APY final
What is the evidence for tool use before the Oldowan?
A. afarensis & stone tool use before Oldowan In 2010, the discovery of cut marks made on animal bones in Ethiopia suggests lithic technology present by 3.4 mya In 2015, stone artefacts from 3.3 mya were discovered in association with hominin fossils in Kenya Called Lomekwian - predates other archaeological tool sites by 700,000 years. Are they in situ? Australopithecus garhi - possible meat eating with stone tools
Which one of the following is one of the candidates for a hominin ancestor that is transitional between A. afarensis and the early Homo?
A. africanus
Which of the following species is considered the direct ancestor of australopitchecus Afarensis, suggesting a likely ancestor - descendant relationship?
A. anamensis
In what ways do both the genetic and fossil evidence supports the Out of Africa with Assimilation model?
Across the human genome 83% to 97% of human variation is found within populations 3% and 17% is found between populations These results have been confirmed with studies of DNA markers, blood groups, and craniometric traits Africa tends to be more genetically diverse than other regions The older population, the more time it has to accumulate mutations
First True Primates - taxa & time & location
Adapoids & Omomyoids; 55 to 34 Ma; Europe, Africa, Asia, N. America
First True Primates skull and teeth + post crania
Adapoids - Long snout, smaller eye orbits (diurnal) with grooming claw Omomyoids - Short snout; giant eye orbits (nocturnal) with small post crania Both adapoids and omomyoids have true primate features
Anthropoids - taxa & time & location
Aegyptopithecus, Apidium, and maybe Eosimias 33 to 23 Ma; Africa, Asia, S. America;
Biostratigraphic (Faunal) Dating
Age of sites are assigned approximate age based on similarity of animal remains associated with particular time periods Requires absolute dating of index fossils beforehand Relative dating method that uses the associations of fossils in strata to determine each layer's approximate age
Plesiadapiforms - How are they similar to but different from true primates?
Early primate-like mammals Paleocene Epoch (65.5 - 55.8 ma)in North America, Europe, Asia Primate-like, but lack the full suite of key primate characteristics Traits 1. No postorbital bar or closure 2. Specialized dentition, and a large diastema: gap between front and cheek teeth 3. Claws, not nails 4. No stereoscopic vision 5. Smaller brains 6. Lack the auditory bulla (contains middle ear bones, present in all primates)
Which of the following accurately portrays the progression of developments in our lineage from oldest to newest development?
Bipedality, larger brain size, Acheulian tool, art and symbolism
Gracile Australopithecines (Australopithecus sediba) skull and teeth + post crania
Brain reorganization More human-like hand proportions Homo ancestor?
Fluorine Dating
Chemical dating method that compares the accumulation of fluorine in bones from the same site to determine their relative ages Fluorine dating method based on the accumulation of fluorine in a bone: the more time has passed, the more fluorine has accumulated
Who are the robust australopiths? Are they human ancestors?
Closely related, but not our ancestors Lived in Africa 2.5 - 1.2 mya, then became extinct Unique features: Sagittal crest Adaptations for heavy chewing: huge molars - large cheekbones - large face Australopithecus aethiopicus Brain Size: 410cc Huge Molars Thick Zygomatic Arch Sagittal Crest May be a descendent of A. Afarensis Australopithecus boisei Teeth Large back teeth compared to small front teeth Back teeth (premolars and molars) are 4 x larger than modern humans Skull Sagittal crest anchors chewing muscles on sides and top the skull Cheekbone anchors chewing muscles; Other chewing muscles run under the arch Chewing Muscles Two muscles are responsible for closing the jaw during chewing: temporalis muscles, masseter muscle Cheekbones Temporalis muscle runs from the jaw up under the zygomatic arch Larger the temporalis muscle, the more the zygomatic arch must flare out Australopithecus robustus Brain Size: 476cc ROBUST Face and Dentition Possible tool use
Homo neanderthalensis skull and teeth + post crania
Cranial capacity slightly higher than living humans; Brow ridge; Occipital bun; Large nasal region Biped; Short, stocky build compared to AMH; Muscle attachments indicate strength Mousterian tools; Cave burials; Survival of elderly and impaired indicates care; Language; Symbolism
Are humans still evolving?
DDT resistance in mosquitoes Antibiotic resistance in bacteria Humans Facial changes HIV resistance Skin coloration High-altitude adaptations Dietary changes
Gracile Australopithecines (Australopithecus africanus) skull and teeth + post crania
Descendant of A. afarensis; Homo ancestor?
