Homo Erectus Georgicus
(2 Million yrs BC to 1,6 Million yrs BC)
What happened?
The Homo georgicus is an extinct human species based on the skulls and jaws found in Dmanisi in Georgia. Based on the radiometric dating of volcanic layers, paleomagnetism and analysis of animal fossils found at the site, it has been determined that the fossils may be dated to approximately 1,8 million years BC. Not only human fossils were found. Tools and animal bones were also found on the site.
In the beginning, the find was classified as Homo ergaster. Due to differences in size, the remains were described as a new species. In terms of brain content and facial shape, we situate them between the older Homo habilis and the younger species Homo erectus (a.k.a. Java Man). However, Homo georgicus was bipedal. This means that he walked around on his legs, and therefore lived most of the time standing up. According to research, there was no reason to make it a new species. Science decided to keep all skulls, from the same period in Africa and Eurasia; despite the differences, under to the same species. Homo erectus would be the first human species to spread over a large part of the world. Among Homo erectus, Homo ergaster, and Homo georgicus were shared among Homo erectus. The term Homo erectus was added to this, a collective name for humans who underwent evolution and produced various human species. Homo georgicus is the Eurasian branch of Homo erectus. The Dmanisi hominids are the earliest well-dated hominin fossils in Eurasia. They are the best-preserved fossils of early Homo, so early in time. The find supports the migration of humans from Africa.
It is remarkable that the brain size is clearly smaller than Homo erectus. The body height of 1,45 m and 1,66 m is between that of Homo habilis and the representatives of Homo erectus. The large bony crests above the eyes are immediately reminiscent of Homo erectus. Due to the significant differences in characteristics, science suspects that Homo georgicus is a transitional form between Homo habilis and Homo erectus. Another indication is that these people were not yet more developed than Homo habilis due to the primitive tools that more closely match Homo habilis and not Homo erectus. The Java Man is the current (2023) representative for Homo erectus (1 million years BC – 900,000 years BC).
Replica. Found: Dmanisi, Georgia (JN0825)
Replica Front. Found: Dmanisi, Georgia (JN0825)
Homo Erectus Georgicus Skull
± 1,8 million yrs. BC
In the south of Georgia, near Dmanisi, archaeological finds were unearthed in the ruins of the ancient city. In what the archaeologists thought to be medieval wells with an economic purpose, they found fossilized animal bones on the walls and bottom. The expedition was very productive and also uncovered a quantity of stone tools and a primate mandible. After a long discussion, about the results, the archaeologists concluded that it was an early Homo erectus, which was found outside Africa. The basalt layers date back to 1,8 million years BC. Excavations continued and over the next few years they found other hominin remains.
After studying the fossils for a year, it was clear that the jaws and skulls were closer to Homo ergaster than Homo erectus. Homo ergaster is considered the early African representative of Homo erectus.
Our specimen is a replica of skull 5 discovered in 2005. The skull matched the lower jaw excavated in 2000 and is the first fully preserved skull of an adult Pleistocene humanoid. The classification of the Dmanisi hominids is still (2023) disputed. The debate continues over whether they represent an early Homo erectus or are a separate species of Homo georgicus from an early migration by Homo erectus from Africa. And are the five skulls of the same species?
The skull indicates that small brained, large faces with prominent brow ridges fell within the Dmanisi people. The humans were about 1,45-1,66 m tall and weighed about 40-50 kg. They were smaller than Homo ergaster, possibly because they were more primitive. The body proportions were similar to those of modern humans.
Homo georgicus is said to have lived near a lake shore. The environment would have been relatively moist and wooded. They would have experienced cold winters, perhaps similar to a Mediterranean climate. Deer fossils suggest a dominant forest cover. A large number of fossilized plant seeds have also been found. These would show that the humans already had an impact on the local flora. In addition to berries and fruits, they were able to exploit food resources. Meat probably formed a large part of their diet during the winter.
The finds point in the direction of some kinship-dependent social cooperation. There is also circumstantial evidence that the community cared for older persons in their society, as a toothless person survived for a long time, which may have been possible only with the help of others.