A5045308689- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation
- Medical and Biological Sciences
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
University of Cape Town
2023-2025
National Heritage Council
2025
National Museum
2018-2025
University of the Witwatersrand
2016-2017
Institut de Biologia Evolutiva
2017
In this article, we discuss South African heritage management, and how it has shaped the role institutions play in protecting 100 years ago versus today. Museums universities are a difficult position as they address past unethical archaeology palaeoanthropology practices while implementing transformation decolonisation approaches to protect share inclusively. We outline some of complexities that museums, universities, bodies face navigating human evolution research, site material access,...
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...
The hominin mandible SK 15 was discovered in April 1949 Swartkrans Member 2, dated to ∼1.4 Ma. Albeit distorted on the right side, left and corpus of are relatively low thick, even compared most Early Middle Pleistocene Homo specimens. It preserves molar row M2 M3 that show a distalward increase mesiodistal diameter. originally attributed Telanthropus capensis but is now generally erectus/Homo ergaster, if it previously suggested possibly belong Australopithecus. Similarities between naledi...
The origins of Homo , as well the diversity and biogeographic distribution early species, remain critical outstanding issues in paleoanthropology. Debates about recognition first appearance dates, taxonomic within are particularly important for determining role that southern African taxa may have played genus. correct identification remains also has implications reconstructing phylogenetic relationships between species Australopithecus Paranthropus links erectus . We use microcomputed...
The evolutionary relationships among extinct African hominin taxa are highly debated and largely unresolved, due in part to a lack of molecular data. Even within taxa, it is not always clear, based on morphology alone, whether ranges variation sexual dimorphism versus potentially undescribed taxonomic diversity. For Paranthropus robustus , Pleistocene found only South Africa, both phylogenetic other 1,2 the nature intraspecific 3–6 still disputed. Here we report mass spectrometric (MS)...
The frontal sinuses are cavities inside the bone located at junction between face and cranial vault close to brain. Despite a long history of study, understanding their origin variation through evolution is limited. This work compares most hominin species' holotypes other key individuals with extant hominids. It provides unique valuable perspective in position, shape, dimensions based on simple reproducible methodology. We also observed covariation size shape underlying lobes species from...
Third permanent molars (M3s) are the last tooth to form but have not been used estimate age at dental maturation in early fossil hominins because direct histological evidence for timing of their growth has lacking. We investigated an isolated maxillary M3 (SK 835) from 1.5 1.8-million-year-old (Mya) site Swartkrans, South Africa, attributed Paranthropus robustus. Tissue proportions this specimen were assessed using 3D X-ray micro-tomography. Thin ground sections image daily increments enamel...
Abstract Objectives The Pleistocene taxon Paranthropus robustus was established in 1938 following the discovery at Kromdraai B, South Africa, of partial cranium TM 1517a and associated mandible 1517b. Shortly thereafter, a distal humerus (TM 1517g), proximal ulna 1517e), hallucial phalanx 1517k) were collected nearby site, considered to be with holotype. 1517a‐b represents an immature individual; however, no analysis potentially postcranial elements has investigated presence any...
Australopithecus africanus and sexual dimorphism Page 2 of 4 data for BL MD diameters shown in Figure 1 counter the statement by Grine et al. 11 that 'there is no evidence to contradict assertion' Sts 5 represents a female individual.
First ribs – the first or most superior in thorax are rare hominin fossil record, and when found, have potential to provide information regarding upper shape of extinct hominins. Here, we describe a partial rib from Member 4 Sterkfontein Caves, South Africa. The shaft is broken away, so only head neck preserved. small, falling closest small-bodied Australopithecus (AL 288-1 MH1). Given that it was recovered near StW 318 femur excavation, which also represents small individual, suggest two...
Abstract Objectives Studying rib torsion is crucial for understanding the evolution of hominid ribcage. Interestingly, there are variables cross section that could be associated with and, consequently, morphology thorax. The aim this research to conduct a comparative study shape and mineralized tissues in different hominids test significant differences if possible, associate them thoracic morphotypes. Materials Methods sample consists sections at midshaft taken from 10 Homo sapiens Pan...
Abstract Introduction From an evolutionary perspective, the ribcage has changed substantially in subfamily Homininae. Among many other features, amount of mineralized tissues rib cross‐section at midshaft could be informative about potential biomechanical changes during Homininae evolution. These would related to different loading stresses that each costal level deal with. Nevertheless, this knowledge remains hypothetical and never been properly addressed. Materials Methods This issue was...