Final answer:
Homo erectus had a smaller brain size compared to Homo sapiens, indicating less encephalization. Despite their smaller brain size, H. erectus showed significant advancement, including the use of fire and migration out of Africa.
Step-by-step explanation:
When we compare the relative brain size of Homo erectus with that of homo sapiens, we see that Homo erectus was considerably less encephalized than later members of the genus Homo. While H. erectus experienced a progressive increase in brain size over their existence, from about 550 cubic centimeters (cc) to as much as 1,250 cc, this still falls short of the brain size typically found in Homo sapiens, which ranges from approximately 1,130 to 1,260 cubic centimeters. Additionally, it is important to recognize that while brain size generally correlates with cognitive abilities, the organization of the brain is also crucial. For instance, Neanderthals had larger brains than modern humans on average, but different areas of their brains were developed differently, which might indicate different cognitive strengths. H. erectus was a pioneering species, the first to leave Africa and show evidence of using fire and creating a home base, but when it comes to encephalization, they were less advanced than later Homo species, including Homo sapiens.