Early Hominids of Asia

Homo erectus left Africa about 1.8 million years ago (1.8 Mya). This species of human is believed to have lived in Asia and Southeast Asia, from 1.8 Mya – 40 ka. [1]

For some reason (probably humans, maybe disease too, and environmental changes played a role) homo erectus went extinct. One of our last sibling — and potentially ancestor — species had entered the void.

The regional distinction of the Homo erectus who lived in Asia, is the classification homo erectus strico. [1] They used simple tools, and had small brains compared to later homo sapiens. [1]

Earliest human fossils outside of Africa are of Asia Homo erectus (H. erectus strico) found in the Caucasus (Dmanisi, REpublic of Georgia). These date to about 1.8 Ma in age. These Dmanisi fossils are named homo erectus georgicus. [1]

The tools found near the Dmanisi fossils include a cutting flake, core, and chopper. (Simple tools, like those found in Africa.) [1]

Along with H. erectus georgicus were fossil remains that looked like H. ergaster. [1] This indicates several human species may have lived around the Caucasus at this time. [1]

Animal bones found nearby include short-neck giraffes, ostriches, ancient rhinoceroses (from Africa) and saber-toothed cats and wolves from Eurasia. [1]

Homo erectus Java Man are the oldest human remains from SE Asia. These are found in Java, Indonesia, in the Pacific Ocean, between layers of volcanic debris. Java man dates to about 300 ka. [1]

Peking Man (400 ka). Around 40 H. erectus individuals were found at Zhoukoudian near Beijing. These homo erectus remains date to around 400 ka. [1]

Homo erectus is believed to have occupied the region around Zhoukoudian (as well as greater East Asia) for hundreds of thousands of years.

They survived in Indonesia until 200 ka. This group of Homo erectus may have been the first to use fire, and the first to cook food with it (reducing disease).

A skull found in central China (200-50 ka) is similar to H. heidelbergensis of both Europe and Asia. [1]