Question

(1) Describe some of the key qualities in the anatomy and behavior of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) that help researchers distinguish Homo sapiens from other members of the genus Homo. In other words, what are key aspects of anatomically modern human anatomy and behaviors that are considered indicative of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) that can be seen in the fossil and archaeological record of the Pleistocene? Be sure to provide specific examples to support your answer.

(2) Describe some of the key reasons why it is that the consensus view in science is that anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) first evolved in Africa before populating the rest of the world. In your answer be sure to provide specific examples from the fossil, archaeological, and genetic evidence that supports this African origin for our species.

(3) Drawing from Chapters 14 and 15 of Introduction to Physical Anthropology (15th edition) by Jurmain et al. and lectures material (see Lectures File 11), explain why it is that while anthropologists recognize the existence and importance of biological variation in human populations, most do not believe that distinct biological races of modern humans exist. In your answer, be sure to describe how and why the genotypic and phenotypic evidence tends not to support the notion of distinct, clearly demarcated biological racial groups and why it is that race is a mostly social phenomenon (“social race” as opposed to “biological race”).

(4) Chapter 17 of your textbook Introduction to Physical Anthropology (Jurmain et al. 15th edition) is titled “The Human Disconnection.” Explain what is meant by this and provide examples.

Answer 1

1) All living human population belongs to Homo sapiens. Hence living human population are characterized by a wide range of anatomical and behavioral variations.

All fossilized elements of the human body provide important traces about taxonomy and behaviour.

However, cranial and dental elements have dominated most about the modern human origins.

Among fossils of the genus from Homo from last 200,000years, there has been considerable success using cranial features to distinguish among species.

For example, a features such as the presence of an inverted-T-shaped chin is present in living humans but absent in all other hominin species.

Homo sapiens skulls have a distinct shape that differentiate them from early human species.Their body shape tends to vary,however due to adaptation to a wide range of environments.Homo sapiens had bodies with short,slender trunks and long limbs.This makes the Homo sapiens different from other members of genus Homo.

2) Fossils of the earliest members of our species, archaic Homo sapiens have all been found in Africa.Fossils of modern Homo sapiens have been found in Africa and many other sites across much of the world.

Homo sapiens evolved in Africa from Homo heidelbergenisis.They co-existed for a long time in Europe and Middle East with the Neanderthals and possibly with Homo erectus in Asia and Homo floresiensis in Indonesia.

African fossils provide the best evidence for evolutionary transitions from Homo heidelbergenisis to archaic Homo sapiens and then to early modern Homo sapiens.

example 1: HERTO, a 160,000 year old partial skull discovered in 1997 in Herto, Ethiopia. This skull from an adult male and those of another adult and a child were found in 1997 and publicly announced in 2003.

They are some of the oldest fossils regarded as a sub-species of modern humans(named ) because of some slight difference in their skull features.

They show a suite of modern human traits mixed with archaic and early modern features.

example 2: FLORISBAD, a 260,000year old partial cranium discovered in 1932 in Florisbad, South Africa.The skull shows features intermediate between Homo heidelbergenisis and early modern Homo sapiens.The face is broad and massive but still relatively flat and the forehead is approaching the modern form.

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