Plesiadapiforms skull/teeth
Diastema; No post-orbital bar/closure; Small brain, no auditory bulla
At the same time, how has it lead to problems with human teeth and skeletal health?
Domesticated plants high in carbohydrates Bacteria produce lactic acid
What specific taxa do we consider likely ancestors to the Platyrrhines and catarrhines? What is the evidence for that interpretation (hint: dental formulas)?
Early Anthropoid: Apidium Possible ancestor to Platyrrhine Fayum Depression in N. Africa, 35 mya Fused mandible 2:1:3:3 / 2:1:3:3 dental formula Early Anthropoid: Aegyptopithecus Possible ancestor to Catarrhines Fayum Depression, 32-29 mya Sexually dimorphic canines and premolars 2:1:2:3 / 2:1:2:3 dental formula
How did the diet and foraging practices, including tool behavior, change with the emergence of Homo habilis?
Early Homo Diets Butchered Bones Oldowan Tools Meat in the Diet Flexible and versatile diet...capable of eating a broad range of foods
Why do we consider Ardipithecus a mosaic - i.e., how do the feet and pelvis suggest bipedalism as well as show evidence for climbing?
Feet shape Odd mosaic that worked for both upright walking and climbing Pelvis Pelvis wide like a biped With evidence of attachments for powerful climbing muscles
Earliest Hominins (Orrorin tugenensis) skull and teeth + post crania
Femur - long neck, obturator externus groove human-like
Victoriapithecus
First definitive cercopithecoids Across Africa, 19 mya Molars that are distinctively bilophodont two transverse lophs that connect the buccal and lingual cusps on the molars Cercopithecines and colobines present by 11 mya in Africa, then in Eurasia As apes dwindle, monkeys become more common
Ardi locomotion
Foot could have acted a lever but had divergent big toe Odd morphology worked for both upright walking and climbing Pelvis wide like a bi ped for both upright walking and climbing Attachments for powerful climbing muscles Not a knuckle walker
Earliest Hominins (Sahelanthropus tchadensis) skull and teeth + post crania
Foramen magnum anteriorly positioned
isotope
Forms of an element that have the same number of protons, but different numbers of neutrons
Anthropoids skull and teeth + post crania
Full post orbital closure; smaller eye orbits. Apidium is 2:1:3:3; Aegypto.is 2:1:2:3 Quadruped; Arboreal
What is the genus assigned to the largest primate that ever lived?
Gigantopithecus
Gracile Australopithecines (Australopithecus s garhi) skull and teeth + post crania
Large front and back teeth More human-like limb proportions Homo ancestor? Possible stone tool use
What changes throughout the body of Homo erectus are indicators of enhanced dietary flexibility/quality?
Larger body size in Homo in relation to Australopithecus reflects nutritional sufficiency resulting from a higherquality diet, which was likely linked to tool use and social cooperation MEAT EATING provides higher quality diet
Homo habilis skull and teeth + post crania
Larger brain than Australopiths; Reduction in size of face and teeth Biped Oldowan tools Meat scavenging
What is the Levallois technique? Why is it a milestone in technological efficiency?
Levallois Technique emerges 300,000 years ago Method of making stone tools in which a stone core is prepared in such a way that finished tools can be removed from it by a final blow aka the "prepared-core method" Advantages: Produces sharp and efficient tools Single core can be used to produce multiple tools
Who are the gracile australopiths? In general, how do you characterize their brains, locomotion, teeth?
Lived in Africa 4 to 2 Mya Characteristics Bipedal, with ability to climb Large molars and premolars Small brains Australopithecus anamensis Bipedal Large, nonhoning canines Teeth Primitive, ape-like characteristics in the teeth Canines are fairly large Back teeth are in parallel rows, unlike the more parabolic shape of human jaw Morphological features and timing Possibly the direct descendent of a species of Ardipithecus Direct ancestor of Australopithecus afarensis (single evolving species?) Or, were the earlier hominins directly ancestral to Australopithecus? Australopithecus afarensis Bipedal, but still also arboreal Intermediate canines, big molars Brain Size: 433cc Sexual dimorphism Australopithecus afarensis - teeth Dental features are transitional from ape-like to human-like Intermediate, nonhoning canines Relatively big molars & Curved tooth row Bipedal locomotion, brain size bigger than chimp "Lucy" (LUCY SKELETON Australopithecus afarensis 1974. Ethiopia) Fossil is about 3.2 million years old - Adult female of about 25 years She was 3'6" tall and weighed about 62 lbs About 40% of her skeleton was found Her pelvis, femur and tibia show her to have been bipedal Which of the gracile australopiths are candidate "transitional" taxa between earlier australopiths and the genus Homo? What features make each of them plausible for this? Australopithecus garhi Right place, right time ...ancestor to Homo? Homo in East Africa at 2.5 Ma More human-like limb proportions Brain Size: 450cc Large molars Meat eating with stone tools? Australopithecus africanus Bipedal (have skull, pelvis, femur, foot bones) Brain Size: 451cc Big molars, small canines Postcrania similar to A. afarensis Descendant of A. afarensis and ancestor of the genus Homo? Other scientists suggest it is another extinct branch of hominin evolution Lived in South Africa, whereas earliest Homo is in East Africa Did A. africanus evolve into A. robustus (robust Australopith)?
