Homo erectus

Ho·mo e·rec·tus  (hm -rkts)

n.

An extinct species of humans, regarded as an ancestor of Homo sapiens.

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[New Latin Hom rctus, species name : Latin hom, man + Latin rctus, upright.]

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Homo erectus  (hm -rkts)

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. 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. See also pithecanthropussinanthropus

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Homo erectus - extinct species of primitive hominid with upright stature but small brain; "Homo erectus was formerly called Pithecanthropus erectus" genus Homo - type genus of the family Hominidae human, human being, homo, man - any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage Java man, Trinil man - fossil remains found in Java; formerly called Pithecanthropus erectus Peking man - fossils found near Beijing, China; they were lost during World War II