Definition: The Turnover Pulse Hypothesis was constructed by paleoanthropologist Elisabeth Vrba to explain the appearance of an extensive evolutionary shift world wide, that led to early hominin forms in Africa. Vrba believes that a worldwide climatic cooling about 2.5 million years ago forced animals to adapt to increasingly arid and open conditions. Our early Homo ancestors evolved a larger brain, began using tools and (maybe) had a social structure; australopithecines evolved more massive teeth and jaws. The main argument against Vrba's theory has to do with other evolutionary shifts occurring at different times.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
This glossary entry is part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Sources for the term include the references listed on the front page of the Dictionary, and the websites listed in the sidebar.