chronometric
Method of estimating the specific date of fossils Provides exact date unlike relative dating
How do the Multiregional model, Out of Africa with Replacement, and Out of Africa with Assimilation models differ?
Multi regional Proposes that modern humans emerged more or less simultaneously in major regions of the Old World from local archaic humans Out of Africa with Replacement African Replacement Model suggests that when modern humans began migrating around the world, they replaced preexisting human populations Assimilation The transition to modern anatomy took place in Africa, and these changes spread to other populations through gene flow
Why do we think that Heidelbergensis and Neandertals (you can consider the evidence for Heidelbergensis to be the same as that for Neandertals, in this case) had language?
Neanderthal hyoid no different than modern humans Forkhead box protein P2 - "FOXP2" is a protein encoded by a gene on human chromosome 7. Neandertals and modern humans FOXP2 gene is identical
Plesiadapiforms - What are three cranio dental traits that are key characteristics of the group that differentiate them from true primates?
No postorbital closure Specialized dentition; large diastema Do not have stereoscopic vision
non honing chewing
Non-honing chewing (in hominin) Smaller, apically wearing canines Hominins have thicker enamel compared to apes Teeth adapted for Grinding function
Steno's law of superposition:
Older remains are found deeper in the earth because of cumulative build up on the earth's surface over time old layers on the bottom; young layers on the top
What is Oldowan technology?
Oldowan tradition is the oldest definitive known stone tool technology, dating back to at least 2.6 Mya Chopping tools capable of cutting animal flesh Made from flint, obsidian, quartz
Robust Australopithecines skull and teeth + post crania
Sagittal crest; thick, protruding zygomatic arches; HUGE molars (especially in Boisei) Bipedal, with ability to climb NOT ancestors of Homo Possible bone tool use for termites or tubers in A. robustus AKA "Paranthropus"
Earliest Hominins - taxa & time & location
Sahelanthropus tchadensis (7-6), Orrorin tugenensis (6), Ardipithecus ramidus (4) Africa
One of the earliest hominins, with an enormous brow ridge, found in Chad. What is my genus and species? Evidence for bipedalism?
Saheleanthropus Tchadensis Foramen magnum equipped for bipedalism
Who is Homo floresiensis? Why might they have been so small?
Small stature! 3.5' tall 32 kg Brain Size: 417 cc Postcrania: Mix of Homo and Australopithecus features Stone Tools: Similar to H. erectus, but no handaxes Found in Indonesia 94,000 - 50,000 yrs ago
Earliest Hominins (Ardipithecus ramidus) skull and teeth + post crania
Small, non-honing canines Foot-divergent big toe but lever-like; pelvis wide but likely could climb
Eosimias
There are some fossils from the Eocene that are argued to be basal anthropoids: possible anthropoid ancestors or first anthropoids Eosimias sinensis "Dawn Monkey of China", 45-50 ma Anthropoid-like tarsus, premolars Would suggest that anthropoids evolved in Asia
Sahelanthropus tchadensis
This hominin was likely bipedal, and did not show a high degree of male-male competition Fruit based diet Little male to male aggression Mosaic of primitive and derived traits VERY small brain - Deformed fossil - Massive brow ridge anteriorly placed foramen magnum Orrorin tugenensis - indicated by femora Head of the femur inserts into the pelvis; shape and thickness of the femoral head and neck suggest bipedalism Ardipithecus kadabba - indicated by feet, pelvis Odd mosaic that worked for both upright walking and climbing Could act as a lever, but also had a divergent big toe Pelvis wide like a biped With evidence of attachments for powerful climbing muscles
Did agriculture develop in one place or multiple?
