Humanities Homework Help

Q1 Describe the features of the skeleton that indicate Lucy was bipedal.

Q2 Which aspects of Lucy’s post-cranial skeleton are apelike and are adapted for life in the trees? Note–post-cranial means from the neck down (no head).

Q3 You will now examine skulls from several 3D model collections from the Sketchfab site:Primates- A 3D Model CollectionLinks to an external site. ; Fossil Hominins: A 3D Model Collection Links to an external site.and Skulls: A 3D Model CollectionLinks to an external site.

Examine the Australopithecus afarensisLinks to an external site. skull and compare it to that of the Pan troglodytesLinks to an external site. chimpanzee and Homo sapiens sapiensLinks to an external site. (human) skulls. Answer the questions below about A. afarensis skull, relative to both the chimpanzee and the human.

1. Size of cranium in relation to size of face. Does A. afarensis have a large face and small cranium or vice versa? Is it more similar overall to the chimp or the human?

2. Describe the degree of prognathism in A. afarensis. Is it more similar to the chimp or the human? View the skull in side view. The more the lower face protrudes out, the greater the degree of prognathism.

3. Degree of post-orbital constriction. To asses this, rotate the skull to view the top of the cranium. Skulls that are more constricted or “pinched-in” behind the eyes have a greater degree of post-orbital constriction. This is directly related to brain size, especially the size of the frontal lobe. Which does A. afarensis more closely resemble?

4. Describe the canine teeth of A. afarensis (only the upper or maxillary teeth are available). How do they compare to that of the chimpanzee and the human

Make sure to answer all four questions and to number your responses.

Q4From the readings and lecture, familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the robust australopithecines (sometimes classified under the genus Paranthropus). Then navigate to the following site: Fossil Hominins: A 3D Model Collection Links to an external site.

View the following skulls from multiple perspectives:
Australopithecus africanusLinks to an external site.

Australopithecus boiseiLinks to an external site.

Australopithecus aethiopicusLinks to an external site.

Answer the following question: Which of the above 3 species would you classify as robust australopithecines, and what specific characteristics support this classification?