Hominid Skeleton Research Articles

Earliest evidence of caries lesion in hominids reveal sugar-rich diet for a Middle Miocene dryopithecine from Europe.

The formation of dental caries is mainly caused by dietary habits and therefore, may contain information for dietary reconstructions of fossil hominids. This study investigates the caries lesion in the 12.5 Ma old type specimen of Dryopithecus carinthiacus Mottl 1957 (Primates, Hominidae) from St. Stefan (Austria). Potential food sources are identified on associated palynological data, which allow conclusions about food quality, sugar availability and the hominid metabolism during the Middle Miocene. Using micro computed tomography (μCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) we provide a detailed analysis and characterization of the individuals’ caries type. Its lesion is compared with a dataset of 311 wild chimpanzees, indicating morphological and etiological differences in caries formation between both species. The affected molar of D. carinthiacus reveals features known from severe dental caries in humans: (1) Cavitation with steep walls and smooth surface; (2) Reparative dentine at the roof of the pulp chamber; (3) Sclerotic dentine below the cavitation; (4) Association with dental calculus and (5) Unilateral usage of the healthy right tooth row. Its advanced primary caries, initiating on the intact enamel surface, indicates a frequent intake of highly cariogenic sugar-rich fruits, which likely exceeds the frugivory of extant chimpanzees. This finding corresponds with the associated palynological record, which infers a habitat with nearly year-round supply (9–10 months/year) of high quality foods (>carbohydrates; < fibers). Our conclusions challenge the model of a step-wise increase in dietary quality during hominid evolution and support the uricase hypothesis, which discusses the hominid autapomorphy of a fructose-based fat accumulation for periods of starvation. This model receives further validation by the identification of soft-tissue preservation, interpreted as fossilized white adipose cells, in the articulated hominid skeleton of Oreopithecus bamboli from Italy.

Evidence for Juvenile Disc Herniation in a Homo Erectus Boy Skeleton

An analysis and differential diagnosis of bony alterations in the lower lumbar vertebrae of a Homo erectus boy skeleton. To analyze low back problems during early human evolution. Back problems in modern humans are often attributed to our upright, bipedal locomotion that is thought to place huge mechanical stresses on the vertebral column. However, little is known of this situation during the course of human evolution. We analyzed the lower lumbar spine of the most complete early hominid skeleton, the 1.5-million-year-old Homo erectus boy KNM-WT 15000 from Nariokotome, Kenya, who died at an age of approximately 8 years. We use bony alterations as indirect evidence for disc disease in the absence of soft tissue. We describe an extensive osteophytic anterior curved remodeling of the left superior articular process of L5 and formation of a new joint at the underside of the left pedicle of L4. This indicates collisional facet joint subluxation, most likely as the result of juvenile traumatic disc herniation. This indirect evidence of possible juvenile disc herniation in a Homo erectus boy skeleton represents the earliest known case of this typical human ailment that is intricately linked to upright bipedalism. The extensive bony remodeling of the articular processes of L4 and L5 suggests that the disc herniation occurred several months before his death. Disabling backache and recurrent sciatica might have, at least, temporarily restricted his daily activities, which indicates advanced social care and nursing in early Homo. We hypothesize that the early Homo intervertebral discs were more vulnerable to injury compared with modern humans because of a relatively small vertebral cross-sectional area.

To be Human

we? The question of nature seems to haunt all disciplines. That may tell us how very human the question is. Answers vary widely. Yet scientists – anthropologists, geneticists, ethologists, and developmental and evolutionary biologists – rely on observations and empirical data. Their conclusions thus seem more objective. Biologically, humans primates. Linnaeus perceived that, even before Darwin. We share our anatomies and physiologies with apes and chimps. But Darwin gave this relationship special meaning. He transformed abstract taxonomy into material genealogy. Ever since, we have characterized our species by its ancestry. Identity and history have merged. Who we are is now also the story of origins: where we came from, how and why. Each new finding in evolution seems to fascinate us. The sequencing of the and chimpanzee genomes was big news (Culotta, 2005), appearing on the cover of Time magazine (Lemonick & Dorfman, 2006). Then came the Neanderthal genome (Gibbons, 2010). Ardi ( Ardipithecus ramidus ) created a sensation by replacing Lucy as the earliest known complete hominid skeleton, displayed dramatically on the cover of Science (2 October 2009). Then the human-like ape Australopithecus sediba sparked new controversy ( Science , 9 April 2010). Every new discovery generates public sensation. Add to this buzz new exhibit halls on origins at both the American Museum of Natural History (Tattersall & DeSalle, 2007) and the Smithsonian (Potts & Sloan, 2010b). And at least seven major books in the last five years, which range from surveying new fossils, vestigial traits and genomes, to profiling the uniqueness of our brains, bones, genome, and behavior (Walter, 2006; Zimmer, 2007; DeSalle & Tattersall, 2008; Gazzaniga, 2008; Roska-Hardy & Neumann-Held, 2008; Shubin, 2008; Taylor, 2009; Potts & Sloan, 2010a). And television specials (Rubin, 2008; …

Oldest hominid skeleton revealed

Oldest hominid skeleton revealed

The context of Stw 573, an early hominid skull and skeleton from Sterkfontein Member 2: taphonomy and paleoenvironment

