...between them. * Linguistics – is concerned with man’s literate or non-literate and takes up interrelation between language of a certain people and various aspects of culture. EVOLUTION Charles Darwin – proposed the mechanism of natural selection to account for the evolution of species. Basic Principles of the Natural Selection 1. Every species is composed of a variety of individuals, some which are better adapted to their environment than the others. 2. Offspring inherits traits from their parents at least to some degree. 3. Since better adapted individuals generally produce more offspring over the generations than the poorer adapted, the frequency of adoptive traits increases in subsequent generations. HUMAN EVOLUTION, Humans are primates, a general group having a boreal ancestry and characterized by grasping fingers and forward facing eyes capable of binocular vision. 2 Major Lines of Descent * Prosimeans - nocturnal lower primate: a nocturnal lower primate with large eyes and...
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...Holistic (multifaceted): approach to the study of human beings. Refers to an approach that studies many aspects of a multifaceted system. Cross-cultural: discovering general patterns about cultural traits Two broad classification of anthropology Biological (Physical) Seeks the emergence of humans & their later evolution (called human paleontology) and how & why contemporary human populations vary biologically (human variation) Study the fossils of human, prehumans & related animals Human genetics, population biology & epidemiology Cultural How & why cultures vary or are similar in the past & present Archaeology: study of past cultures Anthropological linguistics: study of language Ethnology: study of existing & recent cultures Archaeology Seek to reconstruct the daily life & customs of peoples who lived in the past but also to trace cultural changes & to offer possible explanations for those changes Deal with prehistory (time before written records) Historical archaeology: studies the remains of recent peoples who left written records Must used info from present & recent past in trying to understand the distant past Linguistics Study of languages Had to construct a dictionary & grammar, then could study the structure & history of language Study changes that have taken place over time Historical linguistics: study of how languages change over time & how they may be related Descriptive: focus of linguistics ...
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...human’s species. And lastly Archaeology anthologists studies humans by fossil remains. While even though all four sub fields study the human with different approaches they all still use a scientific method in their researches to study human kind. I’m a primate. You’re a primate everyone reading this is a primate. We hear humans are primates, but what does that mean that humans are ancestors to apes? No not exactly it just means that we share similar traits with primates such as apes and chimpanzees. According to the Smithsonian magazine “humans share more DNA with lemurs, monkeys, and apes than they do with any other mammals.” Carl Linnaeus was the first to classify humans with monkeys and apes in his 18th century taxonomic system. So now that we know that we similar apes what traits do we really share. Well first vision humans an apes can both see color. The ability to stand upright while humans always walk on 2 legs so can apes. Both humans an apes share the same diet we are both omnivorous meaning we eat both plants and meat. Communication and language is another trait that we share and also sociability both humans an apes love to spend a great deal of time socializing. While we share a few common things with apes human primates have a few...
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...because of their intelligence, ability to feel compassion and creations of society. However, in the world of anthropology, that belief has been continuously challenged by evidence of humanlike qualities seen in primates. There is a term called ‘anthropomorphism’ which has been used to describe the concept of projecting human abilities, characteristics or qualities to non-human entities such as inanimate objects or animals. Primates get anthropomorphized because they are so similar to humans, but this tends to frowned upon in science because primates are only recognized as animals, even though it is important because it highlights many of the things that make human beings human....
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...Deon Smalls Professor Rigby Anthropology 115 August 12, 2015 Primate Project Throughout the history of primate evolution, primatologist observed that primates was always use to an arboreal adaptation. Which is a physical trait that enables them to live life in trees, but later in evolution some primates adapted to life on ground. Over times of prosimians to human, several characteristics has been embodied due to the adaptations to new environments and resulted in evolutionary changes. From the beginning of time earth has encountered several geological and climatic changes over time. All the current primates that have existed at that time had to adjust itself especially in body configurations and locomotion in order to better survive. It is important to be aware of this information since we are the part of occurring changes as well. Throughout the evolution owing to the transforming environments interacting with natural selection, primates developed their own ways to move better meaning changes in locomotion with different types of bodies (meaning changes in body configuration). Grade I – Lemuroids Lemuroids, including true lemurs, lorises and galagos are the most primitive ones among the living primates. As they are the first grade of primates, they evolved in about 65 million years ago, in Paleocene epoch. Lemurs and lorises are the most primitive because they are more close to ancestral traits such as their reliance on olfaction, which enhances the sense of smell. Having...
