Homo Erectus in Asia: Anatomical Structure, Discovery, and Replacement

Running head: HOMO ERECTUS IN ASIA
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HOMO ERECTUS IN ASIA
Introduction:
Homo erectus is a species of archaic human who lived throughout most of the Pleistocene
geological epoch. In recent era , the concept and viewpoint of H. Erectus is vastly different
today than when Pithecanthropus erectus was described in 1894 (Becominghuman.org., 2019) .
From the point of view of anthropology, remaining of the Homo erectus is found through our
Africa and in western as well as eastern Asia (as far east as the island of Java in Indonesia). A
considerate number of researches conducted by archeologist and anthropologist suggested that
few of the fossils are also have been found in Europe, as far north as England (Xing et al., 2016).
Homo erectus is identified as one of the crucial parts of studying human evolution because it is
the first human fossils to be found in Asia and displayed many anatomical features which reflect
the evolution towards homo sapience over the decades. Its earliest fossil evidence dates to 1.8
million years ago (Baab, 2016). However many types of research debated that specific fossil
being more archaic, being related to H. Naledi that was one of the first homo species (Grimaud-
Herv et al., 2016). This paper will illustrate the anatomical structure of the Homo erectus, when
they discovered and when and how they replaced in the following paragraphs.
Discussion:
Homo erectus in Asia:
As with any fossils lineage, the identifications of earliest appurtenance of the species are
difficult. There was debate amongst archeologist and Paleoanthropologists that whether the
fossils found in Asia and those from Africa should be classified together as a Homo erectus.
However, vast analysis of fossils suggested that due to structural differences, African hominines
were classified as Homo ergaster and Asian hominine were classified as Homo erectus (Bruner et

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al., 2015). Homo erectus is considered as a bigger, smarter, faster hominine lineage. Homo
erectus was attested with certainty in Southeast Asia and East Asia from approximately 0.7Ma,
with a probability of early presence before 1 Ma. Majority of the fossils Homo erectus was found
in China and Indonesia where the ancient caves were their cave (Kaifu et al., 2015). 40
kilometers south of Beijing in China, in Zhoukoudian, the largest number of Homo erectus was
found. China underwent significant climate changes during this period and cooling as well as
drying that were occurred in the glacial period resulted in an open habitat for Homo erectus
(Baab & Zaim, 2017). During that period because of grasslands, mixed steppes, and soothing
environment, many large grazing animals were lived in those areas that were hunted by Homo
erectus. In Sangria, the island, the most important Homo erectus site in Indonesia where remains
of 80 individuals were found (Baab, 2015). The region was occupied by the Homo erectus
approximately 1.6 million ago. Java found in Indonesia used to live in the warmer climate
(Baab et al., 2016). The distribution of the meats in the vast region of China suggested they had a
large supply of the meat from his who were lived near the cave and plant foods, quite similar to
the food habits of the early modern human (Kaifu, 2017). They used to possess different skills
such as voyaging skills and watercraft. A recovery of lithic artifacts from excavated sites
suggested that the technical achievements of the maritime technology (O’Connell et al., 2016).

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Figure: Homo erectus
Source: (O’Connell et al., 2016).
Anatomical structure of Homo erectus:
As discussed by Anton et al. (2016) many of the features of the Homo erectus that
distinguishes it from other hominine species, both earlier and later species, especially the
evolution of their skull structures. One of the most common traits is associated with is increased
body size. The adolescent male (the nariokotome) was over five feet tall during the time of the
death.
Increased brain structure of the Homo erectus:
Although Homo erectus in Asia did not have human growth pattern, they were tall
individuals compared to other hominines of that era. A study by Bruner et al. (2016) suggested
that this species had a robust skeleton which was generally similar to those of the modern
human. The average size of the brain of Homo erectus is estimated have been roughly 900 cubic
centimeters which further highlighted the fact that it is larger than Homo habilis but it is