WKU Anth 375 Paleoanthro Lab 6 Late Homo Species

The temporally late Homo species are part of an extant subfamily (Homininae) of the family Hominidae (hominids). Late Homo species lived during the Middle to Late Pleistocene Epoch; one species (us!) continues into the Holocene Epoch today.

At least seven species are recognized: Homo erectus, Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, archaic Homo sapiens, Homo neandertalensis, Homo floresiensis, and Homo sapiens sapiens. Some researchers, however, classify all late Homo fossils as Homo sapiens and recognize temporal and spatial variability within this species. All late Homo species would be characterized as gracile except for the neandertals of western Europe, whose bodies and some facial features were robust compared to the other late Homo species. The newly named species, Homo floresiensis, might be considered super-gracile!

Prior to the development of anatomically modern humans, the late Homo species were confined to Africa, Asia and Europe; anatomically modern humans later populated Australia and the New World. As with earlier Homo species, late Homo species faced environmental changes involved a series of glaciations that changed the ratio of land:water, altered climatic patterns, altered vegetation patterns, and opened or closed land bridges among land masses.

Prior to the evolution of anatomically modern humans, late Homo species exhibited a mixture of primitive (e.g., large brow ridges, facial prognathism, large jaws) and derived (e.g, increased cranial capacity, projecting nose, incipient chin) skull traits. With the exception of Homo floresiensis, post-cranial traits were essentially "modern-looking" in the late Homo species.

Cultural developments associated with the late Homo species include new stone tool technologies, development of non-stone tools like bone and antler tools, big-game hunting, controlled use of fire, cave dwelling, intentional burial of the dead, ritualistic defleshing and/or cannibalism, art and symbolism, personal ornamentation, hunting magic, cave bear cult, religion, food production, pottery technology, and sedentism.

Two theories to explain the phylogenetic relationships among late Homo species have been suggested. Regional continuity advocates contend that anatomically modern humans evolved from local populations of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens in many parts of the Old World. Proponents of replacement argue that anatomically modern humans evolved in Africa and then replaced other late Homo populations elsewhere in the Old World.

Answers to all exercises will be neatly written in pencil on the answer sheets provided in lab. Exercises that do not require examination of skeletal specimens may be completed outside of class time. Genus and species names must be written according to biological convention.

Question 8: List at least three primitive traits and three derived traits of the Steinheim specimen (Figures 10.14 and 10.15, plaster cast).

Question 11: List at least two differences in the basal crania of neandertals and anatomically modern humans (casts provided in lab).

Question 14. List at least three primitive traits and three derived traits that demonstrate the transitional nature of the Skhul V skull (Figures 10.19 and 10.20).

Question 15. Be sure to consider the variation within the neandertals in answering this question.

B. Based on the readings, discuss the merits and problems with the two theories of the origins of anatomically modern humans: regional continuity and replacement. Which theory do you prefer?

C. Examine the physical characteristics of the Homo skull casts provided in the lab. Complete the morphology chart on the answer sheet. Identify the species that each fossil represents (for neandertals, indicate the physical type as well).

Lewin, Roger and Robert Foley
2004 Principles of Human Evolution (2nd edition). Blackwell Publishing, Oxford.