Physical Anthropology Flashcards
(27 cards)
Physical Anthropology
Study of evolution of the human species comprised of all comparison of human genetic characteristic w/ those of monkeys, gorillas, + chimps
Humans Variation
Physical similarities + Differences between diff. human populations.
If we have a common ancestor, why do we look diff. from each other?
- Migration pathways
- DNA deviation
- Environmental effects on humans bodies
Primatology
Study of primates + their behaviours as to that of humans.
Paleoanthropolgy
Study of the remains of bodies + bones.
Louis & Mary Leakey
- Discovered physical evidence proving timeline for evolution
- Austropithecus & Homo habilis - Credited for finding 3.5 mil-yr-old hominid footprints in Tanzania
- Showed hominids walked up right = bipedalism - Discoveries in Southeastern & East Africa
Theory of Evolution
- Plant + animals developed gradually through natural processes
- Charles Darwin suggested species changed/adapted over time to their environments; observed that species varied
= there had to be competition for survival - Controversial
Theory of Evolution Via Natural Selection
- All species are capable of change
- Darwin’s Theory: Descendants inherit the most useful characteristics survived the struggle for existence –> others die out = natural selection
- A new variety of species supersedes be it can adapt + is better suit to the environment
Variation
There’s a lot of variation among species.
- Occurs partly bc random mutation
Hereditary
Organisms inherit their characteristics from their parents through generations
Physical Environment Traits
Throughout life, genomes interact w/ environment to cause variation in traits. The traits permit them to survive until the age of reproduction to pass these traits to offspring.
Credibility to Theories
- Science of genetics: explain variations + how variations are passed on
- Evidence from fossil remains support Darwin’s ideas
Homo Habilis
- ‘Handy man’
- 1st to develop + use tools
- 2.5 mil yrs ago in Africa
- Brain size + teeth = our ancestor?
Homo Erectus
- Appeared 2 mil yrs ago
- Completely bipedal
- 1st specimens in Java (700 000 yrs old)
- 1st to use fire
- 1st to migrate to Europe + Eastern Asia
Homo Sapiens
- ‘Man who thinks’
- Spoken language
- More sophisticated tools
- Oldest finds from Hungary (450 000-400 000 yrs old)
Neanderthals
- Europe
- Appeared 230 000 yrs ago
- Disappeared 30 000 yrs ago
- Travelled east from central Europe into Asia + Middle East
- Pop. less than 100 000
- Short life expectancy
Homo Sapiens Sapiens
- 40 000 yrs ago, moved into Europe
- Developed to endure colder climates
- Made clothing, better shelters, efficient hearths
- As tall as northeastern Europeans
- Eventually moved to Asia
Forensic Anthopology
The field of study that deals w/ the analysis of human skeletal remains resulting from unexplained deaths.
Ostology
Study of skeletal remains.
Physical Evolution of Humans
Evolution traces human development through several stages OR species from the first human-like beings to modern humans.
When did hominids appear?
Over 4 million years ago.
What makes us different from apes?
- Opposable thumbs
- Larger brain size
- Hominids are apart of human family tree
- Bipedalism
Advantages of Bipedalism
- Hands + arms free to hold items while moving
- Can walk longer distances
- View surroundings (in case of predators)
Ardipithecus Ramidus - “Ardi”
- 4.4 mil yrs ago
- Pelvis shows adaptions combining tree-climbing + bipedal activity
- Ardi has human + chimp-like features
