A5033024986- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- 3D Shape Modeling and Analysis
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Cocoa and Sweet Potato Agronomy
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Robotic Locomotion and Control
- Action Observation and Synchronization
Australian Research Council
2018-2025
National Museum of Natural History
2016-2025
Smithsonian Institution
2016-2025
Lakehead University
2016-2025
University of Wollongong
2018-2025
Arizona State University
2002-2018
Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute
2017
National Museum of American History
2016
National Institute of Anthropology and History
2016
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
2016
Homo naledi is a previously-unknown species of extinct hominin discovered within the Dinaledi Chamber Rising Star cave system, Cradle Humankind, South Africa. This characterized by body mass and stature similar to small-bodied human populations but small endocranial volume australopiths. Cranial morphology H. unique, most early including erectus, habilis or rudolfensis. While primitive, dentition generally simple in occlusal morphology. has humanlike manipulatory adaptations hand wrist. It...
Abstract Studies of infant feeding and weaning patterns in past populations that rely on a cross‐sectional approach must make the assumption no mortality bias exists. Previous investigations at Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, relied isotope data. In this study, we re‐examine pattern, using simulated longitudinal approach, which does not require any assumptions regarding potential biases. This involves examining dental isotopic signatures individuals who survived process. Stable from juveniles adults...
Whether the Late Pleistocene hominin fossils from Flores, Indonesia, represent a new species, Homo floresiensis, or pathological modern humans has been debated. Analysis of three wrist bones holotype specimen (LB1) shows that it retains morphology is primitive for African ape-human clade. In contrast, Neandertals and share derived forms during embryogenesis, which diminishes probability pathology could result in normal state. This evidence indicates LB1 not human with an undiagnosed growth...
The Rising Star cave system has produced abundant fossil hominin remains within the Dinaledi Chamber, representing a minimum of 15 individuals attributed to Homo naledi. Further exploration led discovery material, now comprising 131 specimens, second chamber, Lesedi Chamber. Chamber is far separated from system, and represents depositional context for remains. In each three collection areas diagnostic skeletal material allows clear attribution H. Both adult immature present. represent at...
Abstract A nearly complete right hand of an adult hominin was recovered from the Rising Star cave system, South Africa. Based on associated material, bones this are attributed to Homo naledi . This reveals a long, robust thumb and derived wrist morphology that is shared with Neandertals modern humans, considered adaptive for intensified manual manipulation. However, finger longer more curved than in most australopiths, indicating frequent use during life strong grasping locomotor climbing...
Significance A newly discovered metacarpal from Kaitio, Kenya, dates to 1.42 Mya and provides evidence for the evolution of modern human hand more than 600,000 y earlier previously documented. This bone displays a styloid process, which is part distinctively rearrangement wrist associated with enhanced function when making using tools. Prior this discovery, first anatomy was found only in post– Homo erectus archaic humans. new find documents its appearance much time suggests that an...
Much can be learned about the religious ideology and mortuary patterns as well demographic health profiles of a population from archaeological human fetal skeletons. Fetal skeletons are rare, however, largely due to poor preservation recovery, misidentification, or non-inclusion in general burial populations. We present an analysis 82 fetal/perinatal recovered Kellis 2, Roman Period cemetery dated third fourth centuries AD, located Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. Most remains were individually wrapped...
Abstract Comparisons of joint surface curvature at the base thumb have long been made to discern differences among living and fossil primates in functional capabilities hand. However, complex shape this makes it difficult quantify taxa. The purpose study is determine whether significant exist selected catarrhine genera compare these with hominin 1 fossils trapeziometacarpal curvature. Two 3D approaches are used curvatures trapezial metacarpal surfaces: (1) stereophotogrammetry nonuniform...
Liang Bua, the type site of Homo floresiensis, is a limestone cave on Indonesian island Flores with sedimentary deposits currently known to range in age from about 190 thousand years (ka) ago present. Recent revision stratigraphy and chronology this depositional sequence suggests that skeletal remains H. floresiensis are between ∼100 60 ka old, while cultural evidence taxon occurs until ∼50 ago. Here we examine compositions faunal communities stone artifacts, by broad taxonomic groups raw...
Abstract The hindlimb skeleton of the holotype (LB1) Homo floresiensis is relatively complete and includes both fibulae, which despite being well preserved have yet to be subject a quantitative comparative analysis with other hominids. A new distal fragment fibula has also been recovered from H. ‐bearing sediments at Liang Bua (Flores, Indonesia). In this study, we used 3D geometric morphometrics (3DGM) quantify detailed aspects external shape articular facet morphology proximal ends these...
The palaeocave site of Drimolen Main Quarry (DMQ) in Gauteng Province, South Africa, has produced fossil hominin material dating to 2.04–1.95 Ma, including craniodental remains attributed Paranthropus robustus and the earliest specimen Homo erectus sensu lato along with numerous postcrania uncertain taxonomic affiliation. Among this collection is a partial pelvis (DNH 43), which includes sacrum elements right os coxae. Although previously described as showing similarities Australopithecus...
Abstract Three‐dimensional (3D) trapezium models from Homo sapiens , Gorilla gorilla Pan troglodytes Australopithecus afarensis (A.L.333‐80), and habilis (O.H.7‐NNQ) were acquired through laser digitizing. Least‐square planes generated for each articular surface, the angles between compared. Each extant species displays an overall pattern that distinguishes it others. The observed in G. P. are more similar to one other than either is H. . Our results, obtained using new 3D modeling...
ABSTRACT Gorillas occupy a variety of habitats from the west coast to eastern central Africa. These differ considerably in altitude, which has pronounced effect on forest ecology. Although all gorillas are obligate terrestrial knuckle‐walking quadrupeds, those that live lowland eat fruits and climb more often than do living highland habitats. Here we test hypothesis gorilla talus morphology falls along morphocline tracks locomotor function related inverted or everted foot set. This proposed...
ABSTRACT Western gorillas ( Gorilla gorilla ) are known to climb significantly more often than eastern beringei ), a behavioral distinction attributable major differences in their respective habitats (i.e., highland vs. lowland). Genetic evidence suggests that the lineages leading these taxa began diverging from one another between approximately 1 and 3 million years ago. Thus, offer special opportunity examine degree which morphology of recently diverged may be “fine‐tuned” differing...
Significance A critical step in the evolutionary history leading to origins of humankind was adoption habitual bipedal locomotion by our hominin ancestors. We have identified novel bony shape variables forefoot across extant anthropoids and extinct hominins that are linked functionally emergence walking. Results indicate a consistent generalizable pattern pedal evolution spans from Ardipithecus early Homo —the relatively late derivation modern hallux comparison with lateral rays. These data...
Understanding the life history correlates of ontogenetic differences in hominoid brain growth requires information from multiple species. At present, however, data on how size changes over course development are only available chimpanzees and modern humans. In this study, we examined wild Virunga mountain gorillas using derived necropsy reports ( N = 34) endocranial volume (EV) measurements 86). The youngest individual our sample was a 10‐day‐old neonatal male with mass 208 g, representing...