Key Trends in Hominid evolution

1. Key Trends in Hominid evolution

2. Key physical trends Bipedalism is walking on two legs. First observed in Australopithecines Adaptations of the human body for bipedal locomotion and upright stance include: Skull - is smaller, with foramen magnum centrally located at its base, with flatter, less prognathic face and smaller jaws (less top heavy) Spine - is ‘S’-shaped - due to extra lumbar curve Pelvis – is broader and bowl shaped, with wide ileum for gluteal attachment. The wider hips give greater stability Legs - are longer, have a carrying angle at head of femur  legs angled to bring feet under body, have larger gluteal muscles and a larger, more rigid knee structure Feet – are less prehensile, have a larger heel, two arches instead of just one, the toes are parallel, and the first digit on foot is non-opposable and larger than the other toes

3. Key physical trends Changes in dentition Smaller teeth and jaw (as discussed above) associated with a change in diet (increase in meat) and changes in skull structures associated with bipedalism. Loss of prominent canine and diastema. Change in shape from ‘U’ (rectangular) to ‘’ (parabolic or horseshoe shaped) Changes in the brain cranial capacity (size) increases number of convolutions (complexity) also increases

4. Key cultural advances Tools - Appearance of tool use associated with the Australopithecines (similar to that seen in chimps) – rocks & sticks used to kill small animals or chase away scavengers, sharp rocks used to cut up scavenged carcasses. Then the manufacture of tools and increasing complexity of tools used: • pebble tools by Homo habilis, • core tools by Homo erectus, • flake tools by Neanderthals • blade tools by Cro-Magnon, includes ivory & antler • metal tools – modern man

5. Key cultural advances Fire - starting with Homo erectus. Shelter - Changes in sheltering patterns from hiding in trees (Australopithecines) to the use of caves, and the building of huts (Homo erectus, Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon). The appearance of clothing with Cro-Magnon (as opposed to wrappings/skins – eg Homo erectus, Neanderthals) as demonstrated by the finding of needles. Art - starting with Cro-Magnon Religion - as demonstrated by burial (starting with Neanderthals) and/or artwork (starting with Cro-Magnon)

6. Developments in food acquisition Changes in lifestyle from mainly herbivorous gatherers (early & robust Australopithecines) to omnivorous gatherer/scavenger (gracile Australopithecines, Homo habilis) to omnivorous hunter/gatherers (Homo erectus, Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon) and then to agriculturalist (modern man), with changes in number of individuals and complexity of groups found – the greater and more reliable the food supply, the larger and more complex the group can be.

7. Lifestyles Herbivorous gatherers - early & robust Australopithecines

8. Lifestyles Omnivorous gatherer/scavengers - gracile Australopithecines, Homo habilis

9. Lifestyles Omnivorous hunter/gatherers - Homo erectus, Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon

10. Lifestyles Omnivorous agriculturalists - (farming and the domestication of plants and animals) - modern man.