This week, we learned about how traits can help us, human species, learn more about our modern biology. These traits include but are not limited too:

• Bipedal of locomotion
• Foramen Magnum
• Braincase (brain size)
• Foot/Hand structure
• Canines

As mentioned before, these are important traits that shaped our understanding of us. However, I think it is important to note that we do not view these as features of similarity or as links, rather we should observe them as “branch of a tree” (Tim White). With that, I felt that all traits are interesting, and since I am to choose 2-3 out of the ones learned. My focus will be on the foramen magnum and foot/hand structure. I feel that we have become very familiar with the Human evolution cartoon image. We can see that the physical features are different. For example; hair, tools carried and even the ability to walk upright.

That ability to walk with two legs is called bipedalism that arose 3-5 millions of years ago. The transition to habitual bipedalism and natural bipedalism occurs in circumstances where they need to adapt to new circumstances that led to multiple evolutionary changes. We are able to observe these from fossil sampling that archaeologist gather. One way that archaeologist can determine if the species is bipedal is by the foramen magnum. Depending on where the foramen is placed meaning where the hole in the base of the skull is the determination of this hominin trait (It has to be located under the skull). You can see this bipedal locomotion in Sahelenthropus, Orrorin, and Ardipithecus. Even so, they still are primitive, ape-like in nature. For instance, Orrorin tugenesis had derived traits (bipedal legs) and primitive traits (long ape-like arms). Indicating that even they were standing at times, but they were mostly up in the trees.

And even then, they are very limited to one or a few samples. If we take for instance the new findings of Ardipithecus ramidus. These skeletal remains were found to be 4 feet tall and 110 pounds. The interesting thing here is she has a very small face with a small braincase. Also, she was found with large arms and had bipedal legs. The interesting thing here is her feet had opposable large toe thumbs used for grasping! Ardipithecus “…. takes us back to wear the node point of the junction where the last common ancestor was neither human nor chimpanzee.” (Tim White). It literally changed everything because it was completely different, nothing like what they had expected.

This is just a piece that gives us a glimpse of the past. Sadly, a modern-day human activity like mining has harmed the work of excavating these fossilized remains. Like the finding of Homo Naledi where an eight-year-old child literally found the remains of an eight-year-old that was 1.9 millions years old. He literally stumbled upon it, thinking it was a rock. Isn’t that crazy? To find fossilized remains literally on the surface rather than having to excavate it is mind-blowing. I took an archaeology course and usually you see archaeologist having to excavate a site not just lift up a rock that has the skull embedded in it.  That was interesting finding that really stood out to me, what about you?