Transition from hunter-gatherer to agriculturalists occurred in past 12,000 yrs Archaeological record shows humans being increasingly sedentary before agriculture
Gracile Australopithecines (Australopithecus anamensis) skull and teeth + post crania
Transition taxon to later hominins
Homo floresiensis skull and teeth + post crania
Very small brain; Dental features Homo-like Biped; Very small height Dwarfed H. erectus? Tools but no handaxes
Which of the following primates lived in Africa 15 mya, had bilophodont molars and a frugivorous diet and some adaptations for terrestrial quadrupedalism?
Victoriapitchecus
Homo floresiensis is interpreted as a dwarf species of which hominin?
homo erectus
How is the shape of the tooth row in modern humans different than that of earlier apes and hominins?
parabolic
taphonomy
study of the deposition of plant or animal remains and the environmental conditions affecting their preservation
Compared to primates, ancient plesiadapiforms were more likely to have:
toothless gap between front and back teeth
Anatomically Modern Humans - taxa & time & location
Homo sapiens; global; 2/300 Ka - present
Radiocarbon/Carbon - 14 Dating
-Carbon is produced in atmosphere and taken in by plants during photosynthesis -Plants are eaten by animals -Animal dies and stops intaking carbon (C) C-14 in animal's body decays into nitrogen at a predictable, --constant rate -C-12 does not decay... -Method based on halflife of C-14 that determines the ratio of C-14 to C-12 in order to provide an absolute date of organic remains; useful for dating over the past 50,000-60,000 years
radiopotassium dating
-Ratio of potassium-40 to argon-40 is measured to provide an absolute date; works best with samples older than 200,000 years because its half life is 1.3 billion years! -Radioactive potassium isotopes in igneous (volcanic) rock decay into argon gas, enabling geologists to determine the absolute age of volcanic rocks. More argon gas = older the fossil Not directly dating the fossil, but its relationship to different levels of volcanic ash
How did this change life history in Homo?
1. Reduced mortality, as a result of lower predation and disease 2. Earlier weaning made possible by cooked foods being softer, more easily digestible, and less pathogen-bearing than raw foods 3. Shorter interbirth intervals due to energetic advantages of a cooked diet
Roughly when did humans migrate to the Americas?
15ty
I belong to an early hominid species that exemplifies the concept of an evolutionary mosaic. One of my most compelling features is the morphology of my foot, as it combines both primitive and derived features that suggest a unique form of bipedalism different of that of later hominins. Due to the volcanic ash layers directly above and below my skeleton, i could be dated quite precisely.
4.4mya - Ardipthiceus Ramidus
Plesiadapiforms - time and location
66 to 56 Ma; Europe, Asia, N. America
What technological and cultural advances do AMH show?
Anatomically modern human" (AMH), Homo sapiens refers to fossils that are the same as we are today AMHs first appeared approx. 200,000 years ago in Africa The Omo fossils may be the earliest representatives of Homo sapiens What makes human cognition unique? the ability to learn through other persons and their artifacts the ability to collaborate with others Increased tolerance and sociality enables us to transmit information between individuals Culture allows humans to exploit a wide range of environments Niche Construction process of organism-driven environmental modification Cultural niche construction can modify selection on genes and drive evolutionary events Modern Human Technology Blade technology, and diversity of other tool materials (bone, wood, etc.) blade = stone tool that is twice as long as it is wide Composite tools: multiple tools combined into one Atlatl is a spear-thrower that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart-throwing Burin = stone tool with sharp edge used to cut and engrave bone Clothing and Shelter Evidence for clothing manufacture 80,000 to 70,000 yrs ago Archeological evidence shows evidence of manufactured shelter Huts of wood, animal bone/hides 18,000 yr old site in Russia 15,000 yr old site from the Ukraine Shelter Interior was framed with large animal bones and wood, which was covered by animal hides Reconstructions of early human shelters which used mammoth bones as structural supports Jewelry Earliest evidence of adornment 100,000 to 135,000 years ago Emergence of Symbolism: Statues Several different forms of statues, most of animals Venus figurines found throughout Europe Cave Art Cave art dates back to more than 30,000 years ago in Europe, Africa, and Australia
Why do we consider Australopithecus sediba a mosaic? Specifically, how do the features of the brain, hand, and limb proportions look both similar to and different from Homo?
