Early Man Vocabulary

Sometimes a lay person can find it difficult to deal with scientific topics because of the terminology used. The area of the supposed evolution of man is no different. The fact that "scientific sounding" names are applied to pre-men fossil remains tends to make these findings seem more than what they really are. Here are some of the terms you will find being used and what they really stand for. Creationists regard each of these classifications as either fully ape (the Australopithecines) or fully human (the reminder listed).

Types of Australopithecines:
- Australopithecus afarensis = southern ape from Afar, Ethiopia
- Australopithecus africanus = southern ape from Africa.
  Gracile form with smaller jaws and teeth.
- Australopithecus robustus = southern ape, robust.
  More massive teeth and boney ridges (sagittal and supramastoid crests).
- Australopithecus boisei = southern ape named after Charles Boise, Louis and Mary Leakey's financier.
  Formerly Zinjananthropus bosei (Zinj is ancient Arabic word for East Africa).
Homo erectus = erect man.
"Pithecanthropines" are homo erectus.
Homo sapiens = wise man.
"Neanderthaloids" and "Cro-Magnon man" are homo sapiens.
Homo habilis = handy man

Continue with: Early Man: Australopithecines

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