Difference between revisions of "5. Characteristics of H. Habilis"
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| + | Homo habilis differs from Australopithecus at the base of the skull. The foramen magnum (the opening for the spinal chord) is closer to the middle of the skull and the skull base is reduced in length but increased in width. The face decreased in width and the nasal opening was more sharply defined. The postcanine teeth were smaller than in Australopithecus. | ||
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| + | Its cranial capacity was 500 to 800 cc. and values increase from the earliest specimens to latest ones. This range overlaps with Australopithecus at the low end and Homo erectus at the high end. It can be debated (indeed, there has been a debate several decades long) on whether early H. habilis should be classified as Australopithecus and late H. habilis should be called Homo erectus. H. habilis stood approximately 5 foot tall and weighed 100 pounds with females being smaller than males (Leakey, 1973b; Wood, 1987; Leakey, 1971b; Hughes, 1977; Johansen, 1987; Bilsburough, 1988; Tobias, 1972). Early Homo populations coexisted with australopithecines (Johanson, 1976). | ||
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| + | In one brain endocast, there is a bulge corresponding to Broca’s area (an important speech center) in modern human brains. Two aspects of wrist bones (the scaphoid tubercle and the articular surface of the trapezium) were chimp-like. The thumb was similar to humans in the carpo-metacarpal joint and the flattened metacarpal surface. The foot was less flexible than in chimps and its degree of possible abduction was limited. Some characteristics of the lower leg were primitive and others were advanced, not found in any ape (Susman, 1982; Skelton, 1986). | ||
Revision as of 08:51, 17 September 2013
Return to History 8 Human Origins Concepts
Homo habilis differs from Australopithecus at the base of the skull. The foramen magnum (the opening for the spinal chord) is closer to the middle of the skull and the skull base is reduced in length but increased in width. The face decreased in width and the nasal opening was more sharply defined. The postcanine teeth were smaller than in Australopithecus.
Its cranial capacity was 500 to 800 cc. and values increase from the earliest specimens to latest ones. This range overlaps with Australopithecus at the low end and Homo erectus at the high end. It can be debated (indeed, there has been a debate several decades long) on whether early H. habilis should be classified as Australopithecus and late H. habilis should be called Homo erectus. H. habilis stood approximately 5 foot tall and weighed 100 pounds with females being smaller than males (Leakey, 1973b; Wood, 1987; Leakey, 1971b; Hughes, 1977; Johansen, 1987; Bilsburough, 1988; Tobias, 1972). Early Homo populations coexisted with australopithecines (Johanson, 1976).
In one brain endocast, there is a bulge corresponding to Broca’s area (an important speech center) in modern human brains. Two aspects of wrist bones (the scaphoid tubercle and the articular surface of the trapezium) were chimp-like. The thumb was similar to humans in the carpo-metacarpal joint and the flattened metacarpal surface. The foot was less flexible than in chimps and its degree of possible abduction was limited. Some characteristics of the lower leg were primitive and others were advanced, not found in any ape (Susman, 1982; Skelton, 1986).
