ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Australopithecus Garhi, Organic Matter, Paranthropus Boisei

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Anthropology
• Course: ANTHROP 1AA3
• Professor: Andrew Wade

Document Summary

Study of ancient humans found in fossils. Hominid: humans and their direct ancestors, key feature: bipedalism. Multidisciplinary: experts from various scientific disciplines work together. Physical sciences (geology-rocks), biological sciences (anatomy), social sciences (language development) Organic material (bone) is replaced by minerals from surrounding soil-petrifaction (turning to stone) Any remains of life preserved in rocks. Earliest hominid fossils found in africa (mainly east and south) Primitive but fully hominid dental complex (same number of and teeth as we have) Opposable big toe- lacks flexibility more adapted for walking bipedaly. Not certain if bipedal, or bipedal all the time. Lived in forest environment, therefore bipedalism developed in a forest setting impo. For understanding b/c thought developed in savannah-like setting in order to look over tall grass for predators. In ethiopian fossils establish a unique like with chimps, through bodies (teeth, skull) Manual dexterity (good with manipulating things with their fingers)