This lecture videos and information provided this week were very interesting, discovering terminology and the way we became how we are today was fascinating. Even looking at the different categories of apes and the traits which are classified as primitive vs derived. We hear and learn about evolution throughout our schooling but to be able to see the changes from adaption such as these.  

The traits I have chosen that I think informs us about our human biology is first, bipedalism. Taking a look at the foramen magnum which is the location where your spine attaches with your skull: If the foramen magnum is directly under the head we can assume that person was bipedal. Having the weight under the skull, supporting the skull vs the spine being behind the skull assuming quadrupedal. Looking at the bipedal trait throughout the era’s you can see “Ardi” or Ardipithecus being a very well adapted bipedal ape. Although this ape showed primitive features as well such as long arms and a large big toe shown for swinging in the trees. The Ardi ape was described as a bipedal ape by placement of foramen magnum. This bipedal trait is a significant find due to humans being bipedal, and although some apes were quadrupedal this ape showed prominent bipedalism. Bipedalism means that apes began to walk on two legs, more of a human like stature as we walk today steering away from walking on all fours.         

Another trait I found interesting that shed some light on our own human biology was canines. This weeks lecture provided insight on some changes made throughout evolution that allowed canines to become smaller. Back millions of years ago, quadrupedal animals usually lunged at their opponent, using their back legs to plummet them forward, striking their opponent with their large teeth. Well as they became bipedal animals, instead of striking their opponent with their teeth they would use their long arms. Long arms stayed a trait among the years, showing that the mammals stayed in the trees therefore keeping their long arms. Our teeth are the same length as the others, more making our canines more of incisors rather than large canines. The size of our canines have become smaller due to less action of fighting by use of mouth.             

            Looking at fossilized skeletal remains of early human ancestors can help anthropologist discover more information about our past. Looking at fossilized remains we can look back 2 million years and gather insight on our ancestors. A fossil can be analyzed to determine which organism the fossil belonged to. Looking at the bone structure of the body provides information on the fact bipedalism was present, and that the length of bone in the legs were meant for holding weight with the ability to run. We can also tell the difference between male and females by looking at bone structure. Looking at the pelvis whether its narrow or wide to determine whether it’s a female or male. Having long arms such as the Australopithecus sediba, means he spent time in trees despite his longer legs. We can compare relative brain size, canines, from fossilized skulls in comparison to our own modern day skull.