Flashcards · Biology · Evolution and Natural Selection
Stone Tools and Human Evolution
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Why do stone tools last so long?
Stone does not rot, so it survives for millions of years.
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What are the oldest well-known stone tools called?
Oldowan tools.
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What species made the Oldowan tools?
Early Homo, such as Homo habilis.
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What shape were hand axes?
Symmetrical and teardrop shaped, worked on both sides.
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Which species made hand axes?
Homo erectus.
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Which later tools were made by modern humans?
Thin blades, and tools of bone and antler.
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What do more complex tools suggest about their makers?
They had more skill, planning and a larger brain.
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How are stone tools dated?
From the rock layers around them, or by dating the volcanic ash or other material found with them.
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Are deeper layers of rock older or younger?
Older.
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A tool lies between two ash layers dated at 1 and 1.8 million years. What is its age?
Between 1 and 1.8 million years old.
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What can be dated by carbon-14?
Organic remains up to about 50 000 years old.
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Give a limitation of stone tools as evidence.
Wooden tools rot away, or the maker is not known.
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Why might a tool be in the wrong layer?
Erosion or animals may have disturbed the layers.
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What did the Lomekwi tools show?
That tool making began about 3.3 million years ago, earlier than expected.
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Why do scientists use more than one dating method?
To cross-check, which makes the result more reliable.
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Common mistake about dating a tool?
Saying that the stone itself is dated. The surrounding layers or material are dated.