Homo georgicus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Homo georgicusTemporal range: Pleistocene
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H. georgicus
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| †Homo georgicus Vekua et al., 2002
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Homo georgicus is a species of Homo that was proposed in 2002. It is based on fossil skulls and jaws found in Dmanisi, Georgia in 1999 and 2001, which seem intermediate between Homo habilis and H. erectus.
A partial skeleton was discovered in 2001. The fossils are about 1.8 million years old. The remains were first discovered in 1991 by Georgian scientist, David Lordkipanidze, accompanied by an international team which unearthed the remains. Implements and animal bones were found alongside the ancient human remains.
At first, scientists thought they had found mandibles and skulls belonging to Homo ergaster, but size differences led them to name a new species.
Classification
H. georgicus is often classified as Homo erectus georgicus. The classical textbook definition of H. erectus included a brain size range of between 900–1150 ccs. If the georgicus specimens and the Flores specimens (Homo floresiensis) are included in H. erectus, then the range of brain capacities is two-fold, from 600 ccs to 1150 ccs. Homo ergaster is also considered by some to be a subspecies of H. erectus. Size has something to do with it: both the georgicus and floriensis were much smaller than the classic erectus, which was as tall as modern man. The classification of all these species or subspecies is provisional at present, and still being debated.
Images for kids
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Location of discovery at Dmanisi, Georgia
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Excavation site at Dmanisi in 2007
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Georgian archaeologist and anthropologist David Lordkipanidze (left) showing a hominin jaw discovered at Dmanisi to American ambassador John R. Bass in 2010
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Dmanisi Skull 5 (D4500) at the time of discovery in 2005
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Replicas of the D211 (right, discovered in 1991) and D2735 (left, discovered in 2001) mandibles
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Replica of Dmanisi Skull 3 (D2700) and its associated mandible (D2735)
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The D2600 mandible (later associated with Skull 5), designated as the type specimen of Homo georgicus in 2002
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Dmanisi Skull 3 compared to skulls of H. naledi, H. habilis and H. floresiensis.
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Another view of Dmanisi Skull 3 (D2700 & D2735)
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Comparison of the mandibles of various species of Homo; D2600 (belonging to Skull 5) and D211 (belonging to Skull 2) are featured
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The Dmanisi hominins may have partly fed on hackberries (pictured), since hackberry seeds have been found in conjunction with the hominin fossils.
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See also
In Spanish: Homo georgicus para niños
