Essays on Physical Anthropology

Human beings are unique in their quest to understand the origin of life, and the urge rationalize nature and the world that surrounds them. We have developed various disciplines to better understand the natural world around us (Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology) and ourselves (Psychology, Physiology etc.). Anthropology is a discipline that tries to understand what it means to be human by looking at biological, evolutionary, cultural, and linguistic aspects. The word “Anthropology” is derived from Greek “Anthropos” meaning human and “Logos” meaning word(Lewis, Jurmain, & Kilgore, 2012). There are four major subfields of anthropology viz., biological, archeological, linguistic and ...

Describe which general fossil primate groups appear and radiate during the following geological epochs: Eocene, Miocene, Pliocene, Pleistocene. For each of the geological epochs, identify the general primate group that first appears and radiates during that epoch. In addition, give the time range in millions of years for each epoch and provide at least one example of a specific primate genus and/ or species that is representative of each general primate group. 2. List and briefly describe at least five elements of the post-cranial anatomy found in humans, but not in apes, that facilitate efficient bipedal locomotion. Provide specific ...

Evolution is defined as the process by which living organisms are believed to have developed and diversified from various current forms into their current state. Evolution can be stated as having commenced at the same period of time life began. Since then, the first organisms have undergone significant changes throughout the years in gradual process that has seen their transformation into the forms they exist in today. Anthropology, which is associated with the study of human development since the inception of human life, pays close attention to the evolution of mankind. This is achieved through the branch of anthropology ...

Physical Anthropology is described as one of the branches of anthropology that specifically deals with the aspect of evolutionary biology, genetics, physical variation, classification and human development .

1. PALEOANTHROPOLOGY - is one of the subjects under physical anthropology that focuses on the study of fossil records to unlock the secrets of the puzzle that is human evolution.

2. NEUROANTHROPOLOGY - is a subject in physical anthropology that talks about the evolutionary process and transformation of the brain and how it influences human evolutionary behavior. It’s also known as the link between anthropology and neuroscience that tackles the subject of ...

Homo Erectus

The evolution of the vertebral column has been quite unclear ascribed to limited fossils of Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene hominids. However, the few samples discovered, have contributed significantly to the development of knowledge in line to evolution and understanding of the postcranial skeleton or otherwise the hominids. The distinctive features which encompass dental and cranial pieces avail the earliest evidence of hominids and their existence (Jurmain, Kilgore &Trevathan, 2009). The immediate hominid ancestors, as well as the modern humans, are discerned from apes by more perceptible features than the teeth and jaw dimensions (Jurmain, Kilgore &Trevathan, 2009). Examples of the ...