Hominins include us, homo sapiens, as well as our ancestors. Hominin traits such as bipedalism, larger brains, size of teeth, and other traits have evolved over time. The observation of the evolution of these traits helps us stay informed about modern human biology and how it came to be.  

The lecture refers to hominins as “members of the ape family that are habitually bipedal.” It is also mentioned that this transition to bipedal locomotion most likely took place during a time when most species of apes died off. Bipedal locomotion was a change, or we could say an adaptation that helped ensure the survival of hominins. Studying bipedalism throughout the different time periods as well as the different fossil genera shows us how initial transformation into fulltime bipedalism happened to be. This initial transformation is shown through three fossil genera (Sahelanthropus, Orrorin, and Ardipithecus) from East Africa. They are all primitive hominins that showed derived traits as well as primitive traits. When both derived and primitive traits are shown, it makes it easier to compare and contrast as well as apply the knowledge gained to modern human biology.  As we dive further into more details of these three genera, we can see just how similar and different they are compared to human biology today. 

Another hominin trait that is worth keeping an eye on is brain size. It was mentioned in the lecture that “bipedalism arose at least 3 to 4 million years before enlarged brains.” Also, bipedalism was not very successful before enlarged brains. When we take a look at the three genera that initially showed the evolution of bipedalism, we can also compare and contrast the brain sizes. The primitive traits always included a smaller brain while the derived traits would have a larger brain. Overtime, having a larger brain meant more survival. It is interesting to think that before larger brains bipedal locomotion was inefficient. Does that mean that no matter which traits went through evolution before enlarged brains, the evolution of bigger brain sizes was most important? 

Another hominin trait to understand is teeth. At first, teeth used to be bigger but overtime they evolved to smaller teeth. This evolution was shown by the size of the teeth as well as the shape of the teeth. These dental studies mostly focused on canines and molars and sometimes premolars. Even understanding the evolution of teeth helped us understand how our ancestors survived back then and then compare it to how we survive today. 

Fossilized skeletal remains of early human ancestors have helped anthropologists reconstruct and learn from the past by allowing them to have a visualization of what certain traits looked like in the past and then compare them to what these traits are like today. Having a visualization by reconstructing fossilized skeletal remains of early human ancestors makes it easier to understand what might have been, and how that helped them survive in the past versus what is now, and how that helps us survive in the present. This could help anthropologists open new doors and get more answers about modern human biology.