Homo Erectus

Homo erectus, otherwise known as the "upright man", dates back to 1.8 million years ago and is last thought to have existed 1 million years ago. Fossils of Homo erectus have been found in Africa, Europe, Indonesia and China.

Homo erectus is defined as one of the most important stages of evolution because; it is believed to have been the first hominid to leave Africa during the Early Pleistocene period. It is debated, however, that human evolution began in Africa.

Some earlier scientists believe that the first hominids actually originated in Asia. This theory was, however, discredited when fossils were found in the 1950's and 1970's in East Africa that dated earlier than the findings in Asia. After extensive studies it is now believed that Homo erectus is a direct descendant from Homo habilis.

The appearance of Homo erectus was more evolved than Homo habilis and in fact resembled something close to Homo sapiens (modern day humans). Homo erectus has a forehead that is less sloping. Their teeth are smaller, though still larger than modern day humans. Their average height was about 5 feet 10 inches (though this varied). Male Home erectus, however, was around 25% larger than the female.

The cranial capacity of Homo erectus, though more advanced than Homo habilis, was still about 25% less than that of Homo sapiens. Having a larger cranial capacity than earlier hominids, allowed for much more advancement in the use of tools and in the diet of Homo erectus.

Previous hominids may have used stone tools to help with their everyday lives, but Homo erectus is the first believed to alter the stone's shape. Evidence has been found that suggests Homo erectus would chip away at stones to form a sharp point and edges.

Homo erectus was the first hominid to be seen as "hunters and gatherers" rather than prey for other animals. Also, because Homo erectus was able to cut meat from the bones of animals, shaping the tools in this way made their hunter and gatherer lifestyle easier.

There has even been evidence found that mammoths (a prehistoric elephant-like creature) were a part of Homo erectus' diet. Studies have also shown that Homo erectus was the first to build fires and cook their food before eating it.

Not only did the use of tools effect Homo erectus' diet, but they were also able to, for the first time, defend themselves against predators. This is why Homo erectus is believed to be the first hominid to not be classified as "prey."

A man named Bruce Bower even believed that Homo erectus used their stone tools to build rafts and were able to cross large bodies of water (like the ocean). This theory, however, is highly controversial in the eyes of other scientists.

Because of their advanced lifestyles and the use of fire and tools, Homo erectus is seen as one of the most important species in hominid evolution. Though there were many other species before the birth of Homo erectus and after they became extinct, they were still the first species with a large enough cranial capacity to be classified as a "true hominid ancestor."