Boxing Day: A Mystery Holiday

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Many Americans know the day after Christmas as a day to take advantage of great sales and/or sleep off the Christmas “food coma”, but in other parts of the world, notably Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand the day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day.  Growing up, I recall seeing the name of the holiday on the calendar year after year but not really knowing what it was.  Even after spending seven years in Canada (one of the places where the holiday is celebrated) I still never had a good sense of what the holiday was or how exactly one celebrated it.  Today’s blog post is dedicated to exploring the origins and purpose of Boxing Day.

Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26, the day after Christians celebrate Christmas.  The origins of Boxing Day are imprecisely known despite years of historical study on the topic.  Scholars are divided between two primary ideas about the origins of the holiday: one school of thought believes that the holiday is related to employers giving their servants a gift box the day after Christmas, while the other school of thought promotes the idea of the day after Christmas being the time when the local churches patronized the poor with monetary donations collected from regular and more well off parishioners.  Either way, the idea of donating money and goods appears to be a strong theme among some individuals who opt to celebrate the holiday.  Monetary donations are often given to individuals of the “working class”, such as the local gardener and paper deliverer, whereas others opt to be a bit more international with their donations, sending gift boxes overseas to families in need.  In Ireland, older boys and young men take on the role of “Wren Boys” as they go door to door soliciting for donations that are later granted to the poor and those in need in the community.

This tradition for celebrating Boxing Day, however, is the ideal and unfortunately not one I experienced during my tenure in Canada.  The most common means of celebrating this holiday is through shopping.  Many retailers have tremendous sales that consumers anxiously look forward to and take advantage of, waking in the wee hours and arriving at stores by dawn.  Those, however, who are not keen on braving the crowds or have little interest in shopping can and often do take advantage of the various sporting events hosted on the day.  Much like in the USA on Thanksgiving, Canada plays host to a variety of hockey tournaments and games.  In England, soccer, horse racing, swimming in the English Channel (for charity), and fox hunting are traditional activities to either watch or actively engage in.  The holiday is also often celebrated with family and friends who dine on Christmas dinner left-overs or traditional fares, such as mince pies with brandy butter or Christmas cakes. 

While very little is known about the origins of Boxing Day, it is a day that is celebrated across Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand much like how it is in the USA.  Shopping, sporting events, and spending time with family and friends are popular means of celebrating the day.  Some opt for a more charitable mode of celebration.  Either way, it is another holiday in a myriad holidays celebrated at the end of the year, and one that you may experience if you are ever overseas. 

References Cited

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/xmas/boxingday.html

http://www.factmonster.com/spot/boxingday1.html

http://britishfood.about.com/od/christmas/p/boxingday.htm

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/boxing-day

 

Spotlight on Students: Hominid Profiles

The following post features exemplary student work from my Introduction to Physical Anthropology students.  They were tasked with discussing a specific hominid species of their choice.  I hope you enjoy learning about human evolution.

Homo floresiensis

April Bruan

Anth102: 1501 Introduction to Physical Anthropology

            Whenever a possibly new hominid species is found, it scrutinized relentlessly to make sure that it is, in fact, a new species and not an already known species. Homo floresiensis is a relatively newly found hominid species that is still in the middle of a debate about whether it is a new species or simply an altered form of another species. Whether H. floresiensis is an entirely new species or an altered modern human, it is a fascinating find.   

            H. floresiensis is named after the island of Flores in Southeast Asia. H. floresiensis was discovered under a layer of volcanic ash that is dated from about 12,000 years ago in a limestone cave called Liang Bau in 2003 (Stein and Rowe). Flores is the only place where H. floresiensis has been found. The first and most complete skeleton that was found was named LB1 after the name of the cave. Various pieces of up to 12 additional skeletons have also been found (Human Origins). LB1 was a 30-year-old female that is believed to be from approximately 18,000 years ago. It is believed that H. floresiensis lived on the island of Flores from approximately 17,000 up to 95,000 years ago which means that they lived during the age of modern humans (Human Origins). LB1 stood at about three and a half feet tall, was bipedal and weighed around 70 pounds (Stein and Rowe). For this reason, the species has been given the nickname “Hobbit”  after J. R. R. Tolken’s book The Hobbit that is about little people (Livescience). The brain of H. floresiensis was about a third of the size of the modern human’s (Stein and Rowe).    

            Based on some of the findings in and around the cave where LB1 was found we can get an idea about the life of  H. floresiensis. Stone tools such as blades and other utensils were found along with fossils of animals that were most likely hunted by H. floresiensis (National Geographic). Remains of a dwarfed species of Stegodons, extinct mammals that were very similar to elephants,  were found on Flores. Some of the remains have evidence of butchering on them indicating that they were used as food (Nature). Also found were giant rats and lizards. H. floresiensis used fire to cook their food as evidenced by hearths that were found (National Geographic).   

