ANT 102 1st Edition Lecture 19Outline of Last Lecture I. Australopiths (Southern Apes)II. Gracile vs. robustIII. MorphologyOutline of Current Lecture I. Human originsII. LucyIII. Earliest HomoCurrent LectureTrends in human evolutionIncreased brain sizeMore efficient bipeds/less efficient arborealsDecreased sexual dimorphismSmaller caninesGracile cranial morphologyDarwin part II1871: The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to SexProclaimed his theory of human evolution and origins—humans evolved from animalsTheorized that the earliest human ancestor evolved in AfricaDespite the overall controversy, his hypothesis was initially ignoredThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Early research into human origins:Reseachers were convinced larger brains were the first major human characteristic; they were also convinced that humans originated in Asia or EuropePiltdown Man: early 19th century Gibraltar, EnglandHad the characteristics we were looking for: large brain, ape-like jaw Became the central focus for human evolution for the early 20th centuryRaymond Dart: finds the Taung child in Southern Africa, which is the exact opposite of the Piltdown Man (chimp-like brain)One problem with Piltdown Man: it was a fakeParts of human skullParts of orangutan jawChimpanzee teethFabricated plastic partsWhy was the hoax believed?Lack of scientific knowledgeWeathering of teeth didn’t match upRacismThe origin of the genus HomoPrecision grip (opposable thumb) is actually a part of other species, tooSame with language usage, tool useOldowan tool use (before the first homo): purposely using one rock to sharpen another into a point (traditionally used as a scavenging tool, not hunting), used for cutting meat,scraping wood and grass stems, etc. Earliest homoExtended the range of the genus homo to include the brain size of 600 c.c.Mostly juveniles or fragmentsTool useControversy: two skull specimens that come from the same site, but look very differentKNM-ER 1813 (small one)Gracile platate, moderate brow ridge, associated with Oldowan tools, orthognaticKNM-ER 1470Robust palate, no brow ridge, associated with postcrania and Oldowan tools, maybe orthognatic?Does this mean one or two species?Why it’s probably not sexual dimorphism:The features aren’t all consistently larger or smallerOnly one has a brow ridge (they should both have