Homo erectus

Homo erectus: The Early Human Species That Paved the Way

Imagine a time when our ancestors were not just like us but also very different—Homo erectus, an extinct human species that lived from around 1.8 million to 70,000 years ago. This fascinating chapter in human history is filled with intriguing questions: Who exactly were these early humans? How did they live and evolve?

Defining Homo erectus

Homo erectus was the first true hunter-gatherer, a species that walked upright much like we do today. They used fire, had a humanlike body plan, and roamed across Asia and Europe. But what exactly did they look like? Their anatomy varied geographically and temporally, with recognized subspecies such as Homo erectus, Homo pekinensis, and Homo soloensis. First described by Eugène Dubois in 1893, their classification has undergone significant changes over time.

Evolutionary Journey of Homo erectus

The ‘Out of Africatheory suggests that all modern humans share a common ancestor with Homo erectus. Initially considered distinct species, H. erectus is now viewed as an African species that dispersed to Eurasia. By the 20th century, human taxonomy was in disarray, and Ernst Mayr reclassified fossils into three species: Homo transvaalensis (australopithecines), Homo erectus (including various Asian, African, and European taxa), and Homo sapiens (including modern humans and Neanderthals).

Biology of Homo erectus

The biology of Homo erectus is fascinating. Their anatomy varied by region, with low and thickened cranial vaults, continuous bars of bone forming the brow ridge, and strong crests on the temporal bones. The head was characterized by a sagittal keel running across the midline and an occipital torus at the back. Key differences between Homo erectus sensu stricto and sensu lato include narrower skullcaps, bigger faces, larger molars, smaller teeth, thinner enamel, weaker mandibles, and generally smaller brain sizes in later populations.

Physical Characteristics of Homo erectus

The body size and robusticity differed among populations. Height reconstructions range from 148-167 cm, with an estimated adult weight around 50 kg. Populations in higher latitudes may have developed lighter skin to prevent vitamin D deficiency, while hairlessness is thought to have evolved around 1.2 million years ago. The childhood growth and development of Homo erectus was intermediate between that of chimpanzees and modern humans.

Lifestyle and Tools of Homo erectus

Homo erectus was a skilled hunter-gatherer, relying on endurance running to catch big game. They used Lower Paleolithic technologies, including the Acheulean stone tool industry at least 1.75 million years ago. This included large, symmetrical, heavy-duty tools like handaxes for butchery, vegetable processing, woodworking, and manufacturing digging sticks and spears.

Fire and Other Innovations

The earliest claimed fire site dates back to 1.7 million years old in Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa. They also produced tools from shells at Sangiran and Trinil. Homo erectus is credited as the first human species to wield fire, using it opportunistically until later periods.

Social Behavior and Symbolic Thinking of Homo erectus

Homo erectus made long sea crossings to arrive on islands such as Flores, Luzon, and the Mediterranean. Some authors believe they invented watercrafts and seafaring, but this could also have been due to natural rafting events. In East Asia, H. erectus is often represented by skullcaps that were once interpreted as evidence of widespread cannibalism and ritual headhunting. However, these are now believed to be the result of natural phenomena.

Art and Communication

The earliest probable example of symbolic thinking based on art-making includes an engraved shell from Trinil, Java, with geometric markings dating back 546,000 to 436,000 years ago. They also collected red-colored pigments like ochre, which is normally associated with modern humans.

Conclusion

Homo erectus was a pivotal species in human evolution, bridging the gap between early hominids and modern humans. Their journey from Africa to Eurasia, their innovative tools, and their social behaviors all contribute to our understanding of how we became who we are today. As we continue to uncover more about this fascinating species, we gain insights into the complex history of human development.

Condensed Infos to Homo erectus