Brandon Cervantes

Anthropology 1020
Professor Potter
Research Paper

2. Discuss the appearance of bipedalism and large brain size in the

hominid line. Describe each trait in detail, including the physical
changes in the bones that are markers for the trait. Critically evaluate
which appeared first in hominid evolution giving evidence from the
fossil record for each.

The appearance of bipedalism and large brain size is believed to have been about
6-1 million years ago. Having bipedal locomotion allows for many more abilities, for
example it allows for a wider view of surroundings, frees the hands, and is more efficient
to cover longer distances. There are also physical changes we see to determine if there
was bipedal locomotion. The pelvis would be wider and shorter for stability, the legs
would be long, closer together, and fully extended knees, the foot would be arched and
the big toe would be in line with the other toes, and they had a foramen magnum, a whole

centered in the base of the skull where the spinal cord enters which allows the body to
stay up straight.

Large brain size was an indicator of intelligence. We see that with larger brains
the hominids began to use and make there own tools. They would use certain tools and
also modify them, which shows that they knew what they were doing. Also we can see
that they had different forms of art, the more famous would be their cave drawings.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141008-cave-art-sulawesi-handscience/. In these cave drawings they would show themselves hunting animals or
performing rituals.

As time passed and more evolution took place, they created their own
technologies and new art. We see that they developed different tool technologies and
advances. We see that they began to use more specialized tools, as in serrated knives,
burin, and barbed harpoons. These were better for hunting, protection, and gathering
materials.

Also they developed a new form of art, which was called portable art. They
would put engravings on their tools and handles made from bone, ivory, antler and other
materials. They would make ceramic technology and certain figurines of animals and
other beings. This shows that they were very creative and had their own ideas.

There are theories and evidence that state that bipedalism appeared first and then
came large brain size. A great example of this was the fossil Lucy which appears to
have been bipedal but had a very small brain about the same size as a chimps. This
shows that even though some hominids were bipedal, their brains were still relatively
small and intelligence was very limited. The first signs of larger brain size were found in
the fossil records of Homo habilis skulls. Larger brains required larger skulls, thinner
skull bones and a rounder brain case.
http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/Bulletins/ED15/gifs/fig13.jpg. This shows that they
needed more room in the skulls for the brain to fit. With the skulls being bigger and the
brains being larger this allowed the hominids to be more intelligent and survive. With
more intelligence they were able to create things they needed for survival like fire,
homes, and shelter, which allowed them to survive and to evolve.

References

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141008-cave-art-sulawesihand-science/

http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/Bulletins/ED15/gifs/fig13.jpg

e-portfolio
http://sasbot.slcc.edu/webforms/eportfolio/student/eportfoliourl.aspx?u=bcervan2
~e=dqtuGZXP9GXFNzzApw5zMQ