Ape-like characteristics of Australopithecus sediba: tiny brain & long arms (body proportions) Ape-like foot Human-like characteristics: Short fingers and long thumb Brain that is beginning to reorganize like a human Smaller teeth
The anthropoid primate was found in the Fayum Depressions and dated to approximately 35 million years ago. What is the dental formula for this primate? Based on this dental formula and other features, what extant (living) primate group is it considered a possible ancestor of?
Apidum 2:1:3:3 / 2:1:3:3 Platyrrhines
What is the significance of Homo heidelbergensis as concerns the ancestor of Neandertals and AMH?
Archaic humans Two major groups: H. heidelbergensis & H. neanderthalensis, the Neandertals H. heidelbergensis Found in Europe, Asia & Africa Brain Size: 1206 cc Postcrania: Similar to modern humans Tall, powerfully built Levallois tool tradition Culture: Hunting, Fire STRONG EVIDENCE for HUNTING Butchered horses and other animals Spears Levallois Tools Controlled Fire and Cooking Strong evidence of H. heidelbergensis having first access to meat Entire carcasses were brought into caves for butchering Cut marks also show that humans cut bones before animal bite mark Some human bones with cut marks indicating removal of flesh; evidence for Cannibalism
What are the selective pressures that account for the evolution of (differences in) human skin color?
As dark-skinned human populations moved away from the equator, the risk for vitamin D deficiency increased because their skin blocked UV radiation, which was now in shorter supply Selection favored change toward lighter skin in such environments
List an australopithecine that has been associated with tools
Aust. robustus
Gracile Australopithecines - taxa & time & location
Australopithecus -anamensis -afarensis "Lucy" -africanus -garhi -sediba 4-2ma; Africa
Robust Australopithecines - taxa & time & location
Australopithecus -aethiopicus -robustus -boisei 2.5-1 ma; Africa
hominin features
Bipedal Dental changes (e.g. to canines) Big brain Stone tools Hunting Fire Language / Art / Culture Living in all ecozones
Soft hammer technique first by
H. Heid
What technology emerges with Homo erectus?
H. erectus invents the Acheulian Tradition Emerges 1.5 Mya Bifacial tools, like hand axes: symmetrical, flatter and sharper than Oldowan tools Soft hammer technique method of removing flakes from a stone core by striking it with a softer material such as bone, antler or wood Different tool types more sophisticated tool behavior
How does the brain and body of Homo erectus differ from Homo habilis?
H. erectus was taller than Australopiths and H. habilis Body were proportions similar to modern humans Long-distance walking, endurance running: spring-like tendons in legs, well-developed arch, long stride length Insight from "Nariokotome Boy"
Acheulean technology
Handaxe by H. erectus
Early Homo - taxa & time & location
Homo -habilis, (incl. rudolfensis) (2.5-1.8 ma) (Africa) -erectus (inclu. ergaster) (1.9ma-27ka) (Africa, Asia, Europe) -floresiensis (94-50ka) (indonesia)
What are the key features of the cranium (particularly #s 1,2, and 5 on slide 41). What is postorbital constriction? Why is it significant? Do AMH have it?
Homo Erectus Skull Long, low cranium Big brow ridges (large ridge of bone above the eye orbits) Transverse torus For Neck Muscle Attachment Protruding face Post orbital constriction Narrowness of the skull behind the eye orbits, characteristic of early hominids and Homo erectus: suggests less frontal and temporal lobe development relative to modern humans
List two ways that this hominin genus differed from earlier australopithecines
Homo habilis has bigger brain Habilis has smaller teeth and jaw
Archaic Humans - taxa & time & location
Homo heidelbergensis (Africa, Asia, Europe) (800-200 ka) Home neanderthalensis (Europe, Middle East) (130-28ka)
How does the evolution of lactase persistence in select populations illustrate the interaction of biology and culture in human evolution?
Human infants receive nourishment from their mothers' milk Infants produce lactase until age 5 LCT*R (recessive) causes lactase to stop being produced after few years LCT*P (dominant) causes lactase to continue being produced Ability to continue being able to digest milk throughout your life is advantageous: nutrition, source of water Lactose Intolerance = condition resulting from ingestion of milk Symptoms: diarrhea, cramps, other intestinal problems Natural selection has favored lactase persistence in association with dairy farming in two different parts of the world, Europe and Africa
define hominin
Humans and their ancestors and close relatives since the divergence from the common ancestor with chimps and bonobos
How does the Hygiene Hypothesis explain the current prevalence of allergies in children?
Hygiene hypothesis Exposure to germs may help immune development Increase in allergies Hypersensitive immune systems Increased exposure to allergens in polluted environments
What has Nariokotome Boy taught us about Homo erectus?
