The spelling of "pithecanthropus erectus" refers to an extinct hominin species and can be pronounced as /pɪˌθikænˈθrɔːpəs ɪˈrɛktəs/. The term was coined by Dutch anatomist Eugène Dubois in 1891 to describe fossils found in Java, Indonesia. The word "pithecanthropus" comes from the Greek words "pithekos" meaning "ape" and "anthropos" meaning "human." Meanwhile, "erectus" refers to the upright posture of this species. Despite the varied debates on human evolution, the scientific name "pithecanthropus erectus" is still recognized to this day.
Pithecanthropus erectus, also known as Homo erectus, is an extinct species of early human that lived approximately 1.9 million to 143,000 years ago. The term "pithecanthropus" is derived from Greek words "pithekos" meaning ape and "anthropos" meaning human, emphasizing the species' transitional characteristics between apes and modern humans. "Erectus" refers to the species' upright posture, distinguishing it from earlier hominids.
Pithecanthropus erectus is believed to be the first human ancestor to have migrated out of Africa and dispersed throughout Eurasia. They displayed numerous advancements compared to their predecessors, including a larger brain, reduced jaw size and thickness, and a more developed body structure for endurance walking and running. Their average height ranged from around 5.5 to 6 feet (1.6 to 1.8 meters) tall.
This early human species left a significant paleoanthropological record, with numerous fossil remains found, particularly in Indonesia, China, and Africa. These discoveries have shed light on their anatomical features, brain size, and cultural aspects, suggesting the use of simple tools and possible fire control.
The existence and impact of pithecanthropus erectus on human evolution is a subject of ongoing research and debate. Nevertheless, they are considered a crucial evolutionary link between earlier hominids and modern humans.
The word "Pithecanthropus erectus" is derived from Greek and Latin.
"Pithecanthropus" is a compound word, where "pithekos" (πίθηκος) means "ape" in Greek, and "anthropos" (ἄνθρωπος) means "man" or "human being" in Greek. The term was coined by the Dutch anatomist Eugène Dubois in 1893 to describe a fossil he discovered that he believed represented an intermediate stage between apes and humans.
"Erectus" comes from Latin and means "upright" or "erect". This term was added to "Pithecanthropus" to denote the belief that this early hominin species had the ability to walk upright on two legs, which is a defining characteristic of humans.