Final answer:
Homo erectus, also known as Java Man or Pithecanthropus erectus, was discovered in Java, Indonesia by Dutch anatomist Eugene Dubois in 1891. Homo erectus lived approximately 1.2-1.6 million years ago and had distinctive physical characteristics such as a projecting nasal spine, shovel-shaped incisors, and pronounced brow ridges. They were also efficient hunters with longer legs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homo erectus, also known as Java Man or Pithecanthropus erectus, was first discovered in Java, Indonesia by Dutch anatomist Eugene Dubois in 1891. He found a skull cap and a femur at a site called Trinil and named the specimen Pithecanthropus erectus. The most current dates for Homo erectus are 1.2-1.6 million years ago. Homo erectus had a cranial capacity averaging 900 cc and exhibited several distinguishing characteristics including a slightly projecting nasal spine, shovel-shaped incisors, nuchal crest, thick skull bones, and pronounced brow ridges. They also had longer legs, indicating efficient energy use and effective hunting skills.