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Homo heterogenus: Variability in early Pleistocene Homo environments
Tegan I F Foister1, Indrė Žliobaitė1,2,3, Oscar E Wilson1
1Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Evolutionary Anthropology
|October 25, 2023
Summary
Early Homo populations adapted to diverse environments, not just grasslands. Their first dispersal out of Africa coincided with an expansion into new ecological niches, highlighting key plasticity.
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Environmental Archaeology
Background:
- Understanding Homo sapiens' ecological dominance requires investigating the origins of human plasticity.
- Hominin adaptation to varied habitats over time is crucial for understanding this plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current research on early Pleistocene Homo habitats.
- To assess the diversity of environments inhabited by early Homo populations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 121 published environmental reconstructions.
- Examination of data from 74 early Pleistocene sites or site phases.
Main Results:
- Early Homo inhabited a wide range of environments, including open grasslands, savannahs, and forests.
- Current research indicates Homo was not restricted to a single environmental type during the early Pleistocene.
Conclusions:
- Early Homo populations exhibited significant habitat plasticity.
- The initial Homo dispersal out of Africa was associated with niche expansion, demonstrating adaptability.
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