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Chapter 11: Modern human evolution

Trend across the hominins:

2 mya = multiple hominin genera

200 kya = multiple species of Genus Homo

40 kya = multiple subspecies

0 ya = just Homo sapiens

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Denisovans

Siberia (???-30 kya)-Genetic evidence of an extinct hominin

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Homo sapiensCranial-High vertical forehead -Protruding chinCC=1350 cm^3

Postcranial-Longer limbs-Gracile (slender)

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Homo sapiens

Anatomically modern Homo sapiens-By 100 kya have the same physical and cognitive abilities modern humans possess

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Competing models of AMH dispersalRegional Continuity Model-Multiregional evolution-AMH traits appear throughout the Old World-Gene flow stops speciation of local populations

Replacement Models-Emerged in Africa first (200 kya)-AMH migrants replaced premodern populations outside of Africa-Two versions: complete replacement and partial replacement

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Genetic evidence-Indigenous African populations have more genetic diversity

compared to populations outside of Africa

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Genetic evidence

Admixture between contemporary non-African populations

Populations outside Africa: share 1-4% genes with Neandertal

-Interbreeding between AMH and other premodern populations occurred 80-60 kya

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Fossil evidence

Africa = 200-160 kya

Omo Kibish, Ethiopia-Earliest fossils of Homo sapiens

Eurasia = 100 kya

-Oldest non-African sites

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Fossil evidence

Asia = 45 kya

Niah Cave, Indonesia

Europe = 35 kya

Cro-Magnon, France

Oceania = 30 kya

Lake Mungo, Australia

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Evidence summary

Genetic evidence: modest interbreeding only in non-African populations = occurred after AMH migrated out of Africa

Fossil evidence: AMH first emerged in Africa 200 kya and left Africa 100 kya

-Both types of evidence complement each other

Best model: Partial Replacement Model of modern human origins

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Upper Paleolithic culture and technologyUpper Paleolithic (75-17 kya) innovations-Big game hunting-Projectile weapons-Elaborate burials-Body ornamentation, clothing

The Pleistocene Epoch13

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Upper Paleolithic culture and technology

Magdalenian tool industry (17 kya)

Atlatl: (spear-thrower) and other projectiles

Burins: Chisel-tool used to modify wood, bone, softer material

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Upper Paleolithic symbolic behaviorPortable art engravings, beads, etc

Female figurines with realistic and/or exaggerated sexual traits

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Upper Paleolithic symbolic behavior sites

EuropeLascaux, France (35 kya)Cave art: new technology for aesthetic purposes

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Upper Paleolithic symbolic behavior sitesAfricaBlombos cave, South Africa (73 kya)-Beads, ocher, intentional burials

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Comparing Neandertal and H. sapiens

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Comparing Neandertal and H. sapiens

Neandertal-Fewer tools with fewer parts (no projectiles)-Small, personal art-Less complex, infrequent burials

AMH-Variety of tools (projectiles)-Art (representative cave paintings)-Frequent burials with artifacts