains of the Homo habilis. The fossils found have also been very robust, which shows the strength of this species, which aided in hunting as well(4). Not only is this species important in the evolutionary timeline for its more modern physical characteristics, but this species also introduced new behavioral characteristics as well. This was the first species thought to be able to control fire and to eat meat on a regular basis through hunting. The need for hunting is thought to have contributed to the increase in height found in this species. Evolution occurs to better adapt to ones environment, and height aided them in hunting for animals; therefore, is thought to have occurred in this species. |
Homo erectus skeleton |
References:
1. Public Broadcasting Station, 1998, Human Evolution, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/evolution/ (November 30, 2001)
2. Howells, William, 1997, GettingHere: The Story of Human Evolution, The Compass Press, Washington D. C., 266 p.
3. Archaeology.Info, 2000, Archaeology.Info, Human Ancestry: Species, http://www.archaeologyinfo.com/species.htm (November 29, 2001)
4. Foley, Jim, July 31, 2001, Hominid Species, http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/species.html