Evidence in hand: recent discoveries and the early evolution of human manual manipulation.

Bibliographic Collection: 
APE
Publication Type: Journal Article
Authors: Kivell, Tracy L
Year of Publication: 2015
Journal: Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci
Volume: 370
Issue: 1682
Date Published: 2015 Nov 19
Publication Language: eng
ISSN: 1471-2970
Abstract:

For several decades, it was largely assumed that stone tool use and production were abilities limited to the genus Homo. However, growing palaeontological and archaeological evidence, comparative extant primate studies, as well as results from methodological advancements in biomechanics and morphological analyses, have been gradually accumulating and now provide strong support for more advanced manual manipulative abilities and tool-related behaviours in pre-Homo hominins than has been traditionally recognized. Here, I review the fossil evidence related to early hominin dexterity, including the recent discoveries of relatively complete early hominin hand skeletons, and new methodologies that are providing a more holistic interpretation of hand function, and insight into how our early ancestors may have balanced the functional requirements of both arboreal locomotion and tool-related behaviours.

DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0105
Alternate Journal: Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., B, Biol. Sci.
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