ANTHROP 1AA3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Not Proven, Paranthropus Aethiopicus, Canine Tooth
2 Nov 2013
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Bipedalism: ability to walk upright on two legs. Australopithecus: 6 million 1 million years ago. Genus homo: appeared 2 million years ago. Started with homo habilis and then homo erectus. Distinctive features: reduction of face, jaw, teeth, larger brain size. Cannot find certain things out from fossil remains. Hominids are only primates that are fully bipedal. Hips and knee bones are different for this. Foramen magnum is at bottom of the skull for humans. Foramen magnum at back of skull for animals. Why bipedalism: probably evolved as a result of may factors not just one, thermoregulation is best explanation for bipedalism, had social and behavioural consequences, freed up hands so could use tools, transport food, carry babies. Tools would give access to greater variety of food sources. Capability of tool making is not dependent on bipedalism. Offspring could cling firmly to mother on all fours. Mother could move freely to find food or safety.
