Homo erectus, our ancient ancestor | Natural History Museum

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Homo erectus achieved many significant milestones in the story of human evolution."/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-dmanisi-skull-cast-social.jpg"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor.html"/> <script src="/etc/clientlibs/nhmwww/jquery.js"></script> <script src="https://assets.adobedtm.com/c2b29812570b/d7d2d2aae38a/launch-e413b49718e8.min.js" async></script> <script> var dataLayerOb = { "event": "pageView", "page": {"path":"/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor.html","site":"main site","siteSearchResultPage":false,"errorPage":false,"articlePage":true,"domain":"www.nhm.ac.uk","transactionPage":false,"title":"Homo erectus, our ancient ancestor | Natural History Museum","url":"https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor.html"}, "article": {"datePublished":"2018-10-09","primaryHub":"human evolution","articleTitle":"Homo erectus, our ancient ancestor","dateLastUpdated":"2022-05-27","author":"Lisa Hendry","likes":"","tags":["fact file","extinction","fossils","prehistoric"]}, "user": {"id2":"","id1":""} }; 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There is a lot of variety between individuals, which may be accounted for by the species having existed for so long and over such a wide area.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div>  <button id="saved-articles__modal-open" class="saved-articles__bookmark" aria-label="Open saved articles list"> <div class="bookmark-wrapper"> <svg fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24" stroke="currentColor"> <path fill="#000" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M5 5a2 2 0 012-2h10a2 2 0 012 2v16l-7-3.5L5 21V5z"/> </svg> <span class="bookmark-badge" id="badge__count"></span> </div> </button>  <div id="saved-articles__overlay" class="saved-articles__overlay" data-state="closed"> <div class="saved-articles__modal" data-gtm-component="saved-articles-modal" aria-modal="true"> <div class="saved-articles" id="saved-articles__modal">  <div class="saved-articles__header-wrapper"> <h3 class="saved-articles__header-title"> Read later <span id="saved-articles__count"></span> </h3> <div class="saved-articles__close-wrapper"> <button aria-label="Close" id="saved-articles__modal-close" type="button" class="saved-articles__close-button">Close</button> </div> </div>  <div class="beta-container"> <div> <span class="beta-badge">Beta</span> </div> <div> <p>During <a class="beta-link" href="/about-us/beta-testing.html">Beta testing</a> articles may only be saved for seven days. </p> </div> </div>  <div class="modal__details"> <ul class="saved-articles__list" id="saved-articles__list"></ul> <div id="saved-articles__empty"> <div class="text-content"> <p>Create a list of articles to read later. You will be able to access your list from any article in Discover.</p> <p>You don't have any saved articles.</p> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="saved-articles__footer-wrapper"> <button id="saved-articles__save-button" type="button" class="saved-articles__add-to-list">+ add current article to list</button> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="section"> <div class="layout-row" data-columns="21">  <div class="article layout-column"> <div class="article--tags-header" data-gtm-component="hub-header"> <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/human-evolution.html">HUMAN EVOLUTION</a> </div> <h1 class="article--title-header"><i>Homo erectus</i>, our ancient ancestor</h1> <div class="article--secondary-info flow"> <div class="article--meta-container"> <div class="article--meta-author">By Lisa Hendry</div> </div> <div class="cluster"> <div class="social-icons-list"> <div class="social-share--container"> <div class="social-share--icons cluster"> <div class="facebook social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share on facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="social-share--icon"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M15.1783 21.9729V15.143H17.5302L17.882 12.4813H15.1783V10.7824C15.1783 10.0119 15.398 9.48656 16.5315 9.48656L17.9776 9.4859V7.10507C17.7275 7.07269 16.8692 7 15.8705 7C13.7858 7 12.358 8.24031 12.358 10.5181V12.4813H10V15.143H12.358V21.9729H15.1783Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="twitter social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share on twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Homo%20erectus,%20our%20ancient%20ancestor%0Ahttps://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M22.1667 9.68591C21.6087 9.94384 21.0089 10.1176 20.3795 10.1959C21.0222 9.79514 21.5158 9.16018 21.7477 8.4035C21.1467 8.7746 20.4806 9.04438 19.7716 9.18979C19.2047 8.5601 18.3952 8.16663 17.5004 8.16663C15.4914 8.16663 14.0152 10.1182 14.469 12.1441C11.8837 12.0093 9.59097 10.7196 8.05598 8.75947C7.24077 10.2156 7.63321 12.1205 9.01843 13.0851C8.50908 13.068 8.02881 12.9225 7.60983 12.6797C7.5757 14.1806 8.60893 15.5847 10.1054 15.8973C9.66744 16.021 9.18779 16.0499 8.69993 15.9526C9.09553 17.2396 10.2444 18.1759 11.6069 18.2022C10.2988 19.2701 8.65064 19.7472 7 19.5445C8.37701 20.4637 10.0131 21 11.7699 21C17.5472 21 20.8111 15.9197 20.614 11.3631C21.2219 10.9058 21.7496 10.3353 22.1667 9.68591V9.68591Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> <div class="email social-share--icon--container"> <a aria-label="Share by