Hominins VS Apes
All hominids share a common ancestor, an ape-like creature.
- from there hominins evolved
However, Differ by appearance, structure, and behaviour.
Hominins
These separate humans from other Homonids
TREND during HUMAN EVOLUTION: List Them
What was established in Early hominins?
BIPEDALSISM
Explain the TREND during HUMAN EVOLUTION: Cranial Capacity
GRADUAL INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE CRANIUM; houses a larger and MORE COMPLEX BRAIN
- SUBSEQUENT Fossil EVIDENCE confirmed a GRADUAL INCREASE IN CRANIAL CAPACITY as the HOMONIN SPECIES EVOLVED towards MODERN HUMANS.
DEFINE ENDOCAST
An Impression of the inside of the braincase, either artificial or natural, made of rock or some other solid material
ENDOCASTS HAVE BEEN USED TO CALCULATE THE CRANIAL CAPACITY OF FOSSILISED SKULLS
DEFINE CRANIAL CAPACITY
The volume of that part of the skull that is occupied by the brain.
Explain Australopithecines and Cranial Capacity
What happens when fragments of the fossilised skull are found?
Fragments of fossil skull = w/o endocast
EXAMPLE
Explain the TREND during HUMAN EVOLUTION: Cranial Capacity
***CONTINUED WITH CONVOLUTIONS + FRONTAL LOBE
Endocasts also REVEAL GRADUAL INCREASE IN CONVOLUTIONS IN THE BRAIN AND FRONTAL LOBE SIZE INCREASE
EXAMPLE
The gradual enlargement of the cranial portion of the skull to accommodate the increasing size of the frontal region of the brain.
This led to a reduction in prognathism and in the size of the brow ridge.
Explain the TREND during HUMAN EVOLUTION: DENTITION AND PROGNATHISM
another discernible evolutionary trend
EXAMPLE
TEETH were LARGE and there was a DISTINCT GAP BETWEEN the CANINES AND THE INCISORS
- ROWS OF TEETH PARALLEL RATHER THAN A CURVE
HOMO HABILIS
- MOLAR AND PREMOLAR teeth had become SMALLER AND NARROWER, but the CANINES were STILL PROMINENT
HOMO ERECTUS
- trend towards SMALLER MOLARS and a DECREASE in the ROBUSTNESS of the TEETH Continued
MODERN HUMANS
ANATOMICAL FEATURE
**SKULL***
CHARACTERISTICS MORE APE-LIKE = MORE PRIMITIVE
VS.
CHARACTERISTICS ORE HUMAN-LIKE = MORE MODERN
PRIMITIVE
MODERN
ANATOMICAL FEATURE
**MANDIBLE AND TEETH**
CHARACTERISTICS MORE APE-LIKE = MORE PRIMITIVE
VS.
CHARACTERISTICS ORE HUMAN-LIKE = MORE MODERN
PRIMITIVE
MODERN
ANATOMICAL FEATURE
**TORSO**
CHARACTERISTICS MORE APE-LIKE = MORE PRIMITIVE
VS.
CHARACTERISTICS ORE HUMAN-LIKE = MORE MODERN
PRIMITIVE
MODERN
ANATOMICAL FEATURE
**LOWER LIMBS*
CHARACTERISTICS MORE APE-LIKE = MORE PRIMITIVE
VS.
CHARACTERISTICS ORE HUMAN-LIKE = MORE MODERN
PRIMITIVE
MODERN
ANATOMICAL FEATURE
**UPPER LIMBS**
CHARACTERISTICS MORE APE-LIKE = MORE PRIMITIVE
VS.
CHARACTERISTICS ORE HUMAN-LIKE = MORE MODERN
PRIMITIVE
MODERN
List the ORDER OF HOMININ EVOLUTION
What is culture?
Cultural evolution and why?
Culture = anything that is learnt
eg. Activities such as stone tool making, hunting techniques, food preparation, using language and making art.
Cultural Evolution = Cultural development that occurs as a means of overcoming environmental and other challenges.
Cultural development occurs to overcome environmental challenges faced by humans.
What are latoli footprints?
Significance of Latoli footprints
Indicated Bipedalism locomotion
Understanding Australopithecus afarensis (11)
Understanding Australopithecus africanus (9)
Understanding Paranthropus robustus (7)
Understanding Homo Habilis (10)
Understanding Homo erectus (11)
7. Jaw Shorter and more compact jaw - Large, thick jaw o Chin beginning to form - But still no chin