Homo Erectus : Upright Man

Homo Erectus : Upright Man

by Mr. Metzger

​Homo Erectus

​Another type of hominin was discovered in 1891 by a Dutchman named Eugene Dubois (doo-BWAH). While he and his team were searching for artifacts on the island of Java, off the southern coast of Asia, they found a new type of hominin skull.

In time, Dubois's team, and scientists who followed him, discovered the bones of many more hominins. As scientists assembled the bones, they observed that these hominins stood up straight. Paleoanthropologists named this hominin group Homo erectus (UH-rek-tuhs), or “Upright Man.” (At this time, Handy Man had not yet been discovered.)

Multiple Choice

What is the best reason why Homo Erectus is called " upright man" ?

• because he used tools well

• because he was able to stand upright

• because he crawled around on all fours

• because he was very responsible and accountable

​Homo Erectus

​

Upright Man lived on Earth longer than any other hominin group from 1.9 million to about 140,000 B.C.E. Scientists believe that they were the first hominins to migrate out of Africa. Their remains have been found in both Asia and Europe.

It is no wonder that scientists have found the bones of Upright Man in many places. This group of hominins was well-suited for traveling. They were taller and thinner than earlier hominins—some even reaching the height of modern humans. Their bones were very strong. And they were good walkers and runners.

Multiple Choice

Homo Erectus was the first group of hominins to migrate out of Africa.  What do you think this means ?

• They adapted well to the warm climate.

• They took their kids on trips.

• They ate a healthy diet.

• They moved to other parts of the world.

​Homo Erectus

​

The facial features of Upright Man looked more like those of modern humans than the faces of earlier hominins. Upright Man hominins had foreheads that sloped backwards. But they still had a large ridge above the eyes, a thicker skull, and a jaw that stuck out.

Like Handy Man, hominins in the Upright Man group were toolmakers. But their larger brains enabled them to invent more complex tools, including strong hand axes made of stone.

Multiple Choice

What characteristic about Homo Erectus allowed them to make complex tools ?

• They had a larger brain than previous hominin groups.

• They had very strong hands.

• They knew how to make things from wood.

• They had an account at Home Depot.

​Upright Man.....

​

One of Upright Man's greatest advantages was the ability to use fire. Anthropologists have found burned animal bones in the same places as Upright Man remains. This is a clue that Upright Man may have used fire to cook animal meat.

Scientists aren't sure whether these hominins were hunters or merely gatherers, finding dead animals to eat. But studies of their tools and teeth show that they ate more meat than earlier hominins did.

The remains of an ancient campsite found in Japan have offered additional clues about how Upright Man lived. Some scientists guess that this group built oval huts by covering posts with tree branches. The group kept a fire burning in the center of the hut, and members likely sat and slept on animal skins. They may have decorated their bodies with red-colored mud called ocher.

Multiple Choice

What conclusion did scientists make by studying the tools and teeth of homo erectus ?

• They brushed their teeth and flossed.

• They ate more meat than other hominin groups.

• They could build huge buildings.

• They ate too much candy.

​Upright Man ....

​Scientists believe that Upright Man groups moved from place to place, building shelters with tools and using fire to keep warm. These capabilities helped them travel farther and survive for longer periods than earlier hominins could. The ability to construct shelters allowed Upright Man to adapt to colder climates and live in areas without caves or other natural shelters. The ability to control fire helped them survive the cold, cook animal meat, and protect themselves from predators.

Poll

Which of these abilities was probably the most impressive about Homo Erectus ?

• They could make and control fire.

• They could construct better tools than other groups.

• They were able to build shelters.