email" href="mailto:?subject=Homo%20erectus,%20our%20ancient%20ancestor&body=http%3A//www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor"> <svg width="28" height="28" viewBox="0 0 28 28" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="social-share--icon"> <circle cx="14" cy="14" r="14" fill="#333333"/> <path d="M22.9269 8.40756C22.9269 8.40756 22.7861 7.08155 21.4675 7.00002C21.1491 7.00002 10.0223 7.00002 10.0223 7.00002H6.51115C6.51115 7.00002 5.16957 6.9768 5.01465 8.40756C5.02208 8.415 9.39591 12.9117 9.39591 12.9117L11.0682 14.6305L12.0205 15.4899C12.0205 15.4899 13.5535 16.8602 15.2302 15.9268C15.2302 15.9268 15.4581 15.815 15.9266 15.4009C16.4092 14.974 20.4602 10.8598 20.4602 10.8598C20.4602 10.8598 22.8751 8.43729 22.9269 8.40756Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M22.9409 10.0391V17.047L19.4297 13.5505L22.9409 10.0391Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M5 10.0391V17.047L8.51142 13.5505L5 10.0391Z" fill="white"/> <path d="M9.33304 14.3785L11.0911 16.1402C11.0911 16.1402 11.8808 16.8758 12.2524 17.0073C12.2601 17.0229 14.0253 17.9364 15.8835 16.8835C15.8911 16.8758 16.3868 16.6124 17.4009 15.5751C18.4152 14.5376 18.5778 14.375 18.5778 14.375L22.9135 18.6875L22.9367 18.7184C22.9367 18.7184 22.805 20.0732 21.4346 20.0888C20.0643 20.1043 6.66243 20.0964 6.66243 20.0964C6.66243 20.0964 5.20681 20.1738 5.021 18.7028L9.33304 14.3785Z" fill="white"/> </svg> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-gtm-component="like-button-top" class="article-likes-container"> <div class="like-container" data-page-path="/discover/homo-erectus-our-ancient-ancestor"> <a href="#" aria-label="Clap button for article likes" class="like-button-link" tabindex="0"> <span class="clap-svg"></span> <span aria-label="0 article likes" class="like-count js-like-count">0</span> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="article--introduction"><p>The extinct ancient human <i>Homo erectus</i> is a species of firsts. It was the first of our relatives to have human-like body proportions, with shorter arms and longer legs relative to its torso. It was also the first known hominin to migrate out of Africa, and possibly the first to cook food. </p> </div> <div class="article--content"> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>In terms of species survival,聽<i>Homo erectus</i>聽is a huge success story. Fossil evidence for聽<i>H. erectus</i>聽stretches over聽more than 1.5 million years, making it by far the longest surviving of all our human relatives.</p> <p>Compare this to our own species,聽<i>Homo sapiens</i>, which has been around for perhaps 400,000 years so far, and we begin to appreciate their ability to survive over a long period marked by聽many changes to the environment and climate.</p> <p><i>H. erectus</i> was also the most geographically widespread species apart from <i>H. sapiens</i>. <i>H. erectus</i> appeared in Africa about two million years ago, evolving from either a late form of australopith or one of the more primitive forms of <i>Homo</i>, and went on to spread into many parts of Asia.</p> <p>Scientists disagree over how聽<i>H. erectus</i>聽and聽<i>H. sapiens</i>聽relate to each other, but most agree that聽<i>H. erectus</i>聽can be called an ancestor of modern humans.</p> </div> </div> <div class="headertextimage parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="hti" class="hti-wrapper " data-equalizer-watch > <div class="hti-box end columns hti-box__light-grey small-12 medium-12 large-12 " data-equalizer-watch > <div class="small-12 medium-12 large-12 columns hti-box--text-wrapper" > <h3> <i>Homo erectus</i> facts </h3> <ul> <li><b>Lived: </b>from about two million years ago until at least 250,000 years ago</li> <li><b>Where:</b> Africa, Asia and perhaps Europe</li> <li><b>Appearance: </b>human-like body proportions and upright stance, a protruding聽brow ridge, large face and no chin</li> <li><b>Brain size: </b>about 550-1,250cm<sup>3</sup></li> <li><b>Height:</b> about 1.4-1.8m</li> <li><b>Weight:</b> about 41-65kg</li> <li><b>Diet: </b>meat (initially from scavenging but later potentially also from hunting) and plants</li> <li><b>Species named in: </b>1893 (as <i>Anthropopithecus erectus,</i> renamed <i>Pithecanthropus erectus</i> in 1894 and <i>Homo erectus</i> in 1950) following its 1891 discovery</li> <li><b>Name meaning:</b> 'upright human'</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>When did <i>Homo erectus</i> live?</h2> <p><i>H. erectus</i> is the longest lived of all human species. Although some researchers believe that what we now know as <i>erectus </i>consists of several distinct species (including <i>Homo georgicus</i> and <i>Homo ergaster</i>), most accept a broad diagnosis of the species.</p> <p>The earliest <a href="/discover/what-is-a-fossil.html">fossils</a> that are complete enough to display the anatomical pattern of <i>H. erectus</i> are from eastern Africa and western Asia, and are about 1.5 to 1.9 million years old. The conventional view is that the species evolved in Africa about two million years ago.</p> <p>Precisely when - and why - <i>H. erectus</i> disappeared is unclear, but it appears to have survived in parts of Indonesia until at least 250,000 years ago.</p> <p>Disputed evidence of the very late survival of <i>H. erectus</i> on the Indonesian island of Java exists in the form of fossil braincases (the part of the skull that encloses the brain) and a few other fragments. Some methods have dated these to older than 200,000 years, others to less than 50,000 years. The fossils show the characteristic <i>H. erectus</i> anatomy, but display brain sizes up to 50% larger than earlier examples of the species from the island.