ANTH 202 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Megafaunal Wolf, Flightless Bird, Phalanx Bone
28 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
A summary of trends in hominid evolution that begins with the anatomical changes we see in going from apes to early hominids and finally to modern humans. Also, the general developments in culture and technology that marked the emergence of modern humans, from homo habilis to homo sapiens up to recorded history. Bipedalism is locomotion where one walks on two hind legs. Several changes in the skeletal anatomy of apes are required for bipedalism. The foramen magnum (latin for big hole ) is the opening at the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes. In quadrupeds (four-legged walkers) this hole is located at the back of the skull. In bipeds the hole is at the bottom of the skull so that the head balances at the top of the spinal column. The big toe in modern humans is enlarged and brought in line with the other toes.
