PITHECANTHROPUS ERECTUS Meaning and
Definition
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Pithecanthropus erectus, also known as Homo erectus, is an extinct species of early human that lived approximately 1.9 million to 143,000 years ago. The term "pithecanthropus" is derived from Greek words "pithekos" meaning ape and "anthropos" meaning human, emphasizing the species' transitional characteristics between apes and modern humans. "Erectus" refers to the species' upright posture, distinguishing it from earlier hominids.
Pithecanthropus erectus is believed to be the first human ancestor to have migrated out of Africa and dispersed throughout Eurasia. They displayed numerous advancements compared to their predecessors, including a larger brain, reduced jaw size and thickness, and a more developed body structure for endurance walking and running. Their average height ranged from around 5.5 to 6 feet (1.6 to 1.8 meters) tall.
This early human species left a significant paleoanthropological record, with numerous fossil remains found, particularly in Indonesia, China, and Africa. These discoveries have shed light on their anatomical features, brain size, and cultural aspects, suggesting the use of simple tools and possible fire control.
The existence and impact of pithecanthropus erectus on human evolution is a subject of ongoing research and debate. Nevertheless, they are considered a crucial evolutionary link between earlier hominids and modern humans.
Common Misspellings for PITHECANTHROPUS ERECTUS
- oithecanthropus erectus
- lithecanthropus erectus
- -ithecanthropus erectus
- 0ithecanthropus erectus
- puthecanthropus erectus
- pjthecanthropus erectus
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- pifhecanthropus erectus
- pighecanthropus erectus
- piyhecanthropus erectus
- pi6hecanthropus erectus
- pi5hecanthropus erectus
- pitgecanthropus erectus
- pitbecanthropus erectus
- pitnecanthropus erectus
Etymology of PITHECANTHROPUS ERECTUS
The word "Pithecanthropus erectus" is derived from Greek and Latin.
"Pithecanthropus" is a compound word, where "pithekos" (πίθηκος) means "ape" in Greek, and "anthropos" (ἄνθρωπος) means "man" or "human being" in Greek. The term was coined by the Dutch anatomist Eugène Dubois in 1893 to describe a fossil he discovered that he believed represented an intermediate stage between apes and humans.
"Erectus" comes from Latin and means "upright" or "erect". This term was added to "Pithecanthropus" to denote the belief that this early hominin species had the ability to walk upright on two legs, which is a defining characteristic of humans.
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