Flashcards for the Evolution of Modern Humans
Topic 4:  Early Modern Homo Sapiens
(11 cards)

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The biological genus, species, and variety to which every human today belongs.

Homo sapiens sapiens

The general name given to the late ice age modern Homo sapiens who appeared in Europe by 40,000 years ago. Their skeletons generally were lighter than the Neandertals who occupied Europe at that time. They had broad, small faces with pointed chins and high foreheads. They are the ancestors of modern Europeans.

Cro-Magnon

The part of the world where the oldest modern Homo sapiens have been found.

Africa

The model of modern Homo sapiens origin that says that they evolved more or less simultaneously in all major regions of the Old World from local archaic human populations.

regional continuity (or multiregional) model

The model of modern Homo sapiens origin that says that they evolved from archaic humans 200,000-100,000 years ago only in Africa and then some of them migrated into the rest of the Old World replacing all of the Neandertals and other late archaic humans.

replacement (or out of Africa) model

The model of modern Homo sapiens origin that implies that all regional anatomical differences that we see among humans today are recent developments--evolving only in the last 50,000-40,000 years.

replacement (or out of Africa) model

The general types of evidence that best support the replacement model of modern Homo sapiens origin.

fossils and DNA (especially mitochondrial DNA)

The general type of evidence that best supports the regional continuity model of modern Homo sapiens origin.

fossils

The model of modern Homo sapiens origin that is supported by the fact that East Asians today commonly have shovel-shaped incisors while Africans and Europeans rarely do. (Hint: Homo erectus also commonly had this trait.)

regional continuity (or multiregional) model

The model of modern Homo sapiens origin that rejects both the complete replacement and regional continuity models. (Hint: this new model incorporates ideas from both of the old ones.)

assimilation (or partial replacement) model

The intercontinental land connection that appeared between Siberia and Alaska as a result of sea levels dropping more than 300 feet during the last ice age.

Bering Plain or Beringia