ANTH-2010 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Hominini, Brain Size, Sahelanthropus
25 Sep 2017
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Hominid: the taxonomic family that includes humans and the african apes and their immediate ancestors. Hominin: the taxonomic tribe that includes all the human species that ever have existed, including the extinct ones, but excluding chimps and gorillas. Walking on two legs- the most ancient trait that differentiates the early hominins from apes. Advantages-- hands are free to use tools, standing up is energy efficient, when they stand up less sun hits them and there is less solar radiation. Disadvantages-- slower running speed, taller height makes them easier to be seen by predators, lower back pains from standing all the time. Brachiation--can swing from tree limb to tree limb using only their arms. A larger brain and the longer period of childhood dependency. Like the apes, early hominins used & made tools (upright bipedalism permitted better use of tools & weapons) The oldest formally recognized stone tools (about 1. 8 million years old)
