Anthropology 101L Hominid Flashcards

What falls under the ‘Hominid’ label

Humans and Apes

what 2 labels were given to Australopithecus based on their skull features?

Gracile & Robust

What features define a gracile Australopithecus?

A slender or more refined set of features in the skull

What features define a robust Australopithecus?

Very pronounced features in the skull that are meant for a hard food diet.

What Australopithecines are categorized as gracile?

A. Afarensis

A. Platyops

A. Africanus

List the first two defining characteristics of a G.A.

Small Brain

Lots of Post Orbital Constriction

List the last two most defining and reliable characteristics of a G.A.

Pronounced Prognathism

Pronounced to moderate brow ridge

What do the Gracile A. NOT have?

A sagittal nor nuchal crest

What Australopithecines are categorized as robust?

A. Boisei

A. robustus

A. aethiopicus

List the first three defining characteristics of a robust A.

Megadontal molars/premolars

Sagittal Crest

Large flared Zygomatic bones'

List the last 2 defining characteristics of a robust A.

Heavy pronounced brow ridge

Slight nuchal crest

What are all the aforementioned features indicative of?

A large chewing apparatus

All hominids past this mark fall into the…..

Genus Homo

List the 3 identifiable characteristics of the H. Habilis

Small brain

pronounced post orbital constriction

moderate prognathism

What is one surefire way to tell the difference between the H. Habilis and the Gracile Australopithecines?

Check their mandible, the H. Habilis has a smaller mandible because of their increase in material culture, while G. A. have a bigger mandible because of their more raw diet

List the first three notable characteristics of the H. Erectus

Sagittal Keel (Bony ridge along sagittal suture)

Widest part of skull @ base

Pentagon shapped occipital bone

List the last three notable characteristics of the H. Erectus

Single arched brow ridge

Reduced 3rd molar (only on mandible)

Horseshoe shaped dental arcade

What do the first 3 notable characteristics of H. Erectus have in common?

They are all highly diagnostic of the species

What is best to be remembered about the final 2 characteristics of the H. Erectus?

They are both dental characteristics, and should not be referred to unless specifically asked for (use these only when dental features are specifically asked for)

What are the first 3 characteristics of the H. neanderthalensis?

Low & Long brain case

Occipital bun

Pronounced Brow Ridge

What are the last 3 characteristics of the H. Neanderthalensis?

Slight forehead

Receding Zygomatic bones

Wide nasal aperture

What is notable of the features of the H. Neanderthalensis

All features are highly specialized for cold climates

What are the first 3 features of the H. Sapiens?

Large rounded brains

Forehead

Chin

What are the last 3 features of the H. Sapiens?

Moderate to slight brow ridge

Occipital shelf (archaic only)

Tall, round vertical braincase

How does the Os Coxa indicate bipedalism?

Depending on its shape, like a bowl-shape, it can indicate that it is shaped with the purpose of carry/supporting the upper body while walking with both legs

What does the size of canines in Gracile Australopithecus usually happen to be?

Proportional to other teeth

What does the size of canines in Robust Australopithecus usually happen to be?

Thicker and/or wider

What does the size of molars in Gracile Australopithecus usually happen to be?

proportional

What does the size of molars in Robust Australopithecus usually happen to be?

megadontal

What are big indicators that something is part of the hominin line?

Bipedalism, centrally located magnum foramen, non-honing canines

What are the main features you should focus on when comparing and contrasting different os coxa and femurs

The Head

Illium & Sciatic Notch

Trochanters

Shape of Illium & Bone Density