ANT101 Quiz 2

Explain the Piltdown Man and His significance - why was he accepted by the community?

A hoax from the significant white male scientists that tried to fabricate the “missing link” - except the bones were of an orangutang and not a human, and treated to look older - was accepted due to the closed-off nature of anthropology and a field dominated by white men!

Compare and contrast paleoanthropological approaches from the late 19th century to early 21st century

They used to be extremely destructive - usage of dynamite to excavate sites (often damaging their research) to very methodic approaches in the present day ensuring no bones are borken!

List the ways of which Homo naledi revolutionized the field of paleoanthropology

Increase in women in the fields, intentional effort to include people of colour, lack of gatekeeping, academic articles published open-source as well as their 3D prints

What are the characteristics of hominins?

large brain, small teeth, bipedalism, tool use

What is the Savannah Hypothesis?

we lived swinging in trees branch to brant, so when the climate shifted to savannahs we had to spend more time on the floor forcing us to spend more time on our feets

What are the 3 benefits to bipedalism?

1. Energy conservation

2. Thermoregulation

3. Free arms/hands

What are the bipdal changes in our spine?

from a C-shaped spine to an S-shaped spine - puts our centre of gravity more balanced

What are the bipdal changes in our vertebral body?

from a more equal size to an increased size to make up for gravity’s weight on our spine

What are the bipdal changes in our foramen magnum?

from being posterior (at the back) to inferior (closer to the bottom) - allows our spinal cord to connect to our brain

What are the bipdal changes in our pelvis

from having a ilium long and flat to short and broad (like a bowl) - helps bipeds keep their centre of gravity

What are the bipdal changes in our legs?

in quadrupeds, thigh bones are positioned vertically, our femur is angled in

What are the bipdal changes in our knee joint?

quadrupeds are comparible in size to the shaft of their bone, bipeds have proportionally larger knee joint and more reinforced

What are the bipdal changes in our toes?

quadrupeds have semi-opposable toes, bipeds have toes in-line with other toes

What are the bipdal changes in our heel?

quadrupeds have more small ankle bones, bipeds have robust, reinfoced ankle bones (calcaneus and talus)

What are the bipdal changes in our arch?

quadrupeds have absent arches, bipeds have arches

What are the bipdal changes in our arms?

quadrupeds have arms equal in length to their legs, our arms are short and less robust

What is the shape of an apes jaw?

u-shaped jaw - teeth behind canines sit in parallel lines

What is the shape of an humans jaw?

round teeth, small anterior and posterior teeth - shaped in a parabola

What are quadruped canines and premolars?

much larger canines, diasetma behind their lower canine that allows the canines to sit next to each other, and a P3 Honing complex

What are biped canines and premolars?

more equal size between canines and premolars, a lack of a diastema, and No p3 honing complex

what were the changes in enamel thickness

from thick to much thinner in bipeds

What were the changes in prognathism

apes have greater face protrusion, humans have a lack of facial prognathism

changes in cranial capacity

from small to big

Where did most hominin fossils originate from?

The Great Rift Valley in East Africa

What are ancestral traits?

things inhereted from a distant ancestor - facial prognathism, presence of diastema, etc

What are derived traits?

those newly evolved traits - large brain case, lack of diastema, flat face

What are the traits of early hominins?

primitive: small cranial capacities, U-shaped dentition

derived: some bipedalism, reduced facial prognathism, smaller canines

What are the traits of australopithecines?

definitely part of our human ancestors, 4.201.0 mya, small bodied and small brained

What are the traits of Australopithecus anamnesis

4.2-3.9 mya, clear evidence of bipedalism, primitive dentition

What are the traits of Australopithecus afarensis

Curved hands/feet • Sexually dimorphic - Better evidence of bipedalism - 3.9-2.9 mya

What are the traits of Australopithecus africanus

Larger braincase • Less prognathic case • Generalize dentition - 3.5-2.0 mya

Define lumpers vs. splitters.

Lumpers

• Would argue that variability is expected 

• “Lumps” the specimens with subtle differences into one species

Splitters

• Even subtle differences imply differences in niche occupation

  • Believe in “Polytypic” species - they can interact/breed, but have different morphological populations 

Explain the features of Homo habilis

• Our first example of tool usage - the first to use tools

• A more round head, reduced prognathism, more human-like teeth, less pronounced brow ridge

• Has shorter arms and legs than others in the genus homo 

  • Associated with Oldowan Tool industry

Explain the features of Homo erectus/ergaster

• Erectus means “upright walking man” - Asia and Europe

• Ergaster is a synonym for “early African Homo erectus” - African version of Homo Erectus

• Difference between the two are the location in which they were found, Modern human stature, smaller teeth than H. habilis, ¾ size of modern human brain

• evidence of controlled fire and acheulean tool technology

Explain the features of Homo hiedelbergensis

• AS tall or taller than modern humans

• More robust

• Likely a precursor to H. neanderthalensis, possible ancestor for Homo Sapiens

• Capable of group-hunting large game

• Possible evidence of cannibalism

Explain the features of Homo neanderthalensis

• Adapted to living in very cold climates

• Their bodies had to be stocky and nasal passages was specialized (wider) equipped to process the icy air 

• They were initially restricted to europe 

• They survived the ice ages

• Found in Europe, Middle East, Asia, and North Africa

What are archaic homosapiens?

