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Wesleyan University Archaeology & Anthropology Collections Hominin Fossil Casts |
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Species Designation: Homo ergaster (erectus) ID/ Nickname: OH-9 Date: 1.2 million years ago Catalog #: 2004-11-10 Description: calvarium |
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Wesleyan University Archaeology & Anthropology Collections Hominin Fossil Casts |
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Species Designation: Homo ergaster (erectus) ID/ Nickname: OH-9 Date: 1.2 million years ago Catalog #: 2004-11-10 Description: calvarium |
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Context of Discovery:
Discovered at Olduvai, Tanzania by Louis Leakey in 1960.
Facts about "OH-9":
The species, Homo ergaster was not actually named until 1994, when researchers confirmed that it did not really display the features of the Asian Homo erectus. Some examples of H. ergaster that have been found include OH-9 and Nariokotome Boy. H. ergaster had a higher skull dome, thinner cranial bones, slim brow ridges, a light skull, and generally, a lighter build than H. erectus. It had a swift gait, with long, well-muscled limbs, and narrow hips. The body shape and proportions were similar to those of modern humans living in tropical climates. H. ergaster's enlarged brain probably gave them greater intelligence and helped them adapt to new habitats as they eventually traveled out of Africa. Their molars and premolars are also smaller, which indicates that their diet probably included a proportional amount of meat.
Important Publications:
Leakey, L.S.B. 1961. "New Finds at Olduvai Gorge." Nature 189: 649-650.