{"product_id":"archaic-humans-charles-river-9798266431676","title":"Archaic Humans: The History of the Different Prehistoric Species in the Genus Homo","description":"The evolutionary path from the original primates to modern man is a long one and has taken many twists and turns, but naturally, as the fossil record grows, scientists gain a more complete understanding of our own mental and physical history in terms of genetics and anatomy. However, the correct order and relationships of the various specimen types are difficult to pin down. Many representative samples have been found in such minute amounts as to not preclude anomalies. They have been discovered in various stages of wear. Modern features did not occur simultaneously or uniformly, taking millions of years to become manifest in later types. Up to the present day's \u003ci\u003eHomo sapiens\u003c\/i\u003e, examples of the main types have been hybrids of older and more modern features. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOne of the earliest species of the genus \u003ci\u003eHomo \u003c\/i\u003eto be discovered is \u003ci\u003eHomo habilis\u003c\/i\u003e, which basically means \"handy man.\" The name comes from the belief at the time of its discovery that this species was the first to start using stone tools. The first fossils to be uncovered in Olduvai Gorge were from the same stratigraphic layer as simple stone tools. Fossils of the crania and postcranial skeleton for this species have been found in both eastern and southern Africa and date to around 2.5-1.6 million years ago. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eGiven the gradual changes that take place in evolution, \u003ci\u003eHomo habilis\u003c\/i\u003e shares a number of characteristics that are similar to the genus Australopithecus, such as in the postcranial elements. That said, the size and shape of the \u003ci\u003eHomo habilis\u003c\/i\u003e skull are markedly different. The size of the brain is much larger relative to the size of the body, being around 680 cc. In order to house a larger brain, the skull features a more vertical frontal bone, creating a more vertical forehead. The brow ridges that sit on the lower portion of the frontal bone are also reduced in size. Other reductions in the face include reduced prognathism and a reduction in the size of the premolars and molars. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThere is a wide variation of traits found in this species, and given the fragmentary nature of some of the elements, it is possible that they belong to other species of \u003ci\u003eHomo \u003c\/i\u003elike \u003ci\u003eHomo rudolfensis.\u003c\/i\u003e Another possibility is that sexual dimorphism was more pronounced in \u003ci\u003eHomo habilis \u003c\/i\u003ethan previously thought. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhat is generally accepted is that \u003ci\u003eHomo habilis\u003c\/i\u003e was capable of making stone tools. These tools were flakes that were broken off from a core and had sharp edges. These tools could serve a number of purposes, such as cutting up the remains of an animal or cleaning its skin. But while \u003ci\u003eHomo habilis \u003c\/i\u003ealmost certainly used tools, scholars still debate which species of \u003ci\u003eHomo \u003c\/i\u003eactually began making stone tools first since the species \u003ci\u003eHomo rudolfensis \u003c\/i\u003ealso lived during the same time. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhile the facial features of \u003ci\u003eHomo erectus \u003c\/i\u003ewould have made them noticeably different if they were alive today, their postcranial morphology may have been similar to modern humans. A key difference is the density or thickness of the bones; in \u003ci\u003eHomo erectus\u003c\/i\u003e the limb bones are more robust, but otherwise they appear very similar to modern humans. The length of the hindlimbs in relation to the arms is similar to modern humans, which means that \u003ci\u003eHomo erectus\u003c\/i\u003e may have been able to walk in a similar way. (Richtmire 1993: 57-84). This may or may not be linked with the widespread distribution of \u003ci\u003eHomo erectus\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePerhaps more important for \u003ci\u003eHomo erectus \u003c\/i\u003ethan simply being able to walk out of Africa would have been the ability to adapt to changing climates and essentially modify the environment around them. Most notably, the major advantage that \u003ci\u003eHomo erectus\u003c\/i\u003e would have had is the ability to control fire.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Charles River\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798266431676\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/21\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 178\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.94lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.00h x 8.50w x 0.38d","brand":"Charles River","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48137218752767,"sku":"9798266431676","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_ec5d55b0-e35c-4715-8eed-3963e230e2c6.jpg?v=1770167357","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/archaic-humans-charles-river-9798266431676","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}