Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(a) Principles of Prehistoric Archaeology > Chronology > Absolute dating methods
Asian Homo erectus — 2014 Paper I
Question · 2014 · Paper I · 10 Marks
Asian Homo erectus
Model Answer
VAID ICSApproach
- Demand of Question: Describe the principal fossil evidence and morphological characteristics of Asian Homo erectus.
- Structuring the Response: Locate major Asian sites, identify diagnostic cranial features, and mention its evolutionary significance.
- Key Dimensions to Cover: Java, Zhoukoudian, Trinil, Sangiran, Peking Man, thick cranial bones, sagittal keel and occipital torus.
Model Answer
Introduction: Asian Homo erectus represents populations of early Homo widely distributed in East and Southeast Asia during the Pleistocene. Important fossils come especially from Indonesia and China.
Major sites
Indonesia:
- Trinil;
- Sangiran;
- Ngandong.
The Trinil remains discovered by Eugène Dubois were initially named Pithecanthropus erectus or “Java Man”.
China:
- Zhoukoudian;
- Lantian;
- Hexian.
Zhoukoudian fossils were historically called Peking Man.
Salient features
Asian H. erectus generally shows:
- long and low cranial vault;
- thick cranial bones;
- massive supraorbital torus;
- sagittal keel in many specimens;
- prominent occipital torus;
- receding forehead;
- absence of a true chin.
Cranial capacity broadly ranged around 700–1100 cc.
Postcranially, H. erectus had:
- fully terrestrial bipedalism;
- relatively modern body proportions.
Thus:
Robust skull + Enlarged brain + Efficient bipedalism
Conclusion: Asian Homo erectus demonstrates the successful early dispersal and long-term adaptation of the genus Homo across diverse Asian environments.
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UPSC Anthropology Optional 2014 — Paper I
28 questions8(a) Discuss Ageing and Senescence. Describe either the biological or social theories of Ageing.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Ageing and senescence > Theories of ageing
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Infectious and non-infectious diseases
5(d) Asian Homo erectus
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.6 Phylogenetic status, characteristics and distribution > Homo erectus in Asia
5(a) Cross-sectional methods of studying human growth
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Human growth and development > Methodologies for growth studies > Cross-sectional method
1(a) Double Descent
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.5 Kinship > Descent > Double descent
1(d) Ecological Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Concepts and methods of Ecological Anthropology > Bio-cultural adaptations
5(c) Epidemiological Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.8 Epidemiological Anthropology > Health and disease
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.3 Mendelian population and Hardy-Weinberg law > Forces changing gene frequency
5(e) Fertility and Fecundity
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.3 Biological and socio-ecological factors influencing fecundity, fertility, natality and mortality
1(e) Field work tradition in Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.1 Research Methods > Fieldwork tradition in Anthropology
4(a) What is functionalism ? Discuss the functional approach to the understanding of Religion.
20 Marks
Syllabus: Paper I > 6. Anthropological Theories > Functionalism > Functional approach to religion
1(b) Genealogical Method
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 8.3 Research Methods: Tools of data collection > Genealogy
5(b) Genetic Counselling
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(d) Genetic screening, genetic counselling and human DNA profiling
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.7 Man's physiological responses to environmental stresses > High altitude climate
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.1 The Nature of Culture > Concept and characteristics of culture > Culture and human uniqueness
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Law and justice in simple societies
1(c) Major sub-divisions of Anthropology
10 Marks150 words
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.3 Main branches of Anthropology: their scope and relevance
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.3 Marriage > Definition and universality > Types of marriage
Syllabus: Paper I > 11.1 Relevance of menarche, menopause and other bio-events to fertility
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.8(b) Cultural Evolution: broad outlines of prehistoric cultures > Neolithic
Syllabus: Paper I > 5. Religion > Ritual and ceremony > Rites of passage (van Gennep)
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.1 Meaning, Scope and Development of Anthropology > Relevance of Anthropology
Syllabus: Paper I > 1.5 Characteristics of Primates > Comparative anatomy of man and apes
Syllabus: Paper I > 10. Concept of human growth and development > Stages of growth
Syllabus: Paper I > 4. Political Organization and Social Control > Band, tribe, chiefdom, state and stateless societies
Syllabus: Paper I > 2.2 The Nature of Society > Social stratification > Status and role; ascribed and achieved status
Syllabus: Paper I > 9.4(b) Sex chromosomal aberrations > Klinefelter (XXY) and Turner (XO)