Human Fossils: New Views of Old Bones.

摘要: IT IS AN HONOR AND A distinct pleasure to be invited talk you this morning about some of the research that has kept me happy for more than two decades. Although I am interested in all aspects evolution prosimians, monkeys, apes, and humans, one problem which have been deeply engaged is assessment those fossils known as australopithecines found Africa at sites such Sterkfontein, Olduvai, Kromdraai Makapansgat. In sense may think there no problem. For most anthropologists are agreed (fig. 1) gracile from Sterkfontein Olduvai on main human lineage (and other robust Makapansgat a clearly related close side line). This view presented almost textbooks; expect it your teaching classroom; widely broadcast publications "Time-Life Series" beautiful story "The Ascent Man." However, anatomical features these provide warning against too-ready acceptance story, small number investigators over many years not failed point them out (Zuckerman 1965). addition, my work demonstrates we should cautious; is, part, because techniques can now used study fossil remains. When started working problems chief method available evaluate was sharpness eye keeness mind behind eye. measurements were often taken, main, evaluation depended visual observation mental comparison with fossils, course, case believed lead living humans sometimes primates. time-honored extraordinarily powerful (for excellent computers kind). But merely remember cases like Piltdown Man, turned fraudulent composite genuine skull cap modern ape jaw, or Hesperopithecus, West, eventually discovered peccary, even completely different portraits drawn facial creature Zinjanthropus (Campbell 1964), realize also inherent difficulties. These difficulties arise we, ourselves, objects under study. Though might examples given above rare extreme, consideration following highlights degree affect evolution. spite rather large amount done various australopithecine Africa, primary evidence supports creatures bipedal manner still original pelvis by Sir Wilfrid Le Gros Clark (1959). His opinion depends upon shape pelvic bones shown figure 2. There little doubt any minds top row shows (a) apes (represented here, left, chimpanzee) (both normal-size adult pygmy), (b) best pelves (at time, Sterkfontein) remarkably similar humans. The information picture obtained when oriented plane iliac blade. possible specimens way ischio-pubic part bone 2: bottom row). practically every will agree resembles markedly chimpanzee; both Charles E. Oxnard Dean Graduate School University Professor departments biological sciences anatomy, Southern California, Park, Los Angeles, 90007. He received his education Birmingham, United Kingdom, he B.Sc. degree, M.B., Ch.B. (equivalent an M.D. country), Ph.D. D.Sc. degree. practiced medicine, taught anthropology, evolutionary biology. College, Chicago 1973 1978. include three books well numerous anatomical, zoological, anthropological, scientific journals primate functional anatomy diseases article based presentation National Association Biology Teachers Annual Meeting held October