---
lang: en
type: Profile
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title: Homo erectus
description: Homo erectus is an extinct species of archaic human from the Pleistocene, notable for its human-like body proportions, expanded brain size, wide geographic dispersal across Africa and Eurasia, and its association with the Acheulean stone tool industry.
llms_summary: "Homo erectus. (Ngawi Regency, East Java, Indonesia). Profile. Associated Tools Acheulean. Chronological Range 1.9 Mya. Cranial Capacity 850 cc. Estimated Stature 1.6 m. Evolutionary Group Genus Homo. Extinction Context Extinction of last known populations (Java) linked to climate-driven environmental change ~117 kya.  Type Specimen Trinil 2. Year Discovered 1891. Paleoanthropology. Homo erectus is an extinct species of archaic human from the Pleistocene, notable for its human-like body proportions, expanded brain size, wide geographic dispersal across Africa and Eurasia, and its association with the Acheulean stone tool industry.  canonical profile on Chrisyst Datasets"
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    slug: homo-erectus
    name: Homo erectus
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# Homo erectus

Homo erectus is an extinct species of archaic human from the Pleistocene, notable for its human-like body proportions, expanded brain size, wide geographic dispersal across Africa and Eurasia, and its association with the Acheulean stone tool industry.

## Record

- **Title**: [Homo erectus](https://datasets.chrisyst.com/homo-erectus/index.md)
- **Geo target**: Ngawi Regency, East Java, Indonesia
- **Website**: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/
- **Phone**: +44 20 7942 5000
- **Email**: info@nhm.ac.uk
- **Address**: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London, SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
- **Coordinates**: 51.4958, -0.1764

### Summary

Homo erectus is an extinct species of archaic human from the Pleistocene, notable for its human-like body proportions, expanded brain size, wide geographic dispersal across Africa and Eurasia, and its association with the Acheulean stone tool industry.

### Description

## Anatomy and Morphology
Homo erectus represents a significant grade shift in human evolution, characterized by modern, human-like body proportions with long legs and shorter arms, indicating a full commitment to terrestrial bipedalism. This anatomical change facilitated efficient long-distance travel and endurance running. Cranial capacity showed a notable increase over earlier hominins, averaging between 850 and 1100 cubic centimeters, although some specimens fall outside this range. The skull itself was distinctive, featuring a long, low cranial vault, a prominent supraorbital torus (brow ridge), a receding forehead, and the absence of a chin. Its robust skeleton supported a larger body size than australopithecines, reflecting a more physically demanding and varied lifestyle.

This species was the first hominin to achieve a wide geographical distribution, with fossil evidence spanning from Africa to East and Southeast Asia, and potentially Europe. This expansion was facilitated by significant behavioral and technological advancements, most notably the development of the Acheulean tool industry around 1.76 million years ago. These toolkits, characterized by bifacial hand axes and cleavers, suggest enhanced cognitive abilities, planning, and skill. Compelling evidence also points to H. erectus being the first hominin to control fire, a pivotal adaptation that provided warmth, protection from predators, and the ability to cook food, thereby increasing nutrient availability.

### Attributes

- **Associated Tools**: Acheulean
- **Chronological Range**: 1.9 Mya
- **Cranial Capacity**: 850 cc _(quality 975)_
- **Estimated Stature**: 1.6 m _(quality 2)_
- **Evolutionary Group**: Genus Homo
- **Extinction Context**: Extinction of last known populations (Java) linked to climate-driven environmental change ~117 kya.
- **Type Specimen**: Trinil 2
- **Year Discovered**: 1891 _(quality 1891)_