ARCH 131 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Hominidae, Femoral Head, Australopithecine
30 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
We shared a common ancestor with the great apes between 6 8 mya. Found in chad, far away from west africa or south africa where other early fossils were found. Based off of the animal deposits in the sites (indirect dating) Relatively small brain, 380 cc, comparable to the chimpanzee. Canines are rather small, larger than ours, smaller than a chimpanzee. The researchers argue that it was a biped, based on the nuchal line. This tells about where the muscles were attached. So based on the location, researchers argue that toumai was bipedal. Some also say that it was more of a habitual biped, not an obligate biped. Have a few teeth, mandible fragments, and femur fragment. Argues that it was a habitual, if not an obligate biped. Between 5 and 1 mya at least 15 species. Lots of fragments from at least 33 individuals. Has some primitive traits and some advanced (derived) traits.
