Tool Making and Human Evolution

The images I have sketched are of two different skulls that relate to Stanley H. Ambrose’s article, “Paleolithic Technology and Human Evolution “. The one on the left is of the Homo Habilis and the drawing on the right is of a Homo Erectus (closely related to the Homo Erectus discussed in the article). The “Pathological Technology and Human Evolution” article states that “human biological and cultural evolution are closely linked to technological innovations.” This article states that the invention of more complex tools lead to “increased brain size, population size and geographical range.” The Homo Habilis is considered to have made the first tools and, according to the article, the making of these tools had a direct result on the Broca’s area. The Broca’s area is the area in the brain responsible for comprehending language and assisting in precise hand control. The tools the Homo Habilis species constructed were stone flakes and these tools can be shown as evidence for precise hand skills. On the other hand, the Homo Erectus crafted larger cutting tools that vary in sizes, which may reflect “higher conceptual and cognitive abilities.” The Homo Habilis are also known for their larger brains; this can be seen by looking at the size of the Stienham man’s cranium in my sketch compared to the size of the Homo Habilis’ cranium.

Done