ARCH8411 Paleoanthropology

Not offered in 2013

2012

4.5

1 x 1-hour lecture weekly
1 x 1-hour tutorial weekly

ARCH2210 has been successfully completed

This topic provides an introduction to human evolution through an examination of the hominin fossil lineage commencing with the earliest known fossil primates such as Plesiadapis through to our species Homo sapiens. The topic will use fossil casts to help illustrate the evolution of the hominin lineage and seek to place the fossil record in its correct palaeoenvironmental and archaeological context. The subject will cover aspects such as dating hominin sites, reconstructing palaeoenvironmental context and basic skeletal anatomy.

This topic aims to:

address the roles of biological and cultural variables in the evolution of hominin diversity
examine physical and behavioural variability in non-human primates, early hominids and modern humans
explore the variety of environmental and, later, cultural contexts in which biological variables provide a significant influence on human evolution
develop critical thinking and written presentation skills

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

provide explanations for the origins and diversification of our species through a clear understanding of evolutionary trends within the hominin lineage, employing theories and methods derived from evolutionary biology, biological anthropology, palaeoecology and archaeology
critically evaluate the use of evolutionary theory in understanding human evolution and be familiar with ongoing debate and controversy in human evolution
critically evaluate differences and similarities between modern humans and archaic hominin species through working directly with fossil casts

Key dates and timetable

Timetable details for 2012 are no longer published.

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