Homo erectus
"The Upright Man"
Abstract
​Homo erectus is the longest lived hominid species, first emerging in Africa around two million years ago. The species migrated into Asia before ending up on the Indonesian island of Java. It was the first human species to walk fully upright dubbing the nickname "upright man."
DISCOVERY
Where They Lived: Northern, Eastern, and Southern Africa; Western Asia; East Asia
When They Lived: Between about 1.89 million and 110,000 years ago
Eugene Dubois found the first Homo erectus individual in Indonesia in 1891. This is included in the first documented fossil discoveries in Java (1890s) and China (1920s) suggesting that this was the first species to have expanded beyond Africa. These discoveries reveal that H. erectus are the oldest known early humans to have modern human- like body proportions with elongated legs and shorter arms compared to the torso. The most complete fossil of this species is known as the ‘Turkana Boy.’ This well preserved skeleton -minus some hand and foot bones- is dated around 1.6 million years old. A microscopic study of his teeth indicate he grew at the same rate as a great ape which is almost nine times as long as Homo sapiens. This makes them the longest living human species.
BEHAVIOR
Homo erectus is often associated with the first major innovation in stone tool technology. Known as the Acheulean stone tool industry, it consisted of the construction of large cutting tools like hand axes and cleavers. This development helped H. erectus survive during ever changing climates. Creating long term shelter in oval huts and grass areas H.erectus lived in small groups of about 20-30. Even the earliest evidence of campfires occurred during the time of Homo erectus. The species utilized such hearths to cook, social gathering places, source of warmth, and the protection from large predators. The consumption of meat and other types of protein made it easier and faster for nutrient absorption through their short digestive tract. According to the Smithsonian and fossils, there is evidence indicating the species took care of old and weak individuals after the findings of nursed injuries and such. Interestingly, towards the end of their range, around 143,000 years ago, H. erectus were found coexisting with Homo sapiens in Indonesia.
ADAPTATIONS
Height: ranged from 4 ft 9 in – 6 ft 1 in
Weight: ranged from 88 – 150 lbs
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Homo erectus possessed features such as elongated legs and shorter arms as adaptations to a life mainly on ground. This exhibited the loss of tree climbing adaptations and the ability to walk or run long distances as seen in earlier fossil humans. Encephalization was also apparent as the body grew, the brain and skull sizes grew as well. The earliest fossil individual had a brain size similar to those of australopiths, but later fossil discoveries documented a 50% brain size increase.
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Demise
Research indicates H. erectus likely went extinct due to the changes of climates. Several fossils were found combined with animal fossils as it is hypothesized they experienced a mass death due to a massive flood. Discovered deep in the environment of Ngandong, it was once similar to the climate in Africa where they evolved. The sudden change from a woodland environment to one of a rain forest is likely what killed them, with no room to adapt.