Homo Erectus Facts: Learn All About 'The First Human Ancestor'

Homo erectus is an extinct ancient human species that was also known as the upright man.

This primate species called Homo erectus were different from the humans of today. The archaic human species went extinct around 1.6 million years ago.

Homo erectus, which is the scientific name, is also called an upright man. This species was different from the humans of today.

They had a similar body to humans and used various old tools and technologies to gather food for their living. They were albeit taller than the average human individual. Homo erectus individuals weighed roughly 88–150 lb (40–68 kg) and had a height of about 4 ft 9 in-6 ft 1 in (144.7–185.4 cm).

Classification Of Homo Erectus

There were 21 species of humans on Earth, according to the Smithsonian, and Homo erectus is one among them.

There were five species of human lineage evolution, and Homo habilis was the second after Australopithecus afarensis, and before Homo erectus. Homo neanderthalensis came next and then came Homo sapiens. Many Homo erectus fossils and facts were discovered that could help us know more about this extinct species.

These were the earliest humans or the first human species to ever have lived on the Earth's surface. They were primitive beings who hunted to gather food for their living.

During their era, women and men were of almost the same height and walked upright. They had weights ranging from 88–150 lb (40–68 kg). Eventually, with human evolution, their way of walking also changed.

The lower cave of the Zhoukoudian cave in China is one of the most important caves worldwide because it has a brilliant fossil record, with about 45 discovered Homo erectus fossils. The species was known to have invented Acheulian stone tools, including teardrop-shaped hand axes.

They made their tools only from stones because no other advancement was imminent, and stone tools were their only protection against animals.

These fossils are the evidence of this species confirming their existence on Earth. They were the first ancient human species that lived on flat surfaces.

Early Human Migration

Many theories claimed that ancient humans moved from sea levels when seas were significantly lower due to glaciation. The first Homo sapiens migration was around 200,000-300,000 years ago.

The first Homo sapiens moved outside Africa about 70,000-100,000 years back. They moved to Western Asia due to the lowering of sea level during the Last Glacier Maximum around 26,000-19,000 years ago.

Early humans were called Homo erectus. Homo erectus humans migrated due to many factors such as changing climate, landscape, and inadequate food supply. Their life was not like primitive humans at all. Homo erectus lived their life very differently. They left East Africa also for climate reasons.

Ancient humans did not know about climate, but we Homo sapiens know about climate. Homo erectus was first found in East Africa. Homo erectus was also the first human to have walked upright on their feet.

Anatomy And Behavior

Fossil records show that Homo erectus evolved in Africa around 50,000-150,000 years ago. The major difference shown in the evolutionary process by the primitive human occurred only around 50,000-40,000 years ago. The original findings include two sizable bones from the skull of OH 7 showing that the Homo erectus was in fact larger than Australopithecus afarensis.

Homo habilis had a slightly larger braincase and smaller face and teeth. Homo erectus fossils also showed long arms and a moderately prognathic face. They have relatively long legs and shorter arms in comparison to Homo sapiens, and they too had an upright posture and used to hunt to survive.

The scientific name of the Homo genus is Homo, and the species' family name is Homininae. The species was similar to the Homo species of Homo erectus as their nose, jaws, and palate were wide-set. Their braincase was low, and the forehead was receded.

They invented fire, and they used it in the cooler regions. They tended to walk continuously and never had a permanent home.

They walked from area to area and region to region in search of food. When food availability becomes less in a particular area, they migrate from that area and then move to a new area. They repeat this behavior for the rest of life.

Culture of Homo erectus: Based on footprints in their fossils, it was found that they work in groups. These groups are distinguished based on gender. It means if they perform any task like hunting or foraging party, both gender (male or female) performed in separate groups. It depicts division in labor under the culture of Homo erectus.

Homo erectus used to live in those areas where the risk of carnivore animals is very low. They construct their houses where the risk of wild animals is negligible, protecting their lives. Homo erectus children are very intelligent and smart. Their brain growth is very fast, which is very higher than the children of the modern era. 

Technology in the times of Homo erectus: Homo erectus used basic technology tools for hunting and poaching animals. The hand axes of about 3.9 in (10 cm) are found as evidence, which shows that they use tools like picks, knives, and cleavers.

