ANTHROPOLOGY 205:
HUMAN EVOLUTION/ PALEOANTHROPOLOGY
Grinnell College Spring 2002
Instructor: Charles E. Hilton Classroom: Goodnow 105
Office: Goodnow 302 Class time: MWF 2:15-3:05pm.
Phone: 641-269-4325 Office Hrs: Thurs. 3-5pm or
email: hiltonc@grinnell.edu by appt.
Course Description:
This class explores the field of paleoanthropology and will provide a detailed overview of human evolutionary history. Paleoanthropology is holistic and multidisciplinary. It includes contributions from human paleontologists, paleolithic archaeologists, geologists, zoologists, botanists and geneticists. The work of primatologists, ethnographers and ethnoarcaheologists provides insight into the lifeways of our hominid ancestors. The course will focus primarily on the hominid fossil record but will integrate information from these other research areas. Additionally, we will be concerned with how paleoanthropologists know what we know and how we can resolve some of the ongoing controversies in field
Class Requirements:
Students are expected to have a working knowledge of the human skeletal system and be familiar with the names of some of the different fossil hominid species but not necessarily with the individuals specimens associated with each species.
Grading is based in part on a midterm exam (actual date to be announced later), a final exam, and 1 research paper. The exams are each worth 100 points. Exams will come from lectures as well as from the texts and other readings. Exams consist of essay style questions and short identifications. No make-ups exams will be given unless for serious legitimate, documented reasons such as illness or death in the family.
The research paper also worth 100 points (300 total points for the class) should be approximately 12-15 pages. A typewritten abstract (<200 words) of your intended project is due 15 March. The abstract should list at least 5 references. The paper itself is due at the beginning of the last of class on Friday 10 May.
Your research paper (approved by me) should focus on a particular topic in paleoanthropology. This paper should review and analyze a specific problem related to fossil hominoids and/or hominids. For this project you should become familiar with the relevant orthopaedic, biomechanical, anatomical and evolutionary biology journals. The text of your paper should be at least 12 double-spaced pages but no longer than 15 (12pt font; 1 inch margins). Length does not include references, figures or tables.
We will also take time in Friday’s class (when appropriate) to discuss assigned articles and examine the fossil casts.
Textbooks and Readings:
Required textbook: R.G. Klein (1999) The Human Career: Human Biological and Cultural Origins. This book discusses the broad patterns associated with human evolution. It also has a excellent reference section that you can take advantage of for doing your research paper.
Johanson, D.E. and Edgar, B. (1996) From Lucy to Language. Simon and Schuster. This book is pretty much a coffee table book but it contains excellent full-size photographs of fossil specimens. The text is not bad and contains only a few minor mistakes here and there.
Optional books: L. Aiello and C. Dean (1990) An Introduction to Human Evolutionary Anatomy. Academic Press. This book is an ideal overview of hominoid comparative morphology with excellent discussions of the skeletal morphology seen in fossil hominids. It can be used a good resource for your research papers.
Additional readings will be assigned and placed on reserve throughout the semester but you will be expected to follow along with the appropriate readings in the Klein book
Course Outline
I. Background to the study of Human Evolution---Early Primate Evolution and Miocene Apes
Phylogenetic sources for the Hominidae
The functional anatomical background to Hominid origins
Readings: Klein, Chaps. 1, 3
What makes a hominid?: neontological and paleontological perspectives
The comparative and molecular framework
Late Miocene/Early Pliocene mandibles and maxillae
Readings: Klein, Chap. 4
How many species?
Arranging the samples: cladistic, phenetic and populational approaches
Readings: Klein, Chap. 4
IV. Australopithecine Behavioral Ecology:
Locomotion and posture: the feet to the crania
Manipulation: tool using versus tool making
Heads, dentition and diet
Life history variables
Readings: Klein, Chap. 4
V. The Emergence of the Genus Homo
Again, how many species and why?
Australopithecus versus Homo
Anatomy for a behavioral shift
What is the Oldowan and who is responsible?
Readings: Klein, Chap. 5
VI. H. ergaster and the first migration of hominids out of Africa
The emergence of a new lineage
WT15000
The relationship to the early Acheulian/Developed Oldowan
Readings: Klein, Chap. 5
Biological trends through time: brains and bodies
The Acheulian complex
The identification of regional lineages
Adaptive shifts into the later Middle Pleistocene
Readings: Klein, Chap. 5
Behavioral questions:
Locomotion, manipulation, diet, intelligence, life history, thermal adaptations
Readings: Klein, Chap. 6
Replacement vs. Multiregional vs. Evolutionary Biology
Anatomically Modern Humans versus Behaviorally Modern Humans: What really changed and when?
Readings: Klein, Chap. 7
Readings: Klein, Chap. 8
Final Exam: Thursday, 16 May 2pm