10: Early Members of the Genus Homo

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Learning Objectives

Describe how early Pleistocene climate change influenced the evolution of the genus Homo.
Identify the characteristics that define the genus Homo.
Describe the skeletal anatomy of Homo habilis and Homo erectus based on the fossil evidence.
Assess opposing points of view about how early Homo should be classified.
Describe what is known about the adaptive strategies of early members of the Homo genus, including tool technologies, diet, migration patterns, and other behavioral trends.

Image: Head model of Home erectus adult female by Tim Evanson under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>

10.1: The Genus Homo, The Environment, and Evolution
The previous chapter described our oldest human ancestors, primarily members of the genus Australopithecus who lived between 2 million and 4 million years ago. This chapter introduces the earliest members of the genus Homo, focusing on the species Homo habilis and Homo erectus.
10.2: Homo Habilis
Homo habilis has traditionally been considered the earliest species placed in the genus Homo. However, as we will see, there is substantial disagreement among paleoanthropologists about the fossils classified as Homo habilis, including whether they come from a single or multiple species, or even whether they should be part of the genus Homo at all.
10.3: Homo Erectus
After 2 million years ago, a new hominin appeared on the scene. Known as Homo erectus, the prevailing scientific view was that this species was much more like us. These hominins were equipped with bigger brains and large bodies with limb proportions similar to our own. Perhaps most importantly, their way of life is now one that is recognizably human, with more advanced tools, hunting, use of fire, and colonizing new environments outside of Africa.
10.4: The Big Picture of Early Homo
We are discovering that the evolution of the genus Homo is more complex than what was previously thought. The earlier prevailing view of a simple progression from Australopithecus to Homo habilis to Homo erectus as clearly delineated stages in human evolution just doesn’t hold up anymore.
10.5: End of Chapter Review
Discussion questions and key term definitions.
10.6: Meet the Authors

Acknowledgments

The author gratefully acknowledges funding from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Zero Textbook Cost Degree Grant Program—Implementation Phase 2.