Question

What does "Archaic homo" (1.2 million years before present) signify in terms of human evolution, and what environmental factors influenced changes in the availability of food and the development of bipedalism?

Answer 1

Archaic Homo refers to diverse Homo species after H. erectus, representing the transition between H. erectus and H. sapiens. The presence of a thick skull, brow ridges, and lack of a prominent chin distinguish archaic Homo from anatomically modern humans. The development of bipedalism involved changes in leg length, spinal curvature, and the development of foot arches for energy conservation and balance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term "archaic Homo" encompasses all the diverse Homo species after H. erectus and is viewed as transitional between H. erectus and H. sapiens. Archaic Homo species have a brain size similar to modern humans but display characteristics like a thick skull, brow ridges, and lack of a prominent chin. The development of bipedalism in early hominins is associated with anatomical changes such as longer legs, changes in spinal curvature, and the development of foot arches to conserve energy and increase balance when walking.