Question

1. Identify basic trends in hominid evolution from early ancestors six million years ago to modern humans:
*
20 points
brain size
language
use of tools

Answer 1

Brief, scored-answer style summary of major trends (6 million years ago → today):

1) Brain size
- General trend: steady increase in cranial capacity and reorganization of the brain.
- Rough values (approximate):
- Early hominins (Sahelanthropus, Ardipithecus, australopiths): ~350–500 cc
- Early Homo (H. habilis): ~500–700 cc
- H. erectus: ~700–1,100 cc
- Archaic H. sapiens / H. heidelbergensis and Neanderthals: ~1,100–1,600 cc
- Modern H. sapiens: ~1,200–1,600 cc (average ~1,350 cc)
- Consequences: greater cognitive capacity, more complex social behavior, planning, and symbolic thought.

2) Language
- Trend: emergence and gradual elaboration of complex vocal and symbolic communication.
- Evidence and timing:
- Anatomical changes (vocal tract, enlargement of language-related brain areas) visible in Homo by ~500–300 kya; Neanderthals had hyoid bone similar to modern humans and carried the FOXP2 allele.
- Direct symbolic/linguistic behavior (art, complex burials, symbolic artifacts) becomes widespread by ~100–50 kya, indicating fully developed language and symbolic thought by then.
- Note: language leaves little direct fossil trace; inference is from anatomy, genetics, and symbolic artifacts.

3) Use of tools
- Trend: increasing complexity, standardization, specialization, and cumulative cultural transmission of technology.
- Key technological stages:
- Possible very simple tools before 3 mya; clear Oldowan (flake and core) tools from ~2.6 mya (early Homo and late australopiths).
- Acheulean handaxes and standardized bifaces from ~1.8 mya (H. erectus).
- Prepared-core (Levallois/Mousterian) technologies and more diverse toolkits from ~300–40 kya (Neanderthals, archaic and modern H. sapiens).
- Upper Paleolithic innovation (~50–10 kya): blade technologies, bone and antler tools, fishing gear, projectile points, art, and specialized tools.
- Consequences: improved diet (meat, cooked food), expanded ranges, niche exploitation, and cultural accumulation.

Short synthesis: From ~6 mya to today hominids show increased brain size and neural reorganization, progressive emergence of complex vocal and symbolic communication, and a long-term trend toward more complex, standardized, and culturally transmitted tool use — all interacting to produce the behavioral and cognitive capacities of modern humans.