A few hominin traits that can inform us about modern human biology are canines, grasping big toes, and the foramen magnum being located under the skull. Although there are many more hominin traits, these are very prominent traits that explain modern humans. As we know, humans use their canine teeth to tear food, especially when consuming meat. A grasping big toe allowed early hominins to grab things with their toes such as branches or food. This trait is what gave rise to our hands and the ability to move our fingers independently. Arguably one of the more important hominin traits is the foramen magnum being located under the skull, specifically identified in the Sahelanthropus. The foramen magnum is the hole in the skull where the spinal nerves pass to connect to the brain. By having this hole at the base of the skull it allows us to stand up with our body directly beneath us and we are able to walk and run. All of these traits were forced to evolve to serve a beneficial purpose.
As we have learned this week, when multiple groups of individuals exist with different characteristics they are forced to evolve or die. This helps to explain why we have certain traits. The traits that no longer exist today are those that did not evolve and ended up dying. This is also a concept that has lead many people to question if this is true why do chimps and monkeys still exist today. One of this week’s videos discussed that there are different branches when looking at evolution and it is likely that we are on a different branch than these primates but have a similar ancestor further back in history. The discovery of Ardipithecus is an example of this. Most people believe that humans evolved from monkeys but this video challenged that belief a little.
Fossilized skeletal remains of early human ancestors have been discovered across the world and studied. In a perfect scenario an anthropologist would hope to find a complete fossilized skeleton to learn about what the individual looked like, how it lived, and what it ate. Unfortunately, due to weather, human activity, and animals it can be difficult to find a complete skeleton. However, finding even a partial skeleton can be beneficial. By unearthing skeletal remains anthropologists have been able to determine when certain individuals lived, when they died, and how we have evolved from them. Not only does the skeleton itself provide useful information but also the layer of sediment that it is found in. Because layers of sediment are deposited one on top of the other the deeper the skeleton is found the older it is. I think it’s interesting that we have organs that do not serve a purpose anymore but might have in the past. With the help of anthropologists we can learn more about what the purpose might have been before and if we will either lose those organs as time goes on and we continue to evolve or if they will have a purpose again either the same as before or entirely different.
I liked how you discussed the grasping big toes found in some early hominids. The part of this week’s videos and readings I found most interesting was the . “Analysis of Ardipithecus ramidus” video. Ardipithecus changed so many perceptions on early hominids. Researchers now believe that Ardipithecus is closer to the evolutionary split of chimps and humans than ever seen before. Ardipithecus’s toes which were meant for grasping and stabilization rather than for a quick change in direction came to help paint a new picture of where early hominids lived. These traits align much more with forest dwelling creatures rather than those living on wide open savannas, the generally accepted location of where early humans developed and evolved. Footprints are also important not only in the conceptualization of how the feet looked and but how the hands and arms look. It is so interesting that one discovery led to so many new theories. The theory that the common ancestor between chimps and humans was not a knuckle walker at all and that chimps, like gorillas, evolved to knuckle walking independently now has so much more scientific backing.
Good job on this week’s blog post. I liked how you talked about the grasping toes because it is such an important trait that has evolved into our independently moving fingers. I 100% agree with Zac and found the same thing the most interesting from this week. I always knew that our opposable thumbs and independently moving fingers evolved from so long ago but after this week I realized how that actually occurred and how important it actually is. It is so crazy that one small realization has lead to so many new theories. When looking at this theory, it makes so much sense scientifically. I also like how you added the trait of the foramen magnum being located under the skull just because that evolved into such an important trait.
Hello, Asha I really enjoyed reading your post and felt that it was very informative. I also wish that there was a perfect scenario in which an anthropologist would hope to find a complete fossilized skeleton to learn about what the organism looked like, how it lived, and what it ate. Unfortunately, due to weather, human activity, and animals it can be difficult to find a complete skeleton. I think that it may be difficult to learn about the fossils because of all that it endures I think it’s great that anthropologists are able to learn so much through the study of fossils. It helps when they can see all the changes that have occurred over time as things have changed so much in the ways organisms are today.
I read your post and it was interesting that you were in a position to capture the few hominid traits that can inform us about modern human biology. It is true that some of these traits include things such as the grasping big toes as well as the canines. When we look at these traits, it is clear that they can play a significant role in informing us about the hominid traits that can inform us about human biology. It was also interesting to learn that the big grasping toe gave them the ability to be able to grab things with their toes and this is something that can also be possible in the case of the human beings as well. I was impressed that you were also able to mention the importance that can be realized from looking at the fossilized skeletal remains and this can be used to learn about he looks of an individuals and how they lived.
The idea of a species being forced to adapt or perish. It is something that you mentioned in your post. It is quaint to look back in this 19th year in the new millennium, and think at this primate ancestors of ours having to endure those hardships of survival while we have the luxuries of the internet where we can virtually learn from them and their success and failures. Those early beings and the noble primate deserve respect and admiration they are our evolutionary ancestry and our closest species relative still alive in the case of the bonobos.
It is the year 2019. Climate Change is ravishing this planet and only getting worse by the years. We are not safe we must adapt or perish.