Australopithecines:

· Time periods & locations?

· What species preceded australopithecines? Transitions leading to them?

· Their environment? Climate Change and its evolutionary pressure?

· What does the Bi-pedalism do for the species?

· Focus on Afarensis “Lucy” & Africanus

· Other Varieties of Australopithecines?

· Anatomy & teeth? Different from other primates?

· Tools? … if so, how did they use them?

· What were they eating?

They were preceded by more “ape-like” Ardipithecus (5-7 mya), which does appear to be bipedal; before that by primates that are similar to Chimps/Bonobos/Orangs we see today. This species is sort of half gorilla/chimp and half Homo (human), like “Lucy”; mostly ape-like in skull and arm length, but human in the bipedalism, and the physical changes that causes. Bipedalism is the key: allows to look out over the landscape for food or predators, walk long distances w/ little energy, more use of the hands (tools, carry, throw things). Though now making use of more open woodlands or savannah, they still retreat to the trees or forest at night or for other food sources and protection. Later period of this group springs more robust divisions (Robustus, Boisei, Paranthropus). No formal or sophisticated hunting/gathering at this time.

Homo Hablis:

· Time period & geography?

· Anatomy & teeth & brain size changes?

· Comparing earliest Homo- behavior to chimps?

· Tools, and their use?

· Their environment?

· Diet?

· Brain use and finger dexterity?

· Any semblance of “culture” yet? Language?

We think that division of labor might have just begun to develop at this point – food sharing between males and females – more likely between mothers/sons or brothers/sisters or fathers/daughters, or to attract a female or male to have intercourse. Advanced bipedalism has closed off the birth canal forcing infants to come our weak and dependent – so childcare is another practical reason for pair-bonding or group coordination. Also this species is increasing the dexterity of their fingers with tool manufacturing and use. More time in the savannahs/open grasslands, little to no time in tropical areas. Still scavenging for meat. No evidence for language.

Homo Erectus:

· Time period & new geography they covered?

· Changes in anatomy, teeth, and brain size?

· What species did they overlap with?

· New tools?

· Hunting and Gathering, is it formalized yet?

· Any signs of “culture” yet?

· Fire and its uses and advantages, includes its affects on food?

· Shelters, formal campsites, and clothing?

· Language yet?

Early Homo Erectus: big points: taller, stronger, definite increase in brain size; less sexual dimorphism; moving out of scavenging to formal hunting/gathering; first diversified tool kit for different needs; moving into southern Europe and Asia. Later Homo Erectus (post 700,000 ya) formal hunting/gathering; formal camp sites; formation of earliest language development (multi-phonemes; simple syntax); Fire – for cooking, warmth, protection, night activities, detoxifies food, breaks down the minerals and vitamins that can now be absorbed, softens food; cooperative hunting; expansion into semi-cold areas of Eurasia.

Archaic Homo Sapiens :

· Time period & new geography they covered?

· Changes in Anatomy & brain size?

· Lumpers vs. Splitters?

· Tool changes? What were they hunting?

· Neanderthal’s anatomy & brain size?

· Neanderthal’s signs of culture/language?

Modern Homo Sapiens :

· Time period & new geography of expansion?

· Changes in Anatomy & brain shape/size?

· Climate change and new things to hunt?

· New Tools or tool changes?

· Developments in culture?