Class Slides Set 15B

The Upper Body

Homosapien & Primate

Brachiation(from "limb" or "branch”

to

Erect Walking

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 121

Skeleton of a brachiator (gibbon)

The upper body . . .

Human skeleton (Homo sapiens) – bipedal hominid.

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 429

Spine has become more massive and rigid, with fewer vertebrae . . .

Humans developed an

S-curved backbone(rather than one with a simple curve)

Human vertebral column (lateral view).

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 243

Chest has become wider and more barrel-like

Modern human skeleton

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 429

Shoulders have broadened

Human skeleton (Homo sapiens) – bipedal hominid.

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 429

Relatively longer necks have developed

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 223

Modern human skeleton

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 190

The arms and hands . . .

The forelimbs of apes have become strengthened and elongated

(relative to the length of the body)

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 240

Homo habilis

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 223

Modern human skeleton

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 113

Gorilla

Hands

become more hand-like . . .

Humankind Emerging, 7th ed., p. 174+

Power grip – (“prehensility”)

a grip involving all fingers of the hand equally, as in grasping a baseball

Precision grip –(“opposability”)

a grip that involves opposing the tip of the thumb to the tips of the

other fingers

Hand anatomy.

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 9th ed., p. 435

Primate (Macaque) hand

Understanding Physical Anthropology and Archaeology, 8th ed., p. 121

The Primates, Time-Life (1974) p. 126

Two-year-old Baboon

The SkullContinue on to Set # 16A