Background
Date range: Archaic - 300,000 – 150,000 years ago; modern - 200,000 years ago – present
Homeland: Originated in Africa and now lives worldwide
Diet: Omnivorous; plants, meat, fruit, shellfish, anything
Cranial Capacity: 1300 cc
Habitat: Varies dramatically now – from the northern regions of Russia to the deserts of of Africa to the rainforests of South America; orginiated in Africa
Distinguishing Features: Lighter skeletal build than earlier Homo species; taller forehead and limited brow ridge; broad skull and high braincase; protruding chin; parabolic shape dentition in jaw; reduced musculature; straight finger and toe bones (as opposed to curved phalanges of earlier ancestors); transverse and longitudinal arches in the feet for bipedalism
