Lecture 16 Flashcards
Genus Homo
Taxonomic group including humans and close ancestors, defined by larger brains (>600 cc), tool use, and reduced teeth.
Paranthropus differences to Australopithecus
5
- Enormous Molars (megadonity)
- Very large mandible
- Reorganization of skull to support massive chewing apparatus
- Flaring Zygomatics
- Prominent Supraorbital Torus
Paranthropus similarities to Australopithecus
2
- Small Brains
- Same Post Crania
Morphology of Paranthropus
9
- Wide, dish-shaped face
- Orthognathic
- Sagittal crest
- Postorbital constriction
- Huge molars
- Big, molariform premolars
- Tiny incisors and canines
- Thick enamel (not pictured)
- Fortified mandible
Megadonty
Enormously large molars relative to body size.
Sagittal Crest
Bony ridge on skull anchoring massive chewing muscles.
What is the orientiation of the sagittal crest in Paranthropus and in Australopithecus?
Paranthropus: Posterior
Australopithecus: Anterior
Flaring Zygomatics
Wide, flaring cheekbones for muscle attachment.
Orthognathic
Flat face (reduced prognathism).
Postorbital Constriction
Narrowing of the skull behind the eyes.
Australopith Diet
Termite/Ant Fishing, Underground Storage Organs, and/or Sedges (no meat)
Core
Parent rock from which flakes are struck.
Flake Scar
Sharp fragment removed from a core, used as a tool.
Point of Percussion
A mark left at a point where the core was struck
Bulb of Percussion
Bulge on a flake where force was applied.
Ripple Marks
Curved lines on flakes showing force propagation.
Platform
The flat spot where the rock was hit to break off the flake
Bone Surface Modifications (BSMs)
Marks on bones from tools or teeth.
Techno-organic Evolution
Tools replacing anatomical adaptations (e.g., flakes mimic carnivore teeth).
Carnivore Tooth Marks
U shaped, Shallow depth, Smooth internal surface
Hominin Stone Tool Marks
V shape, Deep depth, Striated internal surface
Precision Grip
Ability to hold objects between thumb and fingertips.
Power Grip
Clamping objects between fingers and palm.
Cerebral Rubicon
Hypothetical brain size threshold (~700–800 cc) to define Homo.
KNM-ER 1470
Early Homo fossil with large brain but primitive face.
KNM-ER 1813
Early Homo fossil with small brain but derived face.
Lomekwian Tools
Pre-Oldowan tools (3.3 Ma); less refined.
Archealogical Record
All the material remains and evidence of human life collected and studied by archealogists
Archealogical Site
A place where artifacts, fossils, or other remains are found in high concentration, showing repeated or significant use by past hominins or humans
Lump Hypothesis
Males with Australopith face and larger brain, females with more derived (H. erectus) small face but smaller brains
Split Hypothesis
Too Much Dimorphism
(Bernard Wood)
