"Homo erectus"

Homo erectus Homo erectus (upright man) is an extinct species of hominin that lived throughout most of the Pleistocene, with the earliest first fossil evidence dating to around 1.8 million years ago and the most recent to around 143,000 years ago. The species originated in Africa and spread as far as England, Georgia, India, Sri Lanka, China and Java. The discussion about the size and the outer appearance, history of discovery and fossils, and the humanity, dispersal and the daily life of Homo erectus help to understand the Homo erectus because, every single detailed information gives not just the basic knowledge but the knowledge in more professional way. Early African Homo ergaster fossils known as Homo erectus fossils are considered as the oldest early humans that has the modern human-like body proportions. They are the oldest known early humans to have possessed modern human-like body with relatively elongated legs and shorter arms compared to the size of the torso (qtd. in humanorigins.edu). These features are considered adaptations to a life lived on the ground, indicating the loss of earlier tree-climbing adaptations, with the ability to walk and possibly run long distances. Compared with earlier fossil humans, note the expanded braincase relative to the size of the face. The most complete fossil individual of this species is known as the ‘Turkana Boy’ – a well-preserved skeleton (though minus almost all the hand and foot bones), dated around 1.6 million years old. Microscopic study of the teeth indicates that he grew up at a growth rate similar to that of a great ape. There is fossil evidence that this species cared for old and weak individuals. The appearance of Homo erectus in the fossil record is often associated with the earliest handaxes, the first major innovation in stone tool technology. Homo erectus dispersed into Asia more than 1.3 million