Not offered in 2001. This unit examines the evolution of our species through a survey of the hominid fossil record and associated archaeological materials. Persistent themes will be why there are hominids and how the evolution of our species differs from that in other hominoid primates. The unit begins with a series of lectures providing background information on methodological and theoretical issues. These are designed to improve your ability to critically assess and understand the published literature.
Topics range from dating to phylogenetic reconstruction and aspects of primate anatomy.
The main part of the unit is concerned with the Pliocene African sites and the first hominids. Emphasis will be placed on behavioural and physiological models for the evolution of bipedal locomotion, reconstruction of hominid diet, evidence for increasing encephalisation and body size and the interaction between cultural and biological processes. Other topics of importance in this unit are the origins and dispersion of Homo sapiens and the factors which have influenced the evolution, divergence and adaptation of our species during the Holocene. There will be one practical report, one essay and an end of semester examination. Prescribed Book Conroy, G.C. 1997.