</p> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>Where did <i>Homo erectus</i> live?</h2> <p>Current evidence suggests all hominins before <i>H. erectus</i> lived in Africa. However, almost as soon as this species appears in the fossil record there is evidence it expanded out of Africa and into western Asia, then to eastern Asia and Indonesia.</p> <p>A small skull fragment from East Turkana, Kenya, dates to about 1.9 million years ago, supporting an African origin. But the first fossils were found in Asia, and it is in Asia where this species survived for so long.</p> <p>Fossil evidence for <i>H. erectus</i> in western Asia comes from exciting finds, made at Dmanisi in Georgia from 1991 onwards, that are about 1.8-1.85 million years old.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-cast-human-evolution-gallery-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-cast-human-evolution-gallery-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-cast-human-evolution-gallery-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-cast-human-evolution-gallery-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-cast-human-evolution-gallery-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-cast-human-evolution-gallery-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Dmanisi skull cast"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Cast of skull 5 (D4500) - the most complete <i>Homo erectus</i> skull found at Dmanisi, Georgia - on display in the Museum's <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/galleries-and-museum-map/human-evolution.html" target="_self">Human Evolution gallery</a>. The original fossil skull is about 1.8 million years old.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>The species spread into eastern Asia, including China, where it appears to have been present until at least 300,000 years ago.</p> <p>In southeast Asia, <i>H. erectus</i> was a long-term inhabitant of Java. <i>H. erectus</i> fossils there date from about 1.6 million years to at least 250,000 years ago.</p> <p>The species may have survived more recently in Taiwan, the Philippines and on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, but the evidence isn't conclusive.</p> <p>We don't know whether <i>H. erectus</i> reached Europe. But since the assortment of animal fossils found at Dmanisi closely resembles the forest and grassland fauna of southern Europe from the same time, an early human settlement of that region is at least a possibility.</p> <h2>Why did <i>Homo erectus</i> leave Africa?</h2> <p>Dispersal of species happens for many reasons but essentially聽<i>H. erectus</i>聽probably聽drifted across northern Africa, across the Sinai Peninsula into Asia, when environmental changes meant suitable habitats and food sources stretched that far.</p> <p>For example, sabre-toothed cat remains were found alongside <i>H. erectus</i> fossils in Georgia. The cats apparently dispersed from Africa. These specialised carnivores lacked the teeth to strip a carcass clean of its meat, so might have provided scavenging opportunities for early humans following them out of Africa.</p> <p>It is likely that the spread of <i>H. erectus</i> as far as Java, across what are now islands of Southeast Asia, was possible because these were connected at the time.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/java-island-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/java-island-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/java-island-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/java-island-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/java-island-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/java-island-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Java as it looks today"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Java was intermittently connected to the Southeast Asian mainland, allowing <i>Homo erectus</i> to take up residence there. The species survived on Java for a very long time, until at least 250,000 years ago. 漏 Mohd Farid/Shutterstock.com</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>Meat was an important part of the diet of <i>H. erectus</i> and some carnivorous animals range more widely than herbivores. This, together with their larger body size, may explain the broad geographic range of聽<i>H. erectus</i>.</p> <h2><i>Homo erectus</i> characteristics</h2> <p>The species <i>H. erectus</i> is highly varied - not surprising considering it existed for so long and over such a wide area.</p> <p><i>H. erectus</i> is the oldest known species to have a human-like body, with relatively elongated legs and shorter arms in comparison to its torso. It had an upright posture.</p> <p>By studying the remains of the very complete skeleton known as <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2020/july/human-ancestor-homo-erectus-had-stocky-chest-of-a-neanderthal.html" target="_self">Turkana Boy</a>, scientists have concluded that <i>H. erectus</i> walked and ran in much the same way as we do.