Final answer:
Homo erectus could populate much of Asia due to their adaptability, bipedalism, ability to use tools and control fire, their hunting skills, and sophisticated social structures. They migrated across diverse climates, following prey and utilizing natural paths, which facilitated their extensive migrations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Homo erectus was able to populate much of Asia because they were a highly adaptable species with advanced capabilities compared to earlier hominins. They had several physical and behavioral attributes that facilitated their expansion. First, Homo erectus exhibited bipedalism, walking upright which freed their hands for using tools. Their improved tool usage, along with the ability to control fire, greatly aided in their capacity to adapt to new environments. Moreover, they were skilled hunters and likely followed migratory paths of prey while utilizing natural routes such as river corridors.
Their physical attributes included a larger brain size, between 1,000 and 1,200 cubic centimeters, and a robust physique, standing 150 to 180 centimeters tall. These traits helped Homo erectus to survive in diverse climates, from the temperate to tropical regions found throughout Asia. Communal living and cooperation would have been vital for these early humans as they traversed vast landscapes, faced predators, and adapted to different ecological niches.
The ability to care for the sick and the elderly, as well as possible vocal communication, points to a complex social structure that would have supported group survival and facilitated their extensive migration. Over time, these migrations and adaptations resulted in Homo erectus inhabiting a wide range of Asian territories, from the Near East to the Far East, including present-day Indonesia.