Lecture 22 notes (2).docx

Introduction to Human Evolution: Lecture 22 notes Wednesday, November 1st Climate Change and Human Evolution Fossil Record provides a glimpse into major evolutionary events that shaped and defined what it means to be human origins of bipedalism use of stone tools emergence of our genus,...

Introduction to Human Evolution: Lecture 22 notes Wednesday, November 1st Climate Change and Human Evolution Fossil Record provides a glimpse into major evolutionary events that shaped and defined what it means to be human origins of bipedalism use of stone tools emergence of our genus, homo hominins: bipedal apes homo: humans hominoids: apes technological advancements (tools and culture) Fossil records some events coincided with major changes in African climate… thus, human evolution and behavioral development were/are likely climatically mediated Environment Humans evolved alongside environmental challenges and opportunities affected how early humans obtained food, found shelter, escape predators, and developed social interactions that favored survival fire, the ability to use it increased cognitive abilities allowed set the stage for new ways in which humans interacted with their surroundings Climatic context of the Cenozoic era importance of the Cenozoic the relationships of the environment to allow for certain organisms to be present Two video links: Bipedalism: special form of locomotion on two feet The Bipedal Adaptation Efficient bipedalism as the primary form of locomotion is seen only in hominins Advantage of bipedalism Freed the hands for carrying objects and making and using tools Wider view of the surrounding environment (I.e., possible predators) Efficient means of covering long distances Habitual and Obligate Bipedalism Habitual: this is form of locomotion is the standard and most efficient Obligate: only form of locomotion: restricted to this form our anatomy allows for bipedalism first and foremost the proportions of limbs and the orientation of bones, allow us and ONLY us in this way