ANTH 110 Lecture 7: Anthro lecture Ch 7.4
Document Summary
Homo erectus characterized by a skull that was long, low, and thickly walled (platycephalic) that narrowed behind the eyes (postorbital constriction) Also characterized by large, pronounced brow ridges (supraorbital torus) and a ridge (sagittal keel) running along the crest of the skull. Another feature is the occipital torus, a ridge of bone running horizontally along the back of the skull. Compared with earlier hominids, homo erectus had relatively small teeth. Its third molars were smaller than its first and second molars (like moderns) and characterized by shovel-shaped incisors. Molars had an enlarged pulp cavity; called taurodontism, which may also have allowed the teeth to withstand harder use and wear. Jaw also lighter and thinner and face less prognathic (forward thrusting) than earlier forms. Brain was also larger averaging 895-1,040cc but smaller than moderns but more than double that of australopithecines. Homo erectus also had a prominent, projecting nose (not flat like australopiths)