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/turkana-boy-skeleton-replica-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/turkana-boy-skeleton-replica-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/turkana-boy-skeleton-replica-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/turkana-boy-skeleton-replica-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/turkana-boy-skeleton-replica-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/turkana-boy-skeleton-replica-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Replica Turkana Boy skeleton"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Replica of the skeleton known as Turkana Boy and Nariokotome Boy on display at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA. It is the most complete early <i>Homo</i> specimen ever discovered. 漏 James St John, licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">CC BY 2.0</a> via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jsjgeology/15278533828" target="_blank">Flickr</a>.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>Individuals were comparable to humans today in terms of body size and shape, although they were more muscular and had much wider hips. Adults grew to about 1.4-1.8 metres tall and weighed 41-65 kilograms.</p> <p><i>H. erectus</i> brain size was smaller than that of humans today - in some cases nearly half the size - and their skulls were thicker.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/skull-comparisons-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/skull-comparisons-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/skull-comparisons-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/skull-comparisons-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/skull-comparisons-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/skull-comparisons-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Skulls of four species of human"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>From left to right: skulls of <i>Homo erectus</i>, <i>Homo heidelbergensis</i>, <i>Homo neanderthalensis</i> and <i>Homo sapiens</i>. The braincase of <i>H. erectus</i> was more elongated than that of later humans. It had a prominent brow ridge, like <i>H. heidelbergensis</i>.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>Early <i>H.</i> <i>erectus</i> had smaller, more primitive teeth, a smaller overall size and thinner, less robust skulls compared to later specimens.</p> <p>The species<i> </i>also had a large face compared to modern humans. Like Neanderthals, their skull was long and low, rather than rounded like our own, and their lower jaw lacked a chin.</p> <p>A prominent brow ridge was present over the eye sockets. Virtually all archaic humans have a brow ridge - this feature reached its maximum size in some <i>H. erectus</i>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-brow-ridge-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-brow-ridge-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-brow-ridge-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-brow-ridge-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-brow-ridge-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-brow-ridge-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Homo erectus skullcap cast"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Cast of <i>Homo erectus</i> skullcap (top part of a skull) from China showing the prominent brow ridge of this species, on display in the Museum's Human Evolution gallery</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>What were brow ridges for?</h2> <p>There has been a lot of debate about what function the brow ridge had, if any.</p> <p>Most ideas concentrate on its role as a feature that strengthened the skull or helped dissipate forces passing through the skull. Researchers have recently indicated the latter was unlikely, instead speculating that it may have had a role in social signalling between archaic human individuals, enhancing friendly or aggressive facial expressions.</p> <h2>What tools did <i>Homo erectus</i> use?</h2> <p><i>H. erectus</i> was the first human species to make handaxes (Acheulean tools). These were sophisticated stone tools crafted on two sides. They were probably used to butcher meat, among other purposes.</p> <p>Prior to that, the tools of ancient humans and their predecessors, including those of the first known <i>H. erectus </i>(at Dmanisi, for example), were much more primitive - simply rock flakes knapped to a sharp edge.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/acheulean-handaxes-and-primitive-tools-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/acheulean-handaxes-and-primitive-tools-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/acheulean-handaxes-and-primitive-tools-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/acheulean-handaxes-and-primitive-tools-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/acheulean-handaxes-and-primitive-tools-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/acheulean-handaxes-and-primitive-tools-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Stone tools on display at the Museum"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Foreground: Acheulean tools first made by <i>Homo erectus</i>, on display in the Museum's Human Evolution gallery. These two-sided handaxes were complex stone tools that continued to be made for more than a million years. Background: more primitive tools.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <h2>What did <i>Homo erectus</i> eat?</h2> <p>Early <i>H. erectus</i> was equipped with a simple set of stone tools that looks best suited to scavenging meat. Later <i>H. erectus</i> peoples produced a wider range of stone tools and were probably active hunters.