Chapter 10Premodern Humans

Chapter Outline When, Where and What Premodern Humans of the Middle

Pleistocene A Review of Middle Pleistocene Evolution Middle Pleistocene Culture

Chapter Outline Neandertals: Premodern Humans of the

Upper Pleistocene Culture of Neandertals Genetic Evidence Trends in Human Evolution:

Understanding Premodern Humans

The Pleistocene The Pleistocene, often called the Ice Age, was

marked by advances and retreats of massive continental glaciations. At least 15 major and 50 minor glacial

advances have been documented in Europe. Hominids were impacted as the climate, flora,

and animal life shifted. Middle Pleistocene (780,000– 25,000 y.a.) Upper Pleistocene (125,000–10,000 y.a.)

Changing Pleistocene Environments in Africa

Changing Pleistocene Environments in Eurasia

Green areas show regions of likely hominid occupation. Blue areas are major glaciers. Arrows indicate likely migration routes.

Key Middle Pleistocene Premodern Human (H. heidelbergensis) Fossils from Africa

Site Dates (y.a.) Human Remains

Bodo(Ethiopia)

Middle Pleistocene(600,000)

Incomplete skull, part of braincase

Broken Hill(Kabwe)(Zambia)

Late Middle Pleistocene;(130,000 or

older)

Nearly complete cranium, cranial

fragments ofsecond individual,

miscellaneous postcranial bones

Key Middle Pleistocene Premodern Human (H. heidelbergensis) Fossils from Europe

Site Dates (y.a.) Human Remains

Arago(Tautavel, France)

400,000–300,000; date

uncertain

Face; parietal perhaps from same person; many cranial fragments; up to

23 individuals represented

Atapuerca(Sima de los

Huesos,northern Spain)

320,000–190,000, probably 300,000

Minimum of 28 individuals, including

some nearly complete crania

Key Middle Pleistocene Premodern Human (H. heidelbergensis) Fossils from Europe

Site Dates (y.a.) Human Remains

Steinheim (Germany)

300,000–250,000;

date uncertain

Nearly complete skull, lacking mandible

Swanscombe(England)

300,000–250,000; date

uncertain

Occipital and parietals

Key Middle Pleistocene Premodern Human (H. heidelbergensis) Fossils from Asia

Site Dates (y.a.) Human Remains

Dali(China)

Late Middle Pleistocene(230,000–180,000)

Nearly complete skull, lacking mandible.

Nearly complete skull

Jinniushan(China)

Late Middle Pleistocene(200,000)

Partial skeleton, including a cranium

Time line ofMiddle Pleistocene hominids.

Review of Middle Pleistocene Evolution (400,000-125,000 y.a.) Like the erects/sapiens mix in Africa and

China, fossils from Europe exhibit traits from both species.

Fossils from each continent differ, but the physical differences are not extraordinary.

There is a definite increase in brain size and a change in the shape of the skull.

Middle Pleistocene Tools African and European archaics invented

the Levallois technique for tool making. Acheulian tools are associated with hand

axes. Different tool traditions coexist in some

areas.

The Levallois Technique

Culture of Neandertals Neandertals, who lived in the cultural

period known as the Middle Paleolithic, are almost always associated with the Mousterian industry.

In the early part of the last glacial period, Mousterian culture extended across Europe and North Africa into the former Soviet Union, Israel, Iran, and as far east as Uzbekistan and perhaps even China.

Culture of Neandertals Neandertals improved on previous prepared-

core techniques by inventing a new variation. They trimmed a flint nodule around the edges

to form a disk-shaped core. Each time they struck the edge, they

produced a flake, continuing this way until the core became too small and was discarded.

They then trimmed the flakes into various forms, such as scrapers, points, and knives.

Mousterian Tools

Settlements People of the Mousterian culture lived in

open sites, caves, and rock shelters. Windbreaks of poles and skin were

placed at the cave opening for protection against severe weather.

Fire was used for cooking, warmth, light, and keeping predators at bay.

