Name:_______________________________ Date:____________________ Period:_________ HOMINID SKULL LAB Introduction You are an archaeologist/anthropologist that is in charge of determining the evolutionary

relationships between fossils that have been discovered in recent years, believed to be the remains of human ancestors. These skulls are all hominids, a group which includes all the modern great apes and their ancestors. For the time being, the tools available to you are calipers, rulers, and the skulls themselves. Brainstorm a. What are some characteristics that distinguish both humans and other primates (apes, monkeys, lemurs, etc.) from other orders of animals?

b.

What are some characteristics that distinguish humans from other primates?

c.

Skull characteristics:
Sagital crest height (if present)

Brow ridge width Head height

Head length

Head breadth

Maxilla (Upper jaw) Maxillary angle Mandible (Lower jaw) Foramen magnum Opisthocranion-opisthion distance (cm) Opisthocranion-oral distance (cm)

Formulas: Opisthion Index = (Opisthocranion-opisthion distance (cm) / opisthocranion-orale distance (cm)) X 100
*An opisthion index greater than 15 means that the foramen magnum is situated close to the center of the cranium. This position is usually found in species that stand upright (bipedal). An opisthion index less than 15 means the foramen magnum is situated in the rear of the cranium. This position is found in species that walk on their knuckles or on four legs.

Cranial Capacity = Head Length x Head Breadth x Head Height

Record data: Data Skull Characteristic: Type

A. Opisthocranion-opisthion distance (cm) B. Opisthocranion-oral distance (cm)

Your Skull

Skull 1

Skull 2

Skull 3

Skull 4

Skull 5

QUANTITATIVE DATA QUALITATIVE DATA

C. Opisthion Index (AB x 100) (no units) D. Head Length (cm) E. Head Breadth (cm) F. Head Height (cm) G. Cranial Capacity (cm3) (D x E x F) Sagital crest present or absent?

Brow ridge thickness - describe

Overall size of teeth - describe

Size of different teeth (I.C.P.M.) describe; is one type significantly larger?

Maxillary angle - descrbe

Record data: Data Skull Characteristic: Type

A. Opisthocranion-opisthion distance (cm) B. Opisthocranion-oral distance (cm)

Skull 6

Skull 7

Skull 8

Skull 9

Skull 10

QUANTITATIVE DATA

C. Opisthion Index (AB x 100) (no units) D. Head Length (cm) E. Head Breadth (cm) F. Head Height (cm) G. Cranial Capacity (cm3) (D x E x F) Sagital crest present or absent?

Brow ridge thickness - describe

QUALITATIVE DATA

Overall size of teeth - describe

Size of different teeth (I.C.P.M.) describe; is one type significantly larger? Maxillary angle describe

Features that define humans as primates:

Can use limbs to grab hold of things Opposable thumbs allow hands to grasp objects Long, thin, straight fingers allow fine motor skills for obtaining food or using tools Finger pads and finger prints, lack of claws, fingernails instead Shoulder sockets allow arms to make complete circles increased range of movement Forward facing eyes stereoscopic vision (seeing in 3D) Highly developed brain

PBS NOVE APE GENIUS (youtube)