ANTH 1002 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Oldowan, Australopithecine, Portable Art
Document Summary
Nonhuman primates and the roots of human culture. Primates are an order of mammals that includes modern humans. Unlike other animals, primates rely heavily on vision. Because of large brain size, primates take longer to mature. Most species are arboreal (tree-dwelling), quadrupedal (on all fours), and diurnal (active during the day) Use smell, touch, and facial expressions to communicate. We share a common ancestor between 4-8 million years ago. Species include orangutans, gorillas, chimps, bonobos, and humans, which all are endangered in the wild. Humans diverged from gorillas and developed walking on two legs, having larger brains, and having more complex language. Orangutans make simple tools for termite and ant fishing. Bonobos are especially endangered since they have no protection in their home region of sub-saharan africa . In the 1950s, japanese primatologists came across imo the macaque who taught her group how to collect rice grains from a beach.
