ANTH 1032 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Bipedalism, Hominini, Australopithecus
11 Mar 2014
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Africa: particularly the east african rift valley, but also in central and southern africa. Skull and brain case of an ape: cranial capacity = ~350 cm3. No bones below the skull (i. e. postcranial bones) have been discovered. It shares characteristics with other hominids known to be bipedal. The change from four legged movement to two legged movement is the biggest change in the evolution of humans. Position of the foramen magnum is controversial. Hole in the bottom of the skull that attaches to the spine. Teeth: thick enamel like all australopithecines & species in genus homo, non-honing canines. Postcranial evidence of bipedal locomotion, but not obligate bipedalism. Curved phalanges some arborealism: phalanges: bones in fingers and toes. Powerful arms indicate climbing, not support of body weight. Opposable big toe: but rigid foot not well suited for full-time arborealism. Ape-like dentition: large canine and relatively small cheek teeth (with thin enamel) But non-honing canine = hominin trait.
