Assessment Questions 4.10

1. What enables humans to live in diverse habitats, and how is this different from other animal species?

Humans can live in diverse habitats due to their intelligence and cultural adaptability. Unlike many other animal species, humans do not rely on special physical adaptations to thrive in specific environments. For example, humans in cold areas don't develop thick fur or blubber, and those in hot deserts don't evolve special cooling glands. Instead, humans invent and adapt culturally, creating technologies like warm clothing, shelters, and fire control to live in various habitats, making their geographic range almost limitless.

2. How does the passage highlight the contrast between early hominins and humans in terms of habitat adaptation?

Early hominins, discussed in Chapter 3, evolved in the African tropics and had physical adaptations to that habitat. However, around 2 million years ago, hominins, particularly Homo erectus, expanded beyond Africa and inhabited diverse environments, including non-tropical zones like England and northeast China. The passage emphasizes that the skeletons of hominins in different habitats did not exhibit specific biological adjustments. Instead, their ability to survive in varied conditions was attributed to their intelligence, cultural adaptations, and the control of fire.

3. What fundamental feature of the human condition does the passage mention, and how was it established by Homo erectus?

The passage mentions that the ability to survive based on intelligence rather than physical characteristics is a fundamental feature of the human condition. This feature was established by Homo erectus, who, by controlling fire and engaging in cultural adaptation, made an enormous leap in survival capabilities. The cultural adaptation of Homo erectus, as highlighted in the passage, defined not only them but also defines the human condition.