Scribe Post: 2/14/11

TODAY, boys and girls, we finished our notes packet and worked on lab 32 in class (ooooooooooooooohhh) The notes taught us the names and characteristics of our evolutionary predecesor

• Homo habilis- "handy man"- enlargement of brain, lived in east Africa
• Homo erectus- extended territory to different parts of the world. Changes in diet included more meat consumption (from hunted animals), refined tools, taller, larger brain capacity (Thus more cognititve thought), lived in caves, built fires (hallelujah), social cooperation, African, Asian, European, and Austrailian.
• Neandarthals- (descendents of H. erectus/ precursor to H. sapien)- Heavier browridges (sloped foreheads, similiar to gorillas), less pronounced chins, slightly larger brain size than us, skilled toolmakers, burials and rituals, abstract thought. Stereotypical "caveman", found in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
• Homo sapiens- regionally diverse

- A.) Archiac Homo sapiens- oldest, over 300,000 years old, lived in Africa, Can include Neandarthals.

- B.) Cro-Magnon- like modern humans, lived in french caves (found cave drawings there), 35,000 years old.

- C.) Homo sapiens sapiens- Les humains modernes (modern humans :)

What happened to various H. Erectus descendents????

• Multiregional hypothesis- Modern humans evolved simultaneously around the world. Genetic similiarities due to interbreeding with neighboring tribes.
• "Out of Africa" hypothesis- (aka replacement hypothesis) Modern human arose from group in Africa and then spread around the world about 100,000 years ago. (Most widely accepted because of genetic backing)

Cultural Evolution-

• Erect stance- Most radical change in our evolution. Required MAJOR realignment of pelvis, feet, and spine.
• Enlargement of brain- secondary alteration-made possible by lengthened skull growth period. Accounts for lengthened parental care, and offspring learn from past generations.
• Culture- transmission of accumulated knowledge by writing or storytelling.

- 3 MAJOR CULTURAL STAGES:
Nomad, Agricultural, and Industrial.
Basicallly, we're more advanced than the "cavemen" because we've learnt from other's mistakes. We are no more smarter, but have the advantage of accumulated knowledge from past generations relayed to us by our parents, media, books, and TEACHERS (Thank you Mrs. Andrews :)


HOMEWORK:
- LAB 32 IN UP- DUE MONDAY
- TEST TUESDAY
- FINISH UP FOR TUESDAY :)


next scribe: Claire T.