• New stone tool technologies

• emerging forehead, appearing chin, fading brow ridge, progressively growing cranium size

What are anatomically modern Homo sapiens?

More rounded crania, more gracile skeleton • Emerged around 315-200 kya • Replaced Archaic Homo sapiens • Became the only surviving Homo species

What is the Recent Out- of- Africa Theory?

Replacement Model

• Modern H. sapiens evolved in Africa around 315-200 kya

• Then spread throughout Europe and Asia • Replaced other archaic Homo populations with no interbreeding

What is the expected evidence of the Out-Of-Africa theory?

• Earliest H. sapiens fossils should be found in Africa

• H. sapiens and archaic Homo should overlap for brief periods

• Sudden change in technology during the replacement event

• Genetic evidence should show differences between archaic Homo species and Homo sapiens

What is the Assimilation theory ?

Partial replacement model • Modern H. sapiens evolved in Africa around 315-200 kya • Spread throughout Europe and Asia • Interbreeding with other archaic populations, genetically swamping them

What is the expected evidence for the Assimilation Theory?

Earliest H. sapiens fossils should be found in Africa

• Fossil evidence points to interbreeding between archaic and modern humans

• Archaeological record should show a diffusion of technology

• Genetic evidence shows little or no evidence of other archaic populations, due to assimilation by a large, more genetically diverse population

What is the multiregional theory?

Modern H. sapiens evolved from archaic H. sapiens in several regions of the Old World • Extensive gene flow between these regions maintained the population as a single species

What should the evidence be for the multiregional theory?

Earliest H. sapiens fossils should be found across the Old World

• Fossil record should show continuing in transitional fossils

• Archaeological records should show continuity of technology and behaviour

• Genetic evidence should show lineages from several regions, as evidence of gene flow

What was the Upper Paleolithic change in tool usage?

• Marked increase in the diversity of artefacts found with modern humans • Organized settlements (campsites) • Artwork (cave painting, petroglyphs, carvings) (3 examples in images) • Evidence of fishing • More complex social groupings • Increasing group identity or “ethnicity”

Explain the Transition from Middle to Upper Paleolithic tool tech

Period of significant cultural and behavioural innovations • Sophisticated tool technologies: Gravettian, Solutrean, Magdelenian • Changes in subsistence practices • Ritual behaviour • Viewed as a “cultural revolution”

What model of evolution does current evidence support?

Assimilation

Explain the function of bones.

• Structure and movement • Protection of vial tissues and organs • Storage (mineral reservoirs, e.g., calcium) • Production of red blood cells (in bone marrow)

Explain what the Diaphysis, Epiphysis, Metaphysis, and Epiphyseal line are.

• Diaphysis – shaft of a long bone

• Epiphysis – “cap” of the bone

• Epiphyseal line – connecting line between diaphysis and epiphysis

• Metaphysis – “neck” just prior to the epiphysis

Explain what trabecular and cortical bone are.

Trabecular bone

• AKA: Cancellous bone; spongy bone • Structure: porous • Location: Typically found in the ends of long bones

Cortical bone

• AKA: Compact bone • Structure: Dense; few pores or spaces • Location: External surface of bones

Explain the position on the side, coronal plane, sagittal plane, transverse plane, and proximity

Side (Right/Left)

• The skeletons right and left, not YOUR right and left 

Coronal Plane (cutting the body ear to ear)

• Anterior (front, ventral), Posterior (back, dorsal) 

Sagittal Plane (cutting the body down the center of your body)

• Medial (close to midline) , Lateral (far from midline) 

Transverse Plane:

• Superior (higher up), Inferior (lower down) 

Proximity

• Proximal close to articulation point, Distal far from articulation to point

What are the bones of the Cranium?

8 cranial vault bones, 14 facial, 6 ear, 1 mandible, technically the Hyoid bone - largely connected with sutures that are dense fibrous connective tissue

How many total ribs do we have?

24, 12 on each side - attaches to sternum via cartilage so we can take big breaths

What bones make up our Sternum?

Manubrium, sternum body, xiphoid process

How many vertebrae do we have?

24 - 7am Cervical, 12pm Thoracic, 5pm Lumbar

How many bones in our Sacrum?