These hand exes are not normal; Homo erectus makes them sharp and heavy to facilitate hunting. They also use these tools for cutting meat, wood, or edible plants.

Homo erectus is the first person to use fire on this Earth. They are the only ancestors of human beings who start inventing new things. Homo erectus used to live in caves and hand-made houses.

They were the first who introduced clothing, and later on, they also discovered wheels. There are also many types of height variations among the Homo erectus, some are very tall and some were very short than the primitive human individuals. That's why they require more energy and food to survive than normal human beings.

Important Homo Erectus Fossils

Homo erectus fossils are evidence that this early human being came from western Asia. The complete skull of Homo erectus fossils was from Dmanisi, Georgia. Just like our own species, they lived on flat surfaces on Earth but somewhere about 1.6 million-1.8 million years ago.

Fossil records are evident in pointing toward the existence of H. erectus and these also prove that upright human ancestors were quite different from our own species. Here are the important H. erectus specimens that were discovered through the course of time:

Sangiran 17 is the 1.2 million years old skull discovered in 1969, in Sangiran, Indonesia.

Zhukoudian 3 is a skullcap that was discovered in 1929, in Zhukoudian, China. It was found in fragments and when it was put together, evidence showed that he had a brain size of about 55.84 cubic in (915 cubic cm). 

Sangiran 2 is a 1 million-year-old skull cap that was discovered in 1937, in Sangiran, Indonesia.

Homo ergaster is an extinct species that lived in Africa during the Early Pleistocene. Homo ergaster can be distinguished from Homo erectus.

Hominin fossils made it possible to know about Pithecanthropus erectus. Pithecanthropus erectus was an early human erectus fossil found in 1891. They were very famous early humans who survived on Earth for the first time. They invented a very necessary tool that we use today, which we call fire.

Homo erectus fossils are present in different locations, this shows they live in different parts of the world like South Africa, Kenya, Spain, China, and Indonesia. They lived in different geographical ranges of the world, but due to their fossils being very old and not in good condition we are not able to know more about them.

The older the fossils are the less historical information we are able to gather about them.

FAQs

How did Homo erectus live?

Homo erectus lived an ancient lifestyle where they had to hunt animals using stone tools to make their living. Homo erectus constantly moved from place to place owing to landslides, climate change, the migration patterns of animals, and other natural factors.

Where did Homo erectus live?

Homo erectus used to live in cave dwellings.

Why did Homo erectus leave Africa?

The Homo erectus left Africa because the climate got too hot for their sustenance, and they also had to go a long way to find their food resources.

What tools did Homo erectus use?

As compared to modern humans, Homo erectus used only tools made out of stones at the time due to their environment.

What did Homo erectus eat?

Fossil evidence points to the fact that Homo erectus ate food that was tougher on their appetites such as plants, grass, and fruits.

Did Homo erectus use fire?

Fossil evidence, as well as studies and theories, show us that the Home erectus indeed used fire.

What are the differences between Homo habilis and Homo erectus?

The Homo erectus was a tall species while the Homo habilis was a shorter species than the Homo erectus. Both types of early human evolution were very different from one another, with the Homo habilis coming second and the Homo erectus coming third in the human lineage.

What is the likely explanation for the rapid increase in body and brain size among Homo erectus?

The rapid growth of the body and the brain size of the Homo erectus was mainly because of the Earth's climate at that time. Early human evolution had just happened, so these individuals found adjusting to a different environment very difficult.

Why don't we have a genome sequenced from Homo erectus?

Modern humans don't have a genome sequenced from the Homo erectus as there is not enough research data to back it up currently. The lack of usable DNA and the fossils recovered not being in very good condition also contribute to making sequencing harder.

When did Homo erectus go extinct?

Homo erectus is assumed to have gone extinct around 108,000-117,0000 years ago.

What is the range for estimated cranial capacities for Homo erectus?

There are various ranges available for estimated cranial capacities for Homo erectus but now the range in record is from about 52-65 cubic in (852-1,065.1 cubic cm).

What does Homo erectus mean?

Homo erectus is the scientific name of the upright man, which is deemed extinct now.