2. Hominins (us) review… Defined by dental features, bipedal locomotion, large brain size, and tool making behavior Characteristics that developed at different rates, called mosaic evolution

3. Biocultural Evolution: The Human Capacity for Culture All aspects of human adaptation, including technology, traditions, language, religion, marriage patterns, and social roles. Culture is a set of learned behaviors; it is transmitted from one generation to the next through learning and not by biological or genetic means. Material culture is part of the cultural complex…

4. Oldowan Tool Industry The Oldowan is the first known industrial complex in prehistory. It takes its name from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania Oldowan tool use is estimated to have begun about 2.5 million years ago (mya), lasting to as late as 0.5 mya. It is thought that Oldowan tools were produced by several species of hominids ranging from late Australopithecus to early Homo. Chopping tool Biface tool

5. Anthropologists who study this stuff… Paleoanthropologists. They study early humans. Paleoanthropologists reconstruct the anatomy, behavior, and ecology of our ancestors: It is a diverse multidisciplinary pursuit seeking to reconstruct every bit of information possible concerning the dating, anatomy, behavior, and ecology of our hominin ancestors. Locate early hominin sites, collect faunal remains and artifacts

6. Dating (relative) Relative dating methods. These tell you that something is older or younger than something else – Stratigraphy- based on the law of superposition, which states that a lower layer is older than a higher one – Flourine analysis, used to date remains of bone – Biostratigraphy – paleomagnetism

7. Dating (absolute) Absoulte dating methods – Chronometric (Absolute) dating methods are based on calendar years – K/Ar, or potassium argon method used to date materials in the 5-1 mya range – Carbon-14 method used to date organic material extending back to 75,000 years – Thermoluminescence – Uranium series dating – Electron spin resonance (ESR)

8. Early Hominoid – Where to Look? Rift Valley of East Africa Southern Africa 3 Major Groups Pre-australopiths (7-4.4mya) Australopiths (4.2- 1 mya) Early Homo (2.4 – 1.4)

9. How far back? 7 – 8 million years 70% of our history resides in Africa Extensive changes in the last 10 years 1992 3-4 million 1998 4.4 2000 6 2003 7 million

10. Sahelanthropus tchadensis 6-7 mya Beginnings to see Hominid trends Brain case same as chimps 320-380cc

11. Sahelanthropus tchadensis 6-7 mya Beginnings to see Hominid trends Brain case same as chimps 320-380cc The dentition, canines reduced

12. Sahelanthropus tchadensis 6-7 mya Beginnings to see Hominid trends Brain case same as chimps 320-380cc The dentition, canines reduced Brain case being moved back, tucked under the brain vault

13. Sahelanthropus tchadensis 6-7 mya Beginnings to see Hominid trends Brain case same as chimps 320-380cc The dentition, canines reduced Brain case being moved back, tucked under the brain vault Primitive braincase, but hominoid facial features and canine teeth

14. Sahelanthropus tchadensis 6-7 mya Beginnings to see Hominid trends Brain case same as chimps 320-380cc The dentition, canines reduced Brain case being moved back, tucked under the brain vault Primitive braincase, but hominoid facial features and canine teeth Probable Bipedal