            Controversy surrounding H. floresiensis has to do with its belonging to its own, separate species. There is debate about H. floresiensis being a descendant of H. erectus or possibly even H. sapiens (Sci-news). One of the doubts is based on the brain size of H. floresiensis and the complexity of the tools that were used. Some people believe that H. floresiensis is H. sapiens with a form of microcephaly or even Down Syndrome. The remains of H. floresiensis do not support that hypothesis (Indonesian-find).  Another question about H. floresiensis is how the species came to be on the island of Flores. One hypothesis is that a small group of H. erectus made it to the island where over time they evolved into H. floresiensis by what is known as insular dwarfism. Insular dwarfism is when a mammal evolves into a smaller body because of the isolation of living on an island (Stein and Rowe). Insular dwarfism also helps to explain the dwarfed Stegodon species found on Flores. So far there is no evidence of H. sapiens and H. floresiensis living together on Flores, but it is possible since their times overlap (National Geographic).    

            In conclusion, whether H. floresiensis remains a unique species or turns out to be a form of another species, one thing is certain, and that is H. floresiensis is a fascinating species. The fact that H. floresiensis may be the last human before H. sapiens, possibly even have interacted with modern humans, is fascinating to me. Not only is H. floresiensis still mostly a mystery, but the artists’ impressions that I have seen make them out to have been a very interesting looking species. I am very curious to see what becomes of the Hobbit species as the debate continues.

Works Cited

Bryner, Jeanna. "Homo Floresiensis: Facts About the 'Hobbit'" LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 26 Apr. 2013. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. <http://www.livescience.com/29100-homo-floresiensis-hobbit-facts.html>.

"Hobbit-Like Human Ancestor Found in Asia." National Geographic. National Geographic Society. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/10/1027_041027_homo_floresiensis.html>.

"Homo Floresiensis." Homo Floresiensis. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. <http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-floresiensis>.

"Homo Floresiensis." Nature.com. Nature Publishing Group. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. <http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v441/n7093/abs/nature04618.html>.

"Homo Floresiensis - Australian Museum." Homo Floresiensis - Australian Museum. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. <http://australianmuseum.net.au/Homo-floresiensis>.

"Homo Floresiensis Distinct Human Species, Says New Research." Breaking Science News SciNewscom. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. <http://www.sci-news.com/othersciences/anthropology/science-homo-floresiensis-01226.html>.

"Infobase Learning - Login." Infobase Learning - Login. Web. 13 Nov. 2014. <http://icof.infobaselearning.com/support-materials/special-reports/2004/indonesian-find-complicates-human-evolution-picture-(special-report).aspx?sr=1>.

Stein, Philip, and Bruce Rowe. Physical Anthropology. 11th ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2014. Print.

Homo erectus/ergaster

Denise Reed
Anth 102: 1001 Introduction to Physical Anthropology

Homo ergaster, also known as Homo erectus, have been found in Africa, Europe, and Asia.  Although both H. ergaster and H. erectus as phenotypically similar, they are named for the geographic area of their finds.^[1]  The first discovery was made by Eugene Dubois, a 19th century anatomist, who was working as a military doctor, in the Dutch East Indies, now known as Indonesia.  As the excavations of the species continued on, the finds came with more and more advancement in tools.^[2]  There are many fascinating aspects attributed to H. ergaster/erectus, but the greatest discovery was the large distances that they have traveled.  Their skulls and brains are similar in symmetry and hemisphere separation to modern Homo sapiens.  Many defining characteristics are becoming more “human like” at this time.^[3]  H. ergaster/erectus has taken the evolutionary step to looking and acting more human like. 
            In 1890 to 1892 Eugene Dubois began searching through Asia looking to prove that humanity did not have their origins in Africa.  Although this is a racist way of thinking, it was not uncommon at this time in history.^[4]  In 1890 Dubois found a jaw fragment at Kedung Brabus.  Then in 1891 he was was working at Trinil Java where he found a skull cap, and in 1892 he  found a femur, also at Trinil Java.  The femur was of a hominin that walked upright bipedal.^[5]  Dubois, since he was the first to find the species, called it Pithecanthropus erectus, which literally translated means “Ape Man Who Stands Erect”.^[6]  In 1895 Dubois went back to the Netherlands and presented his findings.  This created quite a stir among paleontologists, and more professionals came to Asia to look for evidence that Dubois did find a new species.  They have found other remains at Sangiran, Modjokerto, Ngandong, and Sambungmacan.^[7]     In Africa in 1960 the first discovery of a partial cranium was found by Louis Leakey.  In 2003 a partial cranium of KNM-OL 45500 a juvenile or small adult was discovered.^[8]  The findings in Asia are called H. ergaster and the findings in Africa are called H. erectus.  The two species although separated by miles are phenotypically similar, leading us to believe that they are the first to travel long distances.^[9]  There is some speculation that there were two migrations into China, first into Java and the second into north eastern China^[10]

Homo ergaster/erectus made astonishing strides in tool making.  They began with chip rock and progressed to hand axes, cleavers, and picks.  They began manipulating the natural world to suit their needs.  The tools that they used were more durable than that of the basic chip rock.  These tools were made from large stone flakes that were used to produce sharp edges.  The improvement created more durable tools, and they maintained their sharpness for longer periods of time than their predecessors of chip rock.  With examination of these tools it has been shown that the tools were used on meat, bone, animal hides and wood.  These new sets of tools are called Acheulian stone tools, after St Acheul in France where they found a similar cache of tools during the 1800s. 

