humans and their direct ancestors

Humans and the Environment  Paleoanthropology – the study of fossil humans  Hominid: humans and their direct ancestors  Multidisciplinary: experts from different scientific disciplines  They work together to figure out where we came from  Fossils: organic material is replaced by minerals from surrounding soil  Not everything is fossilized  Early hominids did not have big brains  Differentiated hominids from other primates by the presence of bipedalism  Was also reduction in face, jaw and anterior teeth Features of bipedalism  Formation of foramen magnum (hole in head)  If bipedal, hole is more towards the center  Spine has two distinctive curves (S-shaped)  Distribution of weight shifts when go from walking on all fours to two legs  Change in shape of pelvis  Lengths of lower limbs (longer legs)  Structure of femur and tibia (the way top of leg rests on bottom part of leg is different for bipedalism)  Big toe is in line with rest of foot not like a thumb (like in apes)  Arch in foot helps weight distribution and balance  Bipedalism idea 1: freed up hands so we could use tools (wrong)  Bipedalism idea 2: easier to transport food and offspring (wrong)  Bipedalism idea 3: able to transport food back to mate  Bipedalism idea 4: thermoregulation (endurance favoured over speed, moved more efficiently over long distances) Hominid Evolution  Australopithicines: exclusively found in Africa  Bipedal, small brains, large teeth  Australopithecus: could walk but could also live in trees cause toes were curved Zhoukoudian (China)  Archaic and Modern Homo Sapiens  Mixture of homo erectus and modern traits  Archaic have long low skull, smaller brow ridge,  Prognitism is something that diminishes over time  Over time face does not stick out as much  Has a lot to do with diet and chewing

Neanderthal  Huge  Homo sapiens did a lot of long range hunting  Neanderthals did that a lot  Larger appearance led us to think that Neanderthals were dumb savages  Were actually very cultured  Might have been able to speak because of very sophisticated tool kit  They looked the way they did because of the cold climate they lived in  Cranium reflects industrial use of teeth  Teeth were used as a tool  Mostly ate meat Different Models Summary  All models support the idea that our origins lie in Africa  A lot of debate around the timing and process  New DNA evidence suggests that we have a bit of Neanderthal DNA in us  New fossil discoveries permit revised/new interpretations Final                

Stops at p. 252 Two components: multiple choice and larger question Larger question can be addressed by an essay or can just answer using paragraphs Cumulative – look for repeating themes (20 points) Gender nutrition and illness (will encompass all) – look at themes that have all three Fact based not opinion 40 multiple choice questions Not cumulative From p. 166-252 Bonus – know what development anthropology and what the spread of culture change through contact is called 1 point each Mostly conceptual All material within first chapter is fair game (even boxes) Definitely know trends and larger date ranges so know when things start Most of questions deal with primitive traits Conceptual theories (theories around hominid evolution)