A5025712170- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Ancient Egypt and Archaeology
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Shoulder Injury and Treatment
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Marine animal studies overview
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
- Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Sports injuries and prevention
- Ancient Near East History
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
- Action Observation and Synchronization
- Simone de Beauvoir and Sartre
- Archaeology and Historical Studies
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
Duke University
2015-2025
University of the Witwatersrand
2015-2025
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva
2015-2017
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
2017
National Institute of Anthropology and History
2016
Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina
2016
Northwestern University
2011
Centre For Cold Ocean Resources Engineering
2006
Lishman Health Foundation
2005
Duke University Hospital
1998-2003
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...
Despite a rich African Plio-Pleistocene hominin fossil record, the ancestry of Homo and its relation to earlier australopithecines remain unresolved. Here we report on two partial skeletons with an age 1.95 1.78 million years. The fossils were encased in cave deposits at Malapa site South Africa. found close together are directly associated craniodental remains. Together they represent new species Australopithecus that is probably descended from africanus. Combined postcranial evidence...
The analysis of humeral asymmetry in Recent human skeletal samples and an extant tennis-player sample documents minimal bone length, little distal articular breadth, but pronounced variable mid- diaphyseal cross-sectional geometric parameters. More specifically, normal modern Euroamericans, prehistoric early historic Amerindians, Japanese show moderate (ca. 5-14%) median areas polar second moments area, whereas the sample, with unilateral physical activity, exhibits asymmetries 28-57% same A...
The hand of Australopithecus sediba , a rare example in the hominid fossil record, shows short fingers and long thumb consistent with improved precision gripping while retaining strength for climbing.
The ethnographic and ethnohistoric literature on a global sample of 96 recent hunting peoples was surveyed to explore the relationships between weapons, prey body‐size, terrestrial techniques. Findings include: (1) an association use hand‐delivered spears, large‐bodied prey, techniques dependent physiographic features specific terrain types; (2) less dependence in with atlatl‐propelled darts, and; (3) bow arrow without regard size or features. also suggest that technologically aided...
Despite intensive study and a number of remarkable discoveries in the last two decades 20th century, our understanding cultural biological processes that resulted emergence Upper Paleolithic establishment modern humans Interpleniglacial Europe remains far from complete. There is active debate concerning timing location origins Aurignacian, nature Initial industries (whether by autochthonous development or through acculturation Aurignacian peoples), appearance early disappearance Neandertals,...
Newly exposed cave sediments at the Malapa site include a flowstone layer capping sedimentary unit containing Australopithecus sediba fossils. Uranium-lead dating of flowstone, combined with paleomagnetic and stratigraphic analysis underlying sediments, provides tightly constrained date 1.977 ± 0.002 million years ago (Ma) for these This refined suggests that Au. from predates earliest uncontested evidence Homo in Africa.
We describe the geological, geochronological, geomorphological, and faunal context of Malapa site fossils Australopithecus sediba. The hominins occur with a macrofauna assemblage that existed in Africa between 2.36 1.50 million years ago (Ma). are encased water-laid, clastic sediments were deposited along lower parts what is now deeply eroded cave system, immediately above flowstone layer U-Pb date 2.026 +/- 0.021 Ma. has reversed paleomagnetic signature overlying hominin-bearing normal...
Australopithecus sediba had a human-like ankle and arch but an ape-like heel tibia, implying that while bipedal, this species was also adept at climbing trees.
The past 200,000 years of human cultural evolution have witnessed the persistent establishment behaviors involving innovation, planning depth, and abstract symbolic thought, or what has been called “behavioral modernity.” Demographic models based on increased population density from late Pleistocene onward increasingly invoked to understand emergence behavioral modernity. However, high levels social tolerance, as seen among living humans, are a necessary prerequisite life at higher densities...
The discovery of a relatively complete Australopithecus sediba adult female skeleton permits detailed locomotor analysis in which joint systems can be integrated to form comprehensive picture gait kinematics this late australopith. Here we describe the lower limb anatomy Au. and hypothesize that species walked with fully extended leg an inverted foot during swing phase bipedal walking. Initial contact lateral ground resulted large pronatory torque around joints caused extreme medial weight...
The fossil record of the hominin pelvis reflects important evolutionary changes in locomotion and parturition. partial pelves two individuals Australopithecus sediba were reconstructed from previously reported finds new material. These remains share some features with australopiths, such as large biacetabular diameter, small sacral coxal joints, long pubic rami. specimens also derived Homo, including more vertically oriented sigmoid-shaped iliac blades, greater robusticity body, sinusoidal...
We describe the physical context of Dinaledi Chamber within Rising Star cave, South Africa, which contains fossils Homo naledi. Approximately 1550 specimens hominin remains have been recovered from at least 15 individuals, representing a small portion total fossil content. Macro-vertebrate are exclusively H. naledi, and occur clay-rich sediments derived in situ weathering, exogenous clay silt, entered chamber through fractures that prevented passage coarser-grained material. The was always...
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...
The evolution of the human upper limb involved a change in function from its use for both locomotion and prehension (as apes) to predominantly prehensile manipulative role. Well-preserved forelimb remains 1.98-million-year-old Australopithecus sediba Malapa, South Africa, contribute our understanding this evolutionary transition. Whereas other aspects their postcranial anatomy evince mosaic combinations primitive (australopith-like) derived ( Homo -like) features, limbs (excluding hand...
Abstract Modern humans are characterized by a highly specialized foot that reflects our obligate bipedalism. Our understanding of hominin evolution is, although, hindered paucity well-associated remains. Here we describe the Homo naledi from Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa, using 107 pedal elements, including one nearly-complete adult foot. The H. is predominantly modern human-like in morphology and inferred function, with an adducted hallux, elongated tarsus, derived ankle calcaneocuboid...
Abstract Airflow dynamics are recognized as being important to the functioning of human nose in conditioning and filtering inspired air, yet these poorly understood. Despite considerable research on airflow by otolaryngologists, respiratory physiologists, toxicologists, major disagreements remain about nature nose. Specifically, there is little consensus character nasal regimes (laminar or turbulent) pathways through internal chamber. Additionally, a number features have been argued enhance...
Two partial vertebral columns of Australopithecus sediba grant insight into aspects early hominin spinal mobility, lumbar curvature, formula, and transitional vertebra position. Au. likely possessed five non-rib-bearing vertebrae sacral elements, the same configuration that occurs modally in modern humans. This finding contrasts with other interpretations regional numbers. Importantly, is distinct from above last rib-bearing sediba, resulting a functionally longer lower back. configuration,...