Early hominins Lecture 3s Flashcards
What kind of tools are associated with Australopithecus garhi?
Oldowan stone tools
The earliest Oldowan stone tools were found near Au. garhi in Gona, Ehtiopia 2.6mya
Also, bones were found indicating that large mammals had been defleshed and disarticulated.
Which are the oldest stone tools?
Lomekwian tools, found at Lomekwi, Kenya 3.3 mya
These tools could represent a stage between a hypothetical pounding orientated stone tool used by earlier hominins and the flaking-orientated knapping behaviour of later Oldowan toolmakers.
What is the type specimen of Australopithecus africanus?
Taung child.
Infant cranium with natural brain endocast preserved.
Who recognised Australopithecus africanus as a hominin?
Raymond Dart, 1924
However, it took a while for his discovery to be accepted due to Piltdown
Which hominin was the earliest outside East Africa?
Australopithecus africanus
3-2.4mya
Describe the dentition of Australopithecus africanus.
1) Incisors and canines smaller than Pr. afarensis
2) Molars larger
This reflects shift away from slicing towards crushing and grinding
3) Thicker enamel
4) Teeth still very worn in older individuals
Which is the most complete Australopithecus to date and what might it tell us?
Australopithecus prometheus.
Papers still to come!
Still have questions regarding divergent hallux, species attribution and date
Explain the 3 stages in hand evolution.
1) Retention of arboreal characteristics
2) Combination of primitive arboreal traits with traits for improved manipulation
3) Modern hand committed to stone tool production
What is paranthropus?
“robust” australopithecus but try not to say robust because that is old fashioned!
Describe the genus parananthropus
1) East and South Africa
2) Bipedal
3) Chewing specialisations: massive jaws, huge crushing
4) Process large quantities of low quality foods
5) Drier, more open, more seasonal environment than Pr. afarensis or A. africanus
Describe Pa. aethiopicus
KNM WT17000
1) 2.6mya, Kenya
2) 400cm3
3) Large cheek teeth and large front teeth
4) Retains prognathism
5) Large sagittal crest
Describe Paranthropus boisei.
1) Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania, 2.3-1.2mya
2) 500cm3 brain size
3) More orthognathic face
4) Facial buttressing
5) Flaring cheekbones
6) Molars extremely large, front teeth small and crowded
Explain how Paranthropus is adapted to mastication?
1) Tall maxilla and tall ramus increase force of mastication on premolars and molars.
2) Wide zygomatic arches to allow for more space for masticatory muscles
3) Sagittal crest also suggests powerful masticatory muscles
How can we gain information on australopithecines diversity and diet?
1) Leaves and fibrous plants leave fine parallel scratches
2) Grass with phytoliths leave scratches and tiny pits in teeth
3) . Dug-up roots leave pits of variable size depending on the type of grit adhering to them
4) Meat leave a polished surface
Why might anatomy not reflect foods eaten?
Gorillas adapted to eat fibrous leaves, but eat fruit when available.
Similar morphology in Para. robustus and Para. boisei but have a different diet –> hard fall-back food in robustus and tough grasses in boisei, so maybe similar adaptation or inherited from common ancestor.
