Homo erectus

[ hoh-moh i-rek-tuhs ]

noun

1. the proposed extinct species of the human lineage that lived throughout most of the Pleistocene Epoch formerly known as Pithecanthropus erectus, having upright stature and a well-evolved postcranial skeleton, but with a smallish brain, low forehead, and protruding face: the first fossil specimen was discovered in Indonesia in 1891.
2. a fossil belonging to this species.

Homo erectus

/ ɪˈrɛktəs /

noun

1. an extinct species of primitive man, able to walk upright See also Java man Peking man

Homo erectus

/ hō′mōĭ-rĕk′təs /

1. An extinct species of humans that lived during the Pleistocene Epoch from about 1.6 million years ago to 250,000 years ago. Homo erectus is associated mainly with stone tools of the Acheulian culture and was the first species of humans to master fire, although this skill may not have been widely practiced until late in its existence. Its remains have been found in Africa, Europe, and Asia, and it is widely thought to be the direct ancestor of modern humans.
2. ◆ The H. erectus remains from Africa are thought by some to evince significant differences in comparison to other H. erectus populations and thus to constitute a separate species called Homo ergaster. H. ergaster is sometimes further claimed to be the true ancestor of modern humans. The fossil evidence is not complete enough to definitively support these or many other claims concerning early Homo populations.
3. See also pithecanthropus

Homo erectus

1. An early ancestor of the human species that lived from about 1.8 million to 250,000 years ago. Homo erectus remains have been found in Africa , China , Europe , and Southeast Asia . Archaeological excavations have revealed that Homo erectus developed a cooperative hunting organization and the use of fire and may have had a spoken language.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Homo erectus¹

First recorded in 1970–75; from New Latin: literally “upright man”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Homo erectus¹

New Latin, from Latin homo man + erectus upright

Example Sentences

A million years ago, the oldest known species to walk upright like a human, the Homo Erectus, had a human-like fascination with crystals.

From Science Daily

While Homo habilis and Homo rudolfensis probably only ate a lizard here and there or the meaty remains left behind by other predators, Homo erectus was a hunter.

From Scientific American

While the brain volume of Homo rudolfensis was still about 750 cubic centimeters, Homo erectus already had up to 1,250 cubic centimeters.

From Scientific American

Archaeological evidence of meat consumption does increase sharply when looking at specimens linked to the emergence of the Homo erectus species, the researchers reported in the journal PNAS.

From Scientific American

However, they found, this trend reflects the scientific focus on that period of evolutionary development; that is, there is simply more material collected from sites linked to early Homo erectus.

From Scientific American