Overview

This topic will provide an in-depth overview of the evolution of our species (and other hominins) who evolved and dispersed around the globe in the Late Pleistocene. The topic will take the form of a journey, originating in Africa, and covering multiple dispersals from the continent into Eurasia and beyond … For more content click the Read More button below.

Topic availabilities

To view topic availabilities, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.

Tuition pattern

To view tuition patterns, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.

Aims

This topic aims to:

  • Provide an understanding of how hominins and ultimately our genus and species evolved in Africa
  • Inform students how members of our genus, Homo, left Africa and present the various demographic scenarios that have been put forward relating to multiple dispersal events
  • Provide students with a framework of human evolution outside Africa and how ancient and modern DNA have changed the way we understand these processes and the relationships we had with our closest sapiens ancestors
  • Examine the interplay between environmental change and human dispersal around the globe
  • Inform students how the field of human evolution has advanced so rapidly in the past decade, providing insights into the complexity of Pleistocene demographics
  • Address the big issues in human evolution today such as the timing of dispersals into Australia and the Americas

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Demonstrate a good understanding of the current literature that focuses on the timing of dispersals of Middle and Late Pleistocene hominins out of Africa and around the globe
2.
Discuss the evidence for and against specific forces (e.g. climatic, behavioural) as drivers of hominin dispersal out of Africa and into Eurasia, Australasia and the Americas
3.
Appraise the evidence available for speciation and interbreeding among different populations/species of Late Pleistocene humans (e.g. Neandertals, Denisovans, H. antecessor, H. floresiensis)
4.
Evaluate the role of material culture and archaeological sites for understanding of how our species came to disperse around the globe in the Late Pleistocene

Assessments

To view assessment information, select an availability from the drop down, towards the top right of the screen.

Current students should refer to FLO for detailed assessment information, including due dates. Assessment information is accurate at the time of publishing.

For policy details, visit Assessments