</p> <p>Some experts believe that the long-legged physique of <i>H. erectus</i> evolved to facilitate long-distance jogging and running across open country to acquire meat.</p> <p>While meat formed a key part of their diet, it is likely that plant resources were also important and they lived as hunter-gatherers.</p> <h2>Did <i>Homo erectus</i> use fire?</h2> <p>The use of fire is an important milestone in human evolution, granting access to light, warmth, protection from predators and the ability to cook food - each of which aids survival.</p> <p>Scientists don't know when humans were first able to make fire at will. Early humans probably captured natural fires and kept them alight for as long as they could.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-fire-and-tool-prep-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-fire-and-tool-prep-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-fire-and-tool-prep-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-fire-and-tool-prep-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-fire-and-tool-prep-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/homo-erectus-fire-and-tool-prep-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Illustration of Homo erectus at work"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Illustration by Maurice Wilson showing <i>Homo erectus</i> using fire and preparing tools</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p><i>H. erectus</i> may have been the earliest human relative to have controlled fire.</p> <p>Evidence is quite thin on the ground, but for example, researchers found <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/109/20/E1215" target="_blank" aria-describedby="new-window">evidence of ash as well as burnt bone fragments</a> in a one-million-year-old sediment layer in the Wonderwerk Cave in South Africa. The site is too far inside a cave for the ash to be caused by a lightning strike and the spontaneous combustion of bat <a href="/discover/guano-mining-a-deadly-obsession.html">guano</a> was ruled out.</p> <h2>History of <i>Homo erectus</i> discovery</h2> <p>The first <i>H. erectus</i> fossils were found in 1891 on the Indonesian island of Java by a Dutch doctor called Eug猫ne Dubois.</p> <p>Before these discoveries, Neanderthals were the only early human for which fossils had been found.</p> <p>Dubois unearthed an isolated tooth (Trinil 1) and - most importantly - the top part of a skull (Trinil 2) and a thigh bone (Trinil 3). Together they have often been referred to as聽Java Man.聽</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/trinil-homo-erectus-fossils.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/trinil-homo-erectus-fossils.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/trinil-homo-erectus-fossils.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/trinil-homo-erectus-fossils.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/trinil-homo-erectus-fossils.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/trinil-homo-erectus-fossils.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Drawing of the Java Man fossils found in 1981"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Drawing of the first <i>Homo erectus</i> fossils found in 1891 on Java, showing the tooth (Trinil 1), skullcap (Trinil 2) and thigh bone (Trinil 3), from <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pithecanthropus-erectus.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>The thigh bone indicated the creature had an erect, human-like posture, but the skullcap indicated its brain was much smaller than humans today and featured a distinct brow ridge.</p> <p>By 1940 many more <i>H. erectus</i> remains had been unearthed, both in Java and China.</p> <h2>Dmanisi discoveries and<i> Homo georgicus</i></h2> <p>From 1991, surprising new finds were being made at Dmanisi in Georgia. Under the remains of a medieval village, archaeologists found a variety of extinct fauna, including ostriches, primitive deer, rhinoceroses, large carnivores and a human lower jaw.</p> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-castle-ruins-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-castle-ruins-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-castle-ruins-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-castle-ruins-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-castle-ruins-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-castle-ruins-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Aerial view of Dmanisi"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Dmanisi castle, with Sioni Cathedral and archaeological site - where important <i>Homo erectus</i> finds have been made - in the background 漏 Larry V Dumlao, licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank">CC BY-SA 4.0</a> via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ruins_of_Dmanisi_Castle.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a><br /> </p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>Further excavations and research indicate the material is about 1.8-1.85 million years old. The site has now produced five small-brained human skulls, three more jawbones and many other parts of the skeleton, as well as simple stone tools. <br /> <br /> The skull shape looks like a primitive version of the <i>H.</i> <i>erectus</i> morphology, while the leg bones are relatively small, indicating an adult body size of only about 1.5 metres and a weight of about 45 kilograms.