Anthropology and Human Evolution

Vocabulary flashcards covering physical and cultural anthropology, famous primatologists and anthropologists, major hominin fossil discoveries, and evolutionary concepts.

Physical Anthropology

The branch of anthropology that studies humans as a biological species, focusing on evolution, genetics, fossils, human variation, primates, and human origins.

Paleoanthropology

A subfield of physical anthropology that studies fossil humans.

Primatology

A subfield of physical anthropology that studies primates, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans.

Forensic Anthropology

A subfield of physical anthropology focused on identifying human remains.

Cultural (Behavioural) Anthropology

The branch of anthropology that studies human culture and behaviour, focusing on traditions, beliefs, values, languages, social groups, and ethnocentrism.

Jane Goodall

A primatologist who studied chimpanzees in Tanzania, discovering that chimps make and use tools, hunt, cooperate, and demonstrate culture.

Dian Fossey

A primatologist who studied mountain gorillas, helped protect them from poachers, and increased understanding of gorilla behaviour.

Biruté Galdikas65rfdam

A primatologist who studied orangutans and learned about orangutan behaviour and conservation.

Chimp Culture

Evidence of learned and shared traditions across different chimpanzee groups, demonstrated by variations in tool use, hunting techniques, and grooming behaviours.

Charles Darwin

The scientist who developed the theory of Natural Selection, proposing that variation exists within species and the best-adapted individuals survive and reproduce.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

An early evolutionary thinker who proposed the concept of "Use and Disuse" and believed that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime are inherited by offspring.

The Leakeys

Famous fossil hunters in Africa who discovered critical fossil evidence concerning human evolution.

Donald Johanson

The anthropologist who discovered the fossil skeleton Lucy.

Raymond Dart

The anthropologist who discovered Taung Child, proving that early human ancestors lived in Africa.

Tim White

The anthropologist who discovered the hominin fossil Ardi.

Lucy

A fossil of Australopithecus afarensis that is about 3.2 million years old and provides key evidence of bipedalism.

Selam

A young Australopithecus afarensis fossil, sometimes referred to as "Lucy's Baby".

Ardi

An Ardipithecus ramidus fossil dating to about 4.4 million years old, representing one of the earliest known human ancestors.

Turkana Boy

A nearly complete Homo erectus skeleton that demonstrated modern body proportions.

Laetoli Footprints

Fossilized trackways dating to 3.6 million years old that proved early human ancestors walked upright.

Taung Child

An Australopithecus africanus fossil discovered by Raymond Dart that provided important evidence for African human origins.

Human Evolution Timeline

The chronological sequence of hominin ancestors: 1. Ardipithecus ramidus (Ardi), 2. Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy), 3. Australopithecus africanus (Taung Child), 4. Homo habilis, 5. Homo erectus (Turkana Boy), 6. Homo sapiens (modern humans).

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, providing advantages such as carrying objects, gaining a better view of surroundings, and energy efficiency.

Opposable Thumb

An anatomical trait where the thumb can touch the other fingers, providing advantages in gripping, tool use, and fine motor skills.