Final Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is paleoanthropology?
Study of primates and their relatives to understand where humans came from
What physical features are used to define primates? That is, features of the limbs, hands, feet, eyes, etc.
Hind limbs & fore limbs
Clavicle
Omnivorous teeth
Flexible hands
Stereoscopic vision (forward facing eyes, depth
perception)
Brain larger area dedicated to vision & big brain
BipedalWhat is bipedalism?
Walking on two legs
Pros and Cons of Bipedalism
Pros:
More efficient over long distance travel
Regulate body temperature- less exposed to sun
standing upright;more of body exposed to wind
Cons: Always falling Oxygen does not reach the brain as well Stress on joints in lower body Challenges of childbirth
Why did early primates decide to walk on two feet?
See over tall grass
Keep hands free for carrying things
What are the anatomical features associated with bipedalism?
Foramen magnum in middle of head Curvature of spine Shorter arms than legs Pelvis is short curved and broad Knees angle inward Feet natural curvature to bones
Who are the Australopithecines?
Where are they found?
Why are they important?
“Southern Ape Man”
Dates from 1-4 MYA
FIRST EVIDENCE OF BIPEDALISM
East Africa
What do I mean by gracile Australopithecines and robust Australopithecines?
Gracile
Lighter in build
A. Aferensis
A. Africanus
Robust Massive face and jaws Sagital crest A. Boisei A, Robustus
Quadrupedal
magnum would be back of skull
Dog
Long skinny pelvis
Knee straight up and down
A. Aferensis
3 to 4 mya East Africa "Lucy" 440 cc Large canines First Bipedal- pelvis and leg bones Hard Diet GRACILE Cheeks slope inward
A. Africanus
2 to 3 mya South Africa "Southern Ape Man of Africa" Material found in caves Moderate brow ridges 428-485 cc 90 degree angle cheek bones
A. Boisei
1 to 2.3 mya East Africa "The Nutcracker Man" Co-existed with homo habilis and homo erectus Hyper robust Ate coarse nuts, seeds, and roots
A. Robustus
1 to 2.3 mya
South Africa
Human childbirth
Babies are born earlier and with a soft spot
Rate of development in the womb delayed
Pliable skulls
Homo Habilis
2.3 mya Africa "The Handy Man" 600 cc First stone tools Jump in brain size First meat consumption •Olduwan=Chopper ◦Hard Hammer- all tools start out this way
Homo Erectus
DOES NOT COME FROM AFRICA 1.8 MYA Long, football shaped skull Big, thick brow ridge 800-1000 cc Jaw bones are thinner and smaller Teeth relatively small Occipital Torus Post Orbital Constriction- cheekbones stick outmore BACK OF HEAD LOOKS LIKE PENTAGON Sagital keel, sagittal crest Soft hammer
Outside Africa Controlled use of fire Clothing Hunting Projecting nose Same height as us Using bone and antlers
Neandertals
NOT FOUND IN AFRICA Europe and Middle East 30,000 to 130,000 years ago Pronounced brow ridges Big head, big face Sloping forehead Big face Occipital bun LAST TO NOT HAVE CHIN 1,450 cc-1,300 cc Big protruding nose Big teeth No post orbital constriction
