Test Two

What was the diversity of hominin biological populations, hominin culture, and the geographic distribution of each hominin species two million years ago?

Some of the hominin species that existed up to about two million years ago include Australopithecines africanus, Australopithecines afarenensis, Australopithecines garhi, and Paranthropus aethiopecus. They were all geographically distributed in Africa. Australopithecines africanus is presumed to have lived in South Africa where most fossils were obtained, Australopithecines afarenensis in East African area, Paranthropus aethiopecus and Australopithecines garhi lived in Ethiopia. The three species of the genus Australopithecines had average body sizes which weighed 65 pounds to 100 pounds and 3.5 feet to 5 feet. Paranthropus aethiopecus is likely to have been 10 pounds heavier than species of genus Australopithecines, and were three to four feet tall. Australopithecines africanus used simple tools made from the immediate environment such as sticks. Australopithecines afarenensis is presumed to have fed on fruits and herbs but had strong chewing muscles. Australopithecines garhi were hunters, butchering animals using stone flaked tools. The strong jaws and primitivity of Paranthropus aethiopecus suggest that they were gatherers feeding on nuts, tubers, and roots.

What was the diversity of hominin biological populations, hominin culture, and the geographic distribution of each hominin species one million years ago?

The hominin species that lived up to about one million years ago include Paranthropus robustus, Paranthropus boisei, Early Homo habilis, Early Homo rudolphensis, and Middle Homo georgicus. Paranthropus robustus could communicate using vocal capabilities and are likely to have used bones as tools for excavation of termite mounds. They also had strong chewing muscles and large teeth, suggesting that they fed on roots, nuts, and seeds. This species lived in the southern part of Africa, weighing 88 to 119 pounds and was about one meter tall. Paranthropus boisei lived in Africa, and reveals the Oldowan traditions, using tools to butcher animals. This species weighed about 75 to 108 pounds and lived in Eastern parts of Africa. The Early Homo habilis lived in Africa and are the undisputed makers of stone tools. They were hunters and fed on meat. The Middle Homo georgicus lived in Asia. They had small faces with robust skulls, and their spines and lower limbs more modern. This species is casually referred to as the earliest European man.

What was the diversity of hominin biological populations, hominin culture, and the geographic distribution of each hominin species 350,000 years ago?

Within this period, some hominin species that existed include the Middle Homo erectus and the Middle Homo heidelbergensis. The Homo erectus was much larger un body size and had a larger brain than its predecessors. For instance, they had a brain size that averaged 1,000 cc compared to 700 cc for Homo georgicus. The height of Homo erectus was between five and six feet. This species was much-developed civilization-wise, as they had a more advanced hunting practice and came up with the control of fire. They even used fire for cooking purposes. Current evidence indicates that Homo erectus lived in parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Some fossils have been obtained from the Great Rift Valley in Africa. The Middle Homo heidelbergensis range of antiquity overlapped that of Homo erectus, and lived in the same geographical locations – parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. They used improvised stone tools for hunting and butchering animals. It is presumed that this species had novel furniture. They were about five feet tall and weighed between 112 and 136 pounds.

What was the diversity of hominin biological populations, hominin culture, and the geographic distribution of each of hominin species 70,000 years ago?

The Late Homo neandertal and Homo floresiensis existed within this period. Homo neandertal lived in Europe and Asia, and are presumed to have evolved from Homo heidelbergensis. Some traces have also suggested that some populations of this species lived in the Middle East until 50,000 years ago. DNA tests and theoretical approaches suggest that this was a subpopulation of the Homo sapiens. They had large brow ridges, very strong limbs, large noses and rugged. They had brainpower of 1,450 cc, which is larger than the presumed predecessor. They had developed cultural practices such as feeding on certain meats and fruits and controlling fire. Homo floresiensis lived in Asia. The evidence available about their culture indicates that they were advanced hunters, who fed on large animals such as elephants. They had skilled control of fire, which was used in cooking such huge animals for food. The success of such endeavours was facilitated by tools, which is currently controversial since their brainpower is typically very low (400 cc).

What was the diversity of hominin biological populations, hominin culture, and the geographic distribution of each of those species 30,000 years ago?

At about 30,000 years ago, only the modern Homo sapiens species existed of all the hominins. This species lived in Africa, Asia, and Europe 30,000 years ago, and its existence currently represented by all human beings. It is the common ancestral genealogical mark, from which all humans have diverged (evolved). These early modern humans were skilled in social skills such as arts and had more advanced hunting, cooking, communication, and fire control skills. They also shared resources such as land with their fellow humans. Research has shown (DNA tests) that they in Africa, modern Homo sapiens increased significantly both genetically and culturally. They had powerful brain power ranging up to 1400 cc. This enabled them to make advanced tools, make judgements, and execute skills such as communication and those concerning artisan. They had fairly a flat face and could move on the two lower limbs more comfortably and for long distances.