Subsistence Remains of animal bones demonstrate that

Neandertals were successful hunters. Used close-proximity spears for hunting (spear

thrower and bow and arrow weren’t invented until the Upper Paleolithic).

Patterns of trauma in Neandertal remains match those of contemporary rodeo performers, indicating close proximity to prey.

Symbolic Behavior Prevailing consensus has been that

Neandertals were capable of articulate speech.

Even if Neandertals did speak, they did not have the same language capabilities of modern Homo sapiens.

Burials Neanderthals buried their dead. Their burials included grave goods like

animal bones and stone tools. They placed the bodies of their dead in a

flexed position.

Key Neandertal Fossil Discoveries

Site Dates (y.a.) Human RemainsVindija

(Croatia)42,000–28,000

35 specimens; cranial fragments

La Chapelle(France) 50,000 Nearly complete male

skeletonShanidar

(Iraq)70,000–60,000 9 partial skeletons

Tabun(Israel)

110,000 date uncertain

2 or 3 individuals, almost complete female skeleton

Krapina(Croatia)

125,000–120,000

Up to 40 individuals, fragmentary

Cultural Contrasts: Neandertals and Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Neandertals Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

ToolTechnology

Numerous flake tools; few, however, apparently for highly specialized functions; use of bone, antler, or ivory very rare; relatively few tools with more than one or two parts

Many more varieties of stone tools; many apparently for specialized functions; frequent use of bone, antler, and ivory; many more tools comprised of two or more component parts

Cultural Contrasts: Neandertals and Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Neandertals Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Hunting Efficiency

and Weapons

No long-distance hunting weapons;

close-proximity weapons used (thus,

more likelihood of injury)

Use of spear-thrower and bow and arrow; wider range of social

contacts, perhaps permitting larger, more organized hunting parties (including game drives)

Stone Material

Transport

Stone materials transported only short distances

Stone tool raw materials transported over much longer

distances, implying wider social networks and perhaps trade

Cultural Contrasts: Neandertals and Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Neandertals Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Art Artwork uncommon; usually small; probably

mostly of a personal nature; some items

perhaps misinterpreted as “art”; others may be

intrusive from overlying Upper Paleolithic contexts;

cave art absent

Artwork much more common, including transportable objects as well as elaborate cave art; well executed,using a variety of materials and techniques;

stylistic sophistication

Cultural Contrasts: Neandertals and Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Neandertals Upper Paleolithic Modern Humans

Burial Deliberate burial at several sites; graves unelaborated; graves frequently lack artifacts

Burials much more complex, frequently including both tools and remains of animals

Three Major Evolutionary Transitions1. Transition from early Homo to H. erectus.

Geographically limited to Africa and occurred rapidly.

2. Transition of H. erectus grading into early H. sapiens. Not geographically limited, but occurred slowly and unevenly.

3. Transition from Archaic H. sapiens to anatomically modern H. sapiens.

Quick Quiz

1. The evolution of the genus Homo over the last two million years

a) can be divided into at least three major transitions.

b) has been fairly steady.c) has been uniform over the different

geographic regions.d) can be clearly interpreted unlike the

evolution of the Australopithecines.

Answer: a The evolution of the genus Homo over

the last two million years can be divided into at least three major transitions.

2. With regard to the evolution of the genus Homo, most paleoanthropologistsa) agree that two or three different

species of archaic sapiens existed.b) agree that all members of the genus

should be lumped into one species.c) agree that Homo erectus should also

be included in the species sapiens.d) have differing opinions regarding the

interpretation of the fossil material.

Answer: d With regard to the evolution of the genus

Homo, most paleoanthropologists have differing opinions regarding the interpretation of the fossil material.

3. Paleoanthropologists study the sudden expansion of modern Homo sapiens. One problem they have is explaining what happened to the _________________ .

Answer: Neandertals Paleoanthropologists study the sudden

expansion of modern Homo sapiens. One problem they have is explaining what happened to the Neandertals.

4. Neandertals used fire routinely. True False

Answer: True Neandertals used fire routinely.