It is even supposed that they began using fire to cook and stay warm.  Fire may have been used as far back as 1.5 million years ago, but this is not completely sustainable by facts.  They have found charcoal, burnt earth and charred bones with Homo ergaster fossils, but this may have been from natural fires.  There has been a discovery in Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa that does suggest the use of fire may have been occurring up to 1.7 million years ago.  Archeologists and anthropologists have found stratified deposits containing burnt stones, charred-calcined bones and traces of ash that point to repeated burning.^[11]

Homo ergaster/erectus was tall and thin with long legs.  Females were about five feet three inches or 160 centimeters and the males were about five feet eleven inches or about 180 centimeters.  Their bodies were possibly hairless for improving the cooling of the body, by sweating.  The average brain size was about 860 cubic centimetres, and their skulls were looking more human in shape, unlike their predecessors.   Differentiating from humans, “the cranium had a moderate postorbital constriction (indents behind the eye sockets).  This feature is linked to brain size.  As our ancestors’ brains expanded, their skulls became fuller and more round with increasingly smaller post-orbital constructions.” according to Dennis O'Neill who wrote  “early Human Evolution: Homo Ergaster and Erectus”.  Their noses now projected out and this is the first time that this has happened.  The noses of previous ancestors were flat.  They did have mild prognathism, but it is far less pronounced than previous species.  Their jaws were more slightly built giving them a short face, the front jaw sloped backward with no pointed chin, like we have today.^[12]  The arrangement of teeth were what Homo sapiens have today.  They had a reduction in the size of molars and premolars, making incisors and canines needing to do more in food processing.  The evolution of the genus Homo is synonymous with the teeth getting smaller.  The reason that they are getting smaller may be do to major changes in diet, increasing emphasis on meat, and new ways of preparing food, ie., the development of cooking, and more effective tools for hunting and butchering.^[13]  This is also the first species that has fully erect bipedal locomotion. 

Although we still had some major changes that would come to physically change us, there are many similarities with H. ergaster/erectus that shows the evolution of the species of mankind.  Some major milestones were met with this species, the capability of walking long distances and adjusting to different climates, the fully erect bipedal locomotion, and the possible use of fire.  Mankind was truly on his way to what we have today, thanks to the natural selection at the time of  H. ergaster/erectus. 

Works Cited

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^[1] Dr. Boston, Christine. "Chapter 14 Lecture." Chapter 14 Lecture. Anthropology 102 Class, Reno. Nov. 2014. Lecture

^[2] Rowe, Bruce M. "Chapter 14 Early Species of the Genus Homo." ANTH 102 Introduction to Human Evolution. By Philip L. Stein. 11th ed. N.p.: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2014. 328-30. Print.

^[3] Rowe, Bruce M. "Chapter 14 Early Species of the Genus Homo." ANTH 102 Introduction to Human Evolution. By Philip L. Stein. 11th ed. N.p.: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2014. 328-30. Print.

^[4] Dr. Boston, Christine. "Chapter 14 Lecture." Chapter 14 Lecture. Anthropology 102 Class, Reno. Nov. 2014. Lecture

^[5] Rowe, Bruce M. "Chapter 14 Early Species of the Genus Homo." ANTH 102 Introduction to Human Evolution. By Philip L. Stein. 11th ed. N.p.: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2014. 328-30. Print.

^[6] O'Neil, Dennis. "Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus." Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus. Palomar, 2013. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. <http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo/homo_2.htm>.

^[7] O'Neil, Dennis. "Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus." Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus. Palomar, 2013. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. <http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo/homo_2.htm>.

^[8] Rowe, Bruce M. "Chapter 14 Early Species of the Genus Homo." ANTH 102 Introduction to Human Evolution. By Philip L. Stein. 11th ed. N.p.: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2014. 328-30. Print.

^[9] Dr. Boston, Christine. "Chapter 14 Lecture." Chapter 14 Lecture. Anthropology 102 Class, Reno. Nov. 2014. Lecture.

^[10] Dr. Boston, Christine. "Chapter 14 Lecture." Chapter 14 Lecture. Anthropology 102 Class, Reno. Nov. 2014. Lecture.

^[11] O'Neil, Dennis. "Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus." Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus. Palomar, 2013. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. <http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo/homo_2.htm>.

^[12] O'Neil, Dennis. "Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus." Early Human Evolution:  Homo Ergaster and Erectus. Palomar, 2013. Web. 09 Nov. 2014. <http://anthro.palomar.edu/homo/homo_2.htm>.

^[13] Rowe, Bruce M. "Chapter 14 Early Species of the Genus Homo." ANTH 102 Introduction to Human Evolution. By Philip L. Stein. 11th ed. N.p.: Mc Graw Hill Education, 2014. 328-30. Print.