Homo erectus, an intermediate form of the genus Homo, lived from 1.8 million to 70,000 years ago and is considered an ancestor of modern humans. It displayed more human-like characteristics than its predecessor Homo habilis, had a larger brain, and used Acheulean tools. It attempted to control fire towards the end of its existence and was succeeded by H. heidelbergensis and H. neanderthalensis. Java man and Peking man were members of the species.
Homo erectus, meaning “upright man,” lived from 1.8 million years ago, if you include the possibly related species H. ergaster, or 1.25 million years ago, if you exclude it. The species disappeared around 70,000 years ago and is a member of the family Homonidae and the genus Homo, which includes modern humans. It was an intermediate form of the genus, however, that fell between early tool users, early Homo habilis and present-day Homo sapiens. Homo erectus is widely considered to be an ancestor of modern man.
Researchers believe that Homo erectus displayed more human-like characteristics than its predecessor Homo habilis, standing more upright and taller, at about 5.9 feet (1.8 m) instead of 4.2 feet (1.3 m). The species also had a larger brain, although it was still 75% the size of Homo sapiens. It had smaller teeth, less inclination to the forehead, and developed more complex tools.
Homo erectus mainly used tools created in the Acheulean style, a type of stone tool industry. The Acheulean era of stoneworking lasted from about 1.2 million years ago to about 500,000 years ago, although some early cultures used such tools as late as 100,000 years ago. This type of tool is best represented by axes, chipped on both sides to serve as the most effective means of amplifying the effect individuals might have on its environment. The use of these tools allowed homonids to defend themselves against the largest predators for the first time.
While it may have attempted to control fire, such behavior would not have been typical for those of this species, appearing only towards the end of its sojourn on Earth. Traditionally, the exploitation of fire is placed around 100,000 years ago, only 25,000 years before the extinction of this species. Homo erectus was succeeded by H. heidelbergensis and H. neanderthalensis, both of which showed an increasing ability to make and use tools and generally to take control of their environment.
The famous fossils Java man and Peking man were members of the species.
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