</p> <p>Some researchers believe that the distinctive features of the Dmanisi fossils (including the smaller body and brain sizes) point to this being a more primitive species than <i>H.</i> <i>erectus</i>, which could be called <i>Homo</i> <i>georgicus</i>. However, others feel that these features simply reflect its position as a very early member of the species <i>H.</i> <i>erectus</i>.</p> <h2>Important <i>Homo erectus</i> fossils</h2> <p>Although Java Man was the first <i>H. erectus</i> discovery, the find that has revealed most about this species is Turkana Boy.</p> <ul> <li><b>Turkana Boy (KNM_WT 15000 skeleton)</b><br /> The skeleton of a young <i>H. erectus </i>male discovered at Nariokotome in the West Turkana region of Kenya. Unearthed in 1984, the skeleton is聽around 1.5 million years old聽and represents the聽most complete ancient human specimen ever discovered.聽Investigations show that although the boy was only about nine years old, he was nearly fully grown. He was 1.6 metres tall when he died.<br /> <br /> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <ul> <li><b>Peking Man fossils</b><br /> A set of around 200 <i>Homo erectus</i> fossils from more than 40 individuals unearthed at the Zhoukoudian archaeological site near Beijing in the 1920s and 1930s. They were originally assigned to the now-obsolete group <i>Sinanthropus pekinensis</i>. The fossils, which included several relatively complete skulls, went missing during the Second World War. Fortunately, casts had been made. The site has been dated to 780,000 to 400,000 years ago.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/peking-man-skull-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/peking-man-skull-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/peking-man-skull-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/peking-man-skull-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/peking-man-skull-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/peking-man-skull-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Peking Man skull reconstruction"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Reconstruction of one of the Peking Man <i>Homo erectus</i> fossils excavated from China. Most of the original fossils were lost in World War Two.</p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <ul> <li><b>Dmanisi skulls</b><br /> Five <i>H. erectus</i> skulls were discovered at Dmanisi in Georgia from 1991 onwards. They look quite different from each other, but analysis by researchers shows that the amount of variation is comparable to that seen among modern people or chimpanzees. <br /> <br /> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="foundation5image parbase section"> <div> <figure class="mb-20 flow" role="group"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-fossils-d2700-and-d2735-two-column.jpg.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-fossils-d2700-and-d2735-two-column.jpg.thumb.480.480.jpg"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-fossils-d2700-and-d2735-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-fossils-d2700-and-d2735-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg"/> <img class="lazy" src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-fossils-d2700-and-d2735-two-column.jpg.placeholder.768.768.png" data-src="/content/dam/nhmwww/discover/human-evolution/homo-erectus/dmanisi-fossils-d2700-and-d2735-two-column.jpg.thumb.768.768.jpg" alt="Homo erectus fossils from Dmanisi"/> </picture> <figcaption> <div class="image--caption-container" data-caption-truncation> <div class="image--caption"> <p>Dmanisi fossils D2700 (skull 3) and D2735, around 1.8 million years old. The Dmanisi skulls look like an early form of <i>Homo erectus</i>. 漏 Gerbil, licensed under <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">CC BY 3.0</a>, via <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dmanisi_fossils_D2700_%2B_D2735.JPG" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a></p> </div> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="text parbase section"> <div data-gtm-component="text"> <p>This article includes information from聽Our Human Story聽by Dr Louise Humphrey and Prof Chris Stringer.</p> </div> </div> <div class="form aemform section"> <script> // Editor evaluates this script and if the clientlib is not loaded by then, it will fail. Hence triggering an // event after clientlib load and initializing on that event. 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seven-million-year journey of evolution and see fossil and artefact discoveries in the <a href="/visit/galleries-and-museum-map/human-evolution.html">Human Evolution gallery</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="tile section">  <div id="tile-cbf7f49085" class="tile__content" style="--tile-backgroundColor: #F8DC00" data-layout="stacked" data-imgpos="right" data-ratio="twothirds" data-backgroundColor="#F8DC00" data-gtm-component="tile"> <div class="tile__image"> <picture> <source media="(max-width: 480px)" srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/our-science/study/public-courses/naturally-curious/nc-mammals-pangolin-tile.placeholder.480.480.png" data-srcset="/content/dam/nhmwww/our-science/study/public-courses/naturally-curious/nc-mammals-pangolin-tile.thumb.480.480./content/dam/nhmwww/our-science/study/public-courses/naturally-curious/nc-mammals-pangolin-tile"/> <source media="(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 619px)" 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