Insights about locomotion H. erectus was taller than Australopiths and H. habilis Body were proportions similar to modern humans Long-distance walking, endurance running: spring-like tendons in legs, well-developed arch, long stride length
Gracile Australopithecines (Australopithecus afarensis "Lucy") skull and teeth + post crania
Intermediate, nonhoning canines Pelvis, femur, tibia all show bipedalism Possible stone tool use
How do the robust australopiths differ from the gracile australopiths?
Large back teeth compared to small front teeth Back teeth (premolars and molars) are 4 x larger than modern humans Sagittal crest Adaptations for heavy chewing: huge molars - large cheekbones - large face
Homo heidelbergensis skull and teeth + post crania
Large brain (10% less than living humans); Brow ridge Biped; Tall, powerful build Stone tools w/ Levallois technique; Shelter; Language
Homo erectus skull and teeth + post crania
Large brain size; Post-orbital constriction; Brow ridge; Projecting face Biped; Taller & w/ more humanlike limb proportions First hominin to leave Africa; Acheulian tools; Control of fire, cooking; Long-distance travel
The Leakeys, Kamoya Kimeu - why are they important?
Olduvai Gorge is a 30 mile long, steep-sided ravine in the Great Rift Valley - eastern Serengeti Plains, Africa. Critical site of hominin fossil discovery, established by Louis and Mary Leakey At Olduvai, Louis and Mary Leakey had found oldest stone tools at the time In 1960, they found a jaw, cranial fragments and several postcranial bones announced new species in 1964 "Handy Man": discovered with tool and hands appear well adapted for tool use Kamoya Kimeu Kimeu found a Homo habilis skull known as KNM-ER 1813, an almost complete Homo erectus skeleton named KNM-WT 15000 or Turkana Boy (also known as Nariokotome boy), and in 1964 the jaw of a Paranthropus boisei skull known as the Peninj Mandible.
Which one of the following is one of the earliest possible hominins for which the characteristics of the femore provide evidence for bipedalism?
Orrorin tugenensis
What might A. boisei have been eating?
Paranthropus boisei estimated to derive 75%-80% of their diet from low-quality foods like grasses, sedges Similar to baboon teeth
Stratigraphic Correlation
Process of matching up strata from several sites through the analysis of chemical, physical and other properties Example: Volcanic eruption produces ash with a highly specific chemical signature that may be spread over a large area
Miocene Apes - taxa & time & location
Proconsul, Sivapithecus, Gigantopithecus 22 to 5 Ma; Africa, Asia, Europe;
Adapoids and Omomyoid - Why are they significant? What modern groups is each group considered potentially ancestral to, and what key traits lead to that interpretation?
Prosimians, Adapoids and Omomyoids, are the first true primates Adapoids Could be ancestral to lemurs and lorises (Strepsirhines) Diurnal Body mass 50 g -10 kg Frugivorous and/or folivorous Long snout Lemur-like Grooming claw Omomyoids Could be ancestral to anthropoids & tarsiers (Haplorhines) Nocturnal Body mass 28 g- 3 kg (smaller) Insectivorous and/or frugivorous Short snout Tarsier-like - even have fused tibia/fibula Enormous orbits ***It is debated which - if either- of these groups is actually the ancestor to anthropoids
Plesiadapiforms postcrania
Quadruped; claws
cultural dating
Relative dating methods that are based on material remains' known time spans
Who are the Neandertals? Where did they live? In general, how would you characterize their brains and bodies?
WHERE: Europe, Middle East HOW OLD? 130-28 tya KEY FEATURES: Brain Size: 1450 cc - super large Large occipital bun Large brow ridge Postcrania: Cold-adapted, Powerful Shorter, esp. limbs Wider Pelvis Powerfully Built Cold adapted Stockier bodies Large nasal aperture (heat the air) Large infraorbital foramina (blood flow to face) Stone Tools: Mousterian Tradition Hunting Fire Language Survival of Elderly and Impaired More projecting face
Homo sapiens skull and teeth + post crania
Well-rounded skull; Noticeable chin Biped; more gracile than Neandertals Composite tools; Built shelter; Language; art, symbolism; Domestication and agriculture
Miocene Apes skull and teeth + post crania
Y-5 molars, small orbits Medium to large body; No tail; Earliest apes have more monkey-like bodies
Relative Dating
a comparative, not an absolute method, of asking, which specimen is older?
