Differences in the pelvis Male pelvis is narrower

Differences in the pelvis • Male pelvis is narrower; illia are not as splayed; arch in front is V shaped • Female pelvis is wider, more robust, illia splay outward, arch in front U shaped

Differences in the skull • • Male cranium is generally bigger Female cranium: has a square chin; rounded chin; less angle to jaw; sharper angle to jaw; larger mastoid bone; smaller mastoid bone; small bump at back; no bump at back; more sloping forehead; more bulging forehead; heavier browridges fainter browridges

Clues from Teeth �Can obtain lots of information from teeth �What types of food were consumed �How they interacted with environment to acquire food For example, the patterns of wear on the teeth suggest a diet of hard food items such as nuts, seeds and roots requiring lots of chewing and grinding

Other important information • Age of bones/fossils – Important to place in evolutionary time frame – Many scientific methods to determine age • Forensic information – What can we learn about the individual? – – Stature Age at time of death Diseases or injuries evident Strenuous physical activity • This information is important to reconstruct the variation in the population and the way of life of the individual

Major Turning Points in Human Evolutionary History 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Development of bipedalism 6 -7 mya Stone tool manufacture 2. 5 mya Meat eating Brain growth Language Culture (as primary means of adaptation)

Why bipedalism? ADVANTAGES: Ø Frees hands/arms for carrying things Ø Better visibility Ø Look larger (more threatening) Ø Keeps body cooler Ø Energy efficient for long distance travel or activities

DISADVANTAGES: Ø More visible to predators Ø Loss of speed in running/turning quickly Ø Loss of or injury to one limb hinders mobility