5 fused vertebrae with the coccyx below

What bones are in our thoracic cage?

Ribs, Manubrium, Sternum, xiphoid process, Cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacrum, coccyx

What makes up our Axial skeleton?

Our skull and thoracic cage

What bones are in our shoulder?

Scapula, clavicle, humerus

What total bones are in our arm?

Humerus (2), radius (2 on the side of your thumb), 2 ulna (on the side of your pinky)

How many bones in your hands?

27 total - carpals, metacarpals, phalanges

What bones make up your pelvis?

Innominates x2 (pubis, ischium, ilium) and sacrum (axial)

What are the bones in your legs?

femur, patella, tibia, fibula

What are the bones in your feet?

phalanges, metatarsals, tarsals, calcaneus

Explain the dental arcade of Deciduous teeth vs. adult teeth

2.1.0.2 vs 2.1.2.3

What are the elements of the tooth?

Crown: the teeth you can see right now

Cemento-Enamel Junction: the connection point between crown and root

Root: the part beneath the gum line

Enamel - hard outer shell

Dentine - softer material

Pulp cavity - holds nerves and blood

Root - holds it into the jaw bone

Explain what osteobiography is.

an individuals story viewed through their bones

How do we use bones for non-adult age estimation

• Epiphyseal fusion

• Examining the fusion of that epiphysis cap to the diaphysis shaft

  • Then compare the skeleton of the unknown individual to established standards using known-age-at-death individuals

Explain how one uses bones for adult age estimation.

Pubic Symphysis Morphology

• Young adult: ruggest, horizontal ridges

• Middle Adult: clearly defined margin, lipped

• Old Adult: flat surface, porosity

How do we use bones to estimate biological sex?

• We estimate features that develop during or after puberty (in response to testosterone and estrogen)

• Very responsible for adults because they’ve already experienced puberty! - Notoriously unreliable for non-adult remains 

Female: female pelvis shaped to hold/deliver offspring, less robust than males

Male: pelvis optimal for bipedal locomotion, generally more robust than females

What is Bioarchaeology?

• The analysis of human remains from archaeological sites

Often interested in the lived experiences of the deceased

what is Mortuary Archaeology

• The analysis of burials and death processes 

Often interested in the death experiences of the deceased and societies

Explain what dental teeth assessments are and what type of archaeology they are in.

Bioarchaeology - IF there are lots of carbohydrates/sugars = higher rates of cavities (aka carious lesions) 

• Lots of proteins/fat = lower rates of carious lesions 

• Abrasive foods = higher rate of dental wear

Soft Sticky foods = lower rate of dental wear

Explain what activity reconstruction is and what type of archaeology they are in.

• Muscle insertion sites enlarge in response to increased use of those limbs

• Musculoskeletal stress markers (MSM’s) - parts of our bones where our muscles attach to, as those parts of the bone grow due to increased use 

• Facets develop based on use - areas of the bone that grow in response to usage 

• Squatters facet

Explain what trauma analysis is and what type of archaeology they are in.

bioarchaeology - Observe the type and timing of trauma

• Work to understand the directionality and activity that leads to fracture 

• Types of trauma: Sharp force trauma, Blunt force trauma, Projectile trauma 

• Identify timing: antemortem, peri-mortem, post-mortem

What is the importance of the position of the body in mortuary archaeology?

Provide clues about the burial or religious rites and treatment of the dead

What are the types of burials?

Extended burial: body flat on their back, most common in historic cemeteries

• In Supine: face up, or Prone: face down position

Flexed burials; knees drawn to chest, fetal position as a means of exiting the world the same way they entered fetally

What is the difference between a primary and secondary burial?

primary: initial, direct interment of a deceased person, original undisturbed state

Secondary burial: human remains are disinterred and reburried after decomposition - the bones are not in anatomical position, most likely missing smaller bones

What is the importance of the orientation of the grave in mortuary archaeology?

• In Jewish/Christian practices, they orient east-west (foot-head)

• Face the rising sun, priests buried west-east to “face their congregation”

• Muslim practices, they’re oriented northeast-southwest, face towards Mecca

  • Modern practices, it completely varies, often depends on what is more aesthetically pleasing for the cemetery

What is the importance of the burial container in mortuary archaeology?

Can take different forms depending on financial access, religious customs, social styles etc

pit, wooden coffin, stone/lead coffin, sarcophagus, monumental construction

What is the importance of grave goods in mortuary archaeology?

• Objects buried with the deceased (jewelry, tools, weapons, ceramics, food

May tell us:

1. Social status, occupation, religious beliefs, gendered roles (but we need to be careful to not apply our own bias)

What is the importance of the cemetery layout in mortuary archaeology?

• How graves are arranged

• Patterns may indicate:

• Family burial clusters, elite tombs separated from commoner tombs, separate burial areas for children