Thursday, June 29, 2006

 

homo sapies archaic

Human Evolution

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500,000-200,000 Years ago

Homo sapiens (archaic) are also known as Homo heidelbergensis. Remains from this space have been found in a variety of places starting from Germany to Bodo, Africa, and even in Jinniushan, Asia (1). Their brain size increased and their skull encasing also became more rounded than the skull of the Homo erectus(2). The skeleton and teeth are generally less thick and dense, but there are still large brow ridges present(3). They also had a much steeper forehead than previous species, which hints that the brain itself had more emphasis on the forebrain (1). This is a very interesting observation for this sector of the brain is responsible for planning and reasoning, movements of limbs, speech, as well as social conduct, which modern day humans are much more advanced in (1).

The social life of the Homo sapien (archaic) is still quite vague for not many clues have been found at this point. The advancement of tools was seen, especially the presence of the hand axe(4). Weapons were also found, which shows that the hunting style of life was more prevalent, and meat was a higher percent of their diet. Hopefully, more clues will show up as additional remains are found.

Homo sapien (archaic) skull side view

Homo sapien (archaic) skull front view

Homo sapien (archaic) skull

References:

1. Park, Michael A., 1999, Biological Anthrolpology: Second Edition, Mayfield Publishing Company, Mountain View California, 412 p.

2. Public Broadcasting Station, 1998, Human Evolution, http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/evolution/ (November 30, 2001)

3. Foley, Jim, July 31, 2001, Hominid Species, http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/species.html (November 29, 2001)

4. Washington State Univesity, n.d., Homo sapiens: Earliest Forms of Our Own Species, http://www.wsu.edu:8001/vwsu/gened/learn-modules/top_longfor/timeline/h-sapiens/h-sapiens-a.html (December 5, 2001)


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