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...Primatology is the study of primates which enables modern day humans to study and understand different primates and their adaption behaviourally and anatomically to the environment (Ember et al. 2011:86). Primatology also allows modern humans to study the behavioural and anatomical features that are distinctly human (Haviland et al. 2012:53). Homo sapiens share more than 98% of their DNA with chimpanzees and slightly less with great apes, although there is such a huge DNA shared we are not the same but there are similarities between the two. The following essay is aimed at discussing the similarities, differences and behavioural differences that are present between Homo sapiens and the present day primates. Primates are very diverse group of animals and possess features which are common within the group (Haviland et al. 2012:53). One of the common characteristics among all primates is the ability to grasp objects due to their opposable thumbs that modern primates have developed in the past year which allows more precise and powerful grip (Ember et al. 2011:88-89). Primates have well developed vision because a large portion of their brains is devoted to vision than smell, which allows than to see things better than humans and all primates give birth to live and developed young which in turn have a longer dependency period on their parents in comparison to other animals (Ember et al. 2011:89). Life expectancy of primates is very high and primates have larger brains compared to...
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...than that of modern humans. Lucy resembled an ape and was able to make tools to find food and weapons. Hadar, Africa was believed to be a heavily vegetated area but had evolved into a dry and desolate desert. After Lucy died, it was difficult to find her remains due to erosion and sediment in the body of water in which she died. Johanson and his team worked were able to use the advancement of technology to calculate about how old Lucy's remains were. The second film by Johanson seemed to disturb me because it discussed how some believe that all primates are killers and it portrayed this idea in film and in television. I disagree with the idea that all primates are predators and are always hunting harmless animals and destroying things. I understand that some primates must rely on hunting as a source of survival but I believe the portrayal of primates as barbaric in the film was unnecessary. In the second film, the primates were shown destroying piles of bones and throwing large objects. Johanson's film disturbed me in others parts. For example, when Lucy was killed by a lion and dragged into a tree. It seemed almost as if Lucy's hearing was not keen enough and therefore she was unable to escape the lion. It is a very crucial portion of the circle of life but the idea of Lucy being killed and dragged into a tree to become dinner for a hungry lion bothers me because of the direct link of...
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...Haplorrhines are defined as primates with larger brain size that leads to the longer term of development, longer lifetime and a higher lever of social interaction within the group. A dental formula has shown as the one with less number of premolars, that in its turn have a different form and presented with a Y5 pattern. Haplorrhines have a flat nose that followed by the loss of rhinarium. Haplorrhines have a color diurnal vision, good for day time activity. They are also defined as primates with sexual dimorphism. Among the other defining characteristics are the prehensile tail and protective bone...
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...suggested a revision of the primate taxonomy – genetic markers Original Branching: New Branching: Infraorder Prosimii: Infraorder: Lemuriformes * Lemuriformes Superfamily: * Lorisiformes - Lemuroidea * Tarsiiformes - Lorisoidea Primate General trends * Locomotion * Diet * Sensory adaptations * Life histories (growth stages, social behavior) Not all primates made the same Prosimians are more primitive than monkeys and apes. Anthrpoids derived toward more complex lifestyle * Prosmians separated from main primate line 40 to 45 million years ago * New world monkeys split around 38 to 40 * Old world monkeys and apes split around 25 * Chimpanzee split from human line around 10 Primate locomotion Four Main traits * Pentadactyly = five fingers and toes on each limb * High degree of prehesnsitlity (grasp)and opposability (Opposable thumb) * Retention of the clavicle ( allows shoulder to roll and arms to swing in circle) * Erect upper body Four types of locomotion patterns * Quadrupedalism ( walking on all fours) * Vertical Clinging and leaping * Knuckle walking * Brachiation ( swinging through trees) * Bipedalism us Diet Gerealized – almost anything All four tooth types (Incisors, canines, premolars, molars) Differences between primates and other mammals -Reduced...
