ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Foramen Magnum, Tooth Enamel, Bipedalism
6 Sep 2017
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The study of human fossils and ancestors (hominids) Hominid humans and their direct ancestors (maybe early apes, primates) Physical sciences (ex. geology); biological sciences; and social science. Organic material (ex. bone) is replaced by minerals from surrounding soil - petrifaction. Earliest fossils found: east africa and south africa. 1500 bones, ll in gap of fossil record. Oldest hominid fossils from sites in ethiopia. Fully hominid dental complex, but tooth enamel is thinner. Big toe is more ape-like (but less exibility) Demonstrate early signs of bipedalism and place them in forest setting rather than savannah. Lucy fossil (most complete example - 40% preserved) Lower limb bones (important for study of bipedalism) Position of foramen magnum (hole in skull to connect spine) Hominid spine has two distinct curves (lumbar and thoratic) Humans: arch in foot and big tone inline with other toes. No - earliest tools date to 2. 5 million years ago. 2-parent family & sexual division of labor.
