Final answer:
Homo erectus is known for using fire, creating advanced stone tools, and possibly exhibiting social care, but there is no evidence that they developed a system of writing or symbolic communication, nor clear evidence of engaging in long-distance trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homo Erectus and the Emergence of Early Human Behavior
Regarding the question of what Homo erectus did except, it is important to note that these hominins made significant strides in early human behavior. They controlled and used fire as evidenced by ancient hearths, charcoal, and charred bones found at sites like Zhoukoudian, China, which indicate that Homo erectus was hunting, cooking, and consuming meat around 1.7-2.0 million years ago (MYA). Additionally, they developed more complex stone tools and likely engaged in cooperative activities such as hunting and potentially some form of social care, given the discovery of individuals with debilitating diseases who survived for extended periods.
However, even though there is evidence suggesting Homo erectus had the capacity for vocal communication, there is no conclusive evidence that they developed a system of writing or symbolic communication akin to that of later Homo sapiens. There is no archaeological evidence of written scripts or complex symbols that could be attributed to Homo erectus. Therefore, we can be fairly certain that Homo erectus engaged in all the listed activities except for developing a system of writing or symbolic communication.
As for the prospect of long-distance trade, there is limited direct evidence for such behavior in Homo erectus. The presence of materials like stone tools and food sources within their living areas does not necessarily imply a trading network. Rather, these could have been acquired through local gathering or wide-ranging patterns of movement.