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...language that one learn varies. The evolutionary case reveals why we communicate. Human language requires one to learn since it is because it is so complex. Language is in several ways is the quintessential expression of culture. It is learned, transmitted and at the same time shared. Human language contain the trait of being discrete and open. They relay totally new ideas and new things. In contrast other primates communicate their present intentions and emotional mod. All humans have the capacity for language. The brains of children are wired so that they start learning to speak any language. Both human beings and animals use systems of communication, what is unique in human beings is the use of open vocal systems and complex symbols. Communication in human beings and animals entails use of signals are gestures that possess meaning to those using it. For instance, human communication has symbols and signals. Symbols have specific meaning to various groups of individuals. Many primates spend their time mostly communicating to each other. They do so with sounds, smells visual messages, and even touching. Non-human primates mainly use body language .Human communication basically entails use of oral sounds. Our sound or what we speak is far much different from the hoots,...
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...Midterm Exam Assessment Essay: “Chimpanzees are Human’s Closest Living Non-human Primate Relatives” Table of Contents Answer to letter A……………………………………………………………………..Pages 2 to 4 Answer to letter B………………………………………………………………………Pages 4 to 7 Answer to letter C………………………………………………………………………Pages 7 to 8 References…………………………………………………………………………………Page 9 For many years, scientists have supported through DNA and behavioral observation that chimpanzees are human’s closest relatives. Also, the advance in technology has enable scientists to find similarities and differences between humans and chimpanzees. DNA has revealed that Homo sapiens and chimpanzees are 98.5 to 99 percent identical. If an individual observes a chimpanzee, he or she will be surprised with the emotional, behavioral, and physical similarities one shares with the chimpanzees. A) The evidence that supports the statement that chimpanzees are Human’s closest living non-human Primate Relatives are DNA and the chimpanzee’s cultural behavior. DNA studies have shown that Homo sapiens and chimpanzees share 99 percent of identical DNA. In the article, “What Makes Us Human?” Katherine S. Pollard focuses on the 1 percent of DNA that makes humans and chimpanzees different. However, the findings revealed a closer relationship between humans and chimpanzees, and explanations of how genes have mutated throughout time. Pollard reports that the human accelerated region 1 (HAR1) “might be part of a gene new to science that is...
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...(cultural Relativism, ethnocentrism) Physical (biological)—Paleontologists, primatologists, human biologists, Linguistics (Language studies) Archaeology (Past cultures) Evolution: Darwin, Lyell, Linneaus Genotypes, Phenotypes, Dominance, Recessive, Heterozygous, Homozygous, Punnett Squares Tt x Tt Evolutionary Theory—Four Forces --Mutation, Gene Drift, Gene Flow, Natural Selection Punctuated Equilibrium, Homologies, Analogies, Exaptations Primate traits Emphasis on sight and touch, Pair bonding, Stereoscopic vision Brain complexity, sociality Primate taxonomic terms Order (Primate), Suborders (Prosimians, Anthropoids) , Family (Hominidae),Genus (Homo, Australopicines, Species etc. Prosimian (tarsiers, lemurs) anthropoids (All monkeys and Apes) Catarrhines vs Platyrhinnes (Old Word and New World Monkeys) Dating Techniques: Absolute (Radiocarbon dating, Potassium Argon Dating, Tree-rings) Relative Dating (Stratigraphy, Seriation) Primate Evolution Paleocene, Eocene (Age of Prosimians), Oligocene (Age of Anthropoids: Aegyptopithecus), Miocene (Age of Apes Sivapithecus, Proconsul), Pliocene (Australopithecines) , Pleistocene (H. habilis, H, Erectus, Archaic Homo sapiens), Hominid chronology A. afarensis Laetoli, Hadar (3-4 MYA) A. africanus Taung, Olduvai Gorge (East and South Africa) (2-3 MYA) A. boisei East Africa A. robustus South Africa H. habilis East Africa (2.4-1.4 MYA) ...
