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Homo erectus was discovered in 1891 by Eugène Dubois, in Java. In the ensuing period, discoveries were also made in parts of Indonesia and China. It lived from approximately 1.8 million to 500,000 years ago, although scientists are not sure of the former date. Its cranial capacity was from 800 cc to 1200 cc. It featured a long, low cranium, with prominent browridges, and thick skull bones. Like ergaster, it had large incisors and canines, but small molars and premolars. Its body size was approximately the size of Homo sapiens. Its postcrania (arm and legs) had a robust build, but were distinctly human.
Homo erectus used the Acheulean tool kit, which consisted mainly of choppers, hand-axes, and scrapers. Scientists are very sure that Homo erectus hunted, or at least, for the later part of its existence. The evidence includes traps, and cut marks obviously made under that of a carnivore tooth mark. In the latter situation, the hominid is the one who obtains possession of the bone first.
Homo erectus was the first to invent fire. This is supported by charred bones and stones found in the many H. erectus sites all over the world. Fire provided a great number of advantages, including warmth, light, safety from predators, cooked food (easier to digest) and many others. It was fire that allowed H. erectus to migrate north into Europe. The earliest sign is in Spain, who's northeastern region was inhabited by H. erectus more than 800,000 years ago. It arrived in France at around 450,000 years ago, where we find temporary huts made of sticks of wood, stuck into the ground and surrounded by a circle of stones.
While hand-axes have been found in almost the whole world, they are nonexistent in the eastern Asian H. erectus caves. Instead, there is an extensive array of choppers, scrapers, and bone implements--belonging distinctively to the Advanced Oldowan tool industry. It seems as if the Asian specimens have declined from the high state of technology to the low. One explanation is that, when H. erectus moved into Asia, he no longer needed the hand-axes. This theory is perfectly logical because species, when put under different conditions will generally adapt--in any way possible and in any way that is most beneficial--to its new environment. Another interpretation is that some early Homo species arrived at Asia around 2 million years ago, carrying with it the Advanced Oldowan industry. This is evidenced by the recent discovery of a few specimens, found in caves located in China, that dated to approximately 2 million years ago. Either explanation is supported by evidence and are both credible, so choose whichever one you want. Personally, however, I feel the first reason is the most feasible.
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