CLST 129 Study Guide - Final Guide: Ethnoarchaeology, Social Inequality, Gift Economy
Document Summary
Homo: us and ancestors, have large brains, small teeth, able to use sophisticated tools. Laetoli footprint trail: two early humans walked through wet volcanic ash. Early species of the human family belonging to the australopithecus genus lived in forests with small areas of grassland. Bipedal, spend a lot of time on ground, could climb, remained close to trees for shelter and protection from predators. Hominins were not fast, easy prey for predators. Recent ice age made grassland expand and forests shrink, so had to adapt. Hominins became fully terrestrial, developed larger bodies and brain capacity. To survive, rely on cooperation and social behaviour, and use of tools led to genus homo. Homo habilis: smaller teeth, increase cranial capacity, shorter jaw, flatter face, maybe first to make tools. Homo erectus: direct human ancestors, bigger body and brain size, used sophisticated tools (hand- axe), fire for cooking,