Hominins

Fossils and the Fossil Record

• Fossils are any remnant of ancient life (bone, footprint, preserved muscle tissue…etc.)

• The fossil record is the entire collection of fossils left behind by all organisms on earth.

Paleoanthropology

• Paleoanthropology is the study of our extinct ancestors (and close relatives) through the fossil record.

Common Ancestry

• Around 7 million years ago there was a common ancestor to both the African Apes and the organisms known as hominins.

Hominins

• Hominins are the branch of Hominoidea to which humans and our ancestors belong to.

Hominoid Evolution

Bipedalism

• Hominins are habitually bipedal primates.

• Bipedalism refers to walking on two legs.

Bipedalism

• Bipedalism is the characteristic that defines hominins. But what advantages does walking on two legs offer? And why might it have been a useful adaptation?

Bipedalism

• Vigilance Model

• Carrying Model

• Heat Dissipation Model

• Energy Efficiency Model

• Foraging/Harvesting Model

• Display Model