The reconstructed taphonomic and paleoenvironmental contexts of a ca. 4 million-year-old partial hominid skeleton (Stw 573) from Sterkfontein Member 2 are described through presentation of the results of our analyses of the mammalian faunal assemblage associated stratigraphically with the hominid. The assemblage is dominated by cercopithecoids ( Parapapio and Papio) and felids ( Panthera pardus, P. leo, Felis caracal, and Felidae indet.), based on number of identified specimens, minimum number of elements and, minimum number of individuals. In addition, the assemblage is characterized by a number of partial skeletons and/or antimeric sets of bones across all taxonomic groups. There is scant indication of carnivore chewing in the assemblage. These observations, in addition to other taphonomic data, suggest that the remains of many animals recovered in Member 2 are from individuals that entered the cave on their own—whether accidentally by falling through avens connecting the cave to the ground surface above or by intentional entry—and were then unable to escape, rather than primarily through systematic collection by a biotic, bone-accumulating agent. The taphonomic conclusion that animals with climbing proclivities (i.e., primates and carnivores) are preferentially preserved over other taxa, ultimately because of those proclivities, urges caution in assessing the fidelity of the assemblage for reconstruction of the Member 2 paleoenvironment. With that caveat, we infer that the Member 2 paleoenvironment was typified by rolling, rock-littered and brush- and scrub-covered hills, indicated by the abundant F. caracal and cercopithecoid fossils recovered and the identified presence of the extinct Caprinae Makapania broomi. In addition, the valley bottom may have retained standing water year-round, perhaps supporting some tree cover—a setting suitable for the well-represented ambush predator P. pardus and suggested by the presence of Alcelaphini. Finally, the reconstructed taphonomic and paleoenvironmental settings of Sterkfontein Member 2 are compared to penecontemporaneous sites in South and East Africa.

Development, Growth and Evolution. Implications for the study of the Hominid Skeleton. Edited by PAUL O'HIGGINS and MARTIN COHN. (Pp. xiv+271; illustrated; hardback; ISBN 012 524965 9.) San Diego and London: Academic Press for the Linnean Society of London. 2000

Journal of AnatomyVolume 199, Issue 3 p. 369-372 Free Access Development, Growth and Evolution. Implications for the study of the Hominid Skeleton. Edited by PAUL O'HIGGINS and MARTIN COHN. (Pp. xiv+271; illustrated; hardback; ISBN 012 524965 9.) San Diego and London: Academic Press for the Linnean Society of London. 2000 BERNARD WOOD, BERNARD WOODSearch for more papers by this author BERNARD WOOD, BERNARD WOODSearch for more papers by this author First published: 13 December 2002 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.2001.199303694.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume199, Issue3September 2001Pages 369-372 RelatedInformation

The new hominid skeleton from Sterkfontein, South Africa: age and preliminary assessment

A new hominid skeleton from Sterkfontein Member 2 attaches to foot bones recovered from loose blocks during the 1980s and first described in 1995. Several flowstone horizons are present above and below the skeleton and have given clear palaeomagnetic signatures. Five changes in magnetic polarity have been identified; when constrained by the available biostratigraphy, this sequence can be placed confidently between 3.22 and 3.58 Ma. Interpolation of sedimentation rates over the small intervals between reversals allows this range to be reduced to 3.30–3.33 Ma. The skeleton is thus the oldest yet discovered and is considered to belong to a species of Australopithecus other than africanus. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A reappraisal of the anatomical basis for speech in Middle Palaeolithic hominids

The recovery of a fossil hominid skeleton with a complete hyoid bone from Mousterian deposits in Kebara Cave, Israel, provides new evidence pertaining to the evolution of speech. Previous studies of speech in the Middle Palaeolithic (most notably those on Neandertals) have focused on the basicranium as an indicator of speech capabilities. This work critiques the use of the basicranium and instead presents the anatomical relations of the hyoid and adjacent structures in living humans as a basis for understanding the form of the vocal tract. The size and morphology of the hyoid from Kebara and its relations to other anatomical components are almost identical to those in modern humans, suggesting that Middle Palaeolithic populations were anatomically capable of fully modern speech.

Vertebral pathology in the afar australopithecines.

Ten vertebral elements from the AL-288 partial hominid skeleton and 11 elements from the AL-333 collection are described. The AL-288 column presents a marked kyphosis at the level of thoracic vertebrae 6 through 10, with pronounced new bone formation on the ventral surfaces of these vertebrae. These features, associated with narrowed disc space and minor osteophytosis, resemble Scheuermann disease in the human. Even though this diagnosis is consistent with a basically human, bipedal locomotor repertoire, the presence of Scheuermann disease suggests that lifting, climbing, or acrobatic activities may have been important in early hominids.

Morphology of the Pliocene partial hominid skeleton (A.L. 288‐1) from the Hadar formation, Ethiopia

AbstractThe upper part of the Pliocene Hadar Formation, central Afar, Ethiopia, has yielded a 40% complete fossil hominid skeleton (A.L. 288‐1, “Lucy”). This specimen is described in detail and selected measurements and illustrations are provided.

Lucy: The Beginnings of Humankind

The story of one of the most important fossil finds in man's search for his ancestors - the 60per cent complete female hominid skeleton nicknamed Lucy. Confirming beyond doubt the early bipedal nature of human ancestors, she was discovered in 1973 in Ethiopia by a team of scientists led by Johanson.