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...WHEN GUESTS ARRIVE AT THE YERKES Regional Primate Research Center in Georgia, where I work, they usually pay a visit to the chimpanzees. And often, when she sees them approaching the compound, an adult female chimpanzee named Georgia will hurry to the spigot to collect a mouthful of water. She'll then casually mingle with the rest of the colony behind the mesh fence, and not even the sharpest observer will notice anything unusual. If necessary, Georgia will wait minutes, with her lips closed, until the visitors come near. Then there will be shrieks, laughs, jumps-and sometimes falls-when she suddenly sprays them. I have known quite a few apes that are good at surprising people, naive and otherwise. Heini Hediger, the great Swiss zoo biologist, recounts how he-being prepared to meet the challenge and paying attention to the ape's every move-got drenched by an experienced chimpanzee. I once found myself in a similar situation with Georgia; she had taken a drink from the spigot and was sneaking up to me. I looked her straight in the eye and pointed my finger at her, warning in Dutch, "I have seen you!" She immediately stepped back, let some of the water dribble from her mouth, and swallowed the rest. I certainly do not wish to claim that she understands Dutch, but she must have sensed that I knew what she was up to, and that I was not going to be an easy target. Now, no doubt even a casual reader will have noticed that in describing Georgia's actions, I've implied human qualities...
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...Chapter 22 – The Evolution of Primates Paleoanthropology the study of human evolution Primate characteristics 1. 5 digits 2. opposable thumbs or toe 3. long freely moving limbs 4. eyes in front of the head 5. relatively large brain 6. flexible hands & feet 7. nails 3 sub orders or primates 1. suborder prosimii - lemurs 2. suborder tarsiiformers- tarsiers 3. suborder anthropoidea- monkeys, apes, humans Suborder Anthropoidea 45 mya originated in asia & africa more developed cerebrum new world vs old world monkeys old world = africa and asia and europe short to no tails, nostrils downward, intensely social, ground dwellers new world = south and central america long tail, shorter thumbs or absent, aboreal, nostrils flat and open to side & social hominOIDS descended: old world monkeys 23-24 mya larger brain lack tail apes -gibbons, orangutans, gorillas, chimpanzees humans- a group composed of apes, and hominIDS (humans and their ancestors) hominids differences part 1 ape vs humans difference between apes and humans: humans: 1) complex curvature of the spine 2) shorter, broader pelvis 3) foramen magnum at base of skull 4) first toe aligned with other toe hominids differences part 2 ape vs humans human vs gorilla heads 1. human skull lacks the supraorbital ridge 2. has a pronounced chin 3. human brain is larger 4. teeth are arranged in a U shape Sahelantropus tchadensis earliest known hominid, small brain, face and teeth had many...
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...Interestingly, there is a group of living plants - the whisk ferns - which resembles Rhynia. Psilotum nudum which grows in moist, shady habitats in the Caribbean is such a plant. At one time, Psilotum was thought to be a surviving relative of Rhynia. It is, however, more generally thought to be a Fern Ally, related to the Ferns, with loss of features such as leaves and roots. Event 13 “IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORDATE” FINDING THE ANCESTOR OF VERTEBRATES (AND OURSELVES) 530 million years ago The Cambrian explosion created all the major phyla of animals that we have today. This includes the phyla Chordata (chordates). Primitive forms are creatures with evidence of a notochord, a structural rod of cartilage and neural tissue running down the long axis of the body. This notochord was the early precursor to the spine in vertebrates (animals with a true backbone, like fish), and modern examples of simple chordates include sea squirts and lancelets. Two Cambrian fossil localities are of key importance here: Chengjiang in Yunnan Province, southern China, and the Burgess Shales in the British Columbia Rockies of Canada. Both of these localities have produced fossils classified as chordates. The Chinese forms include the forms Myllokunmingia and Haikouichthys (it has even been suggested these could be primitive vertebrate jawless fish). The Canadian form (somewhat later in the Cambrian period) is Pikaia, which especially resembles the modern lancelet. Event 15 “GET OUT OF THE...
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