Unit 2:
Hominid Studies
Classification Of Hominids
● Hominids are a taxonomic family of primates that includes modern humans (Homo
sapiens) and their closest extinct relatives. This family also comprises various extinct
species of early humans, such as Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) and
Homoerectus, among others.
● Hominids are characterized by their bipedal (two-legged) locomotion, relatively large
brains compared to other primates, and sophisticated tool-making abilities. They are
part of the larger group called hominoids, which includes all great apes, such as
chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos, as well as humans.
, Anatomical1 Similarities Between African Apes and Humans
● Humans share the following characteristics with
other primates
❖ Opposable thumbs that allow monkeys to
have a power grip
Humans have power grip as well as
precision grip (fine motor abilities)
❖ Two hands each with five fingers
❖ 2 feet each with five toes
❖ Long arms that rotate freely
❖ Shoulder joints that allow movement in all directions
❖ Naked fingertips
❖ Toes ending and flat nails
❖ A reduced snout, with Weeknd sense of smell
❖ Stereoscopic vision as the eyes face forward, providing depth of field
❖ Eyes have cones as well as rods, making color vision possible
❖ Brain centers that processes information from hands and eyes are enlarged
❖ No tail
❖ Sexual de morph ism, we’re males, and females are clearly distinguished
❖ Have molars and premolars with rounded cusps
1
Anatomical refers to anything related to anatomy, which is the branch of science that deals with the
structure and organization of living organisms. In particular, anatomical studies focus on the body's
internal and external structures and their relationships with each other.
, Anatomical Di erences Between African Apes and Humans
African Apes Humans
Quadra pedal, knuckle walkers bipedal, walk upright on two legs
foreman magnum, opening for spinal cord foreman magnum, closer to front of skull ,
at back of the skull Central under skull
C-shaped vertebral column arm, shorter and weaker than legs
arms longer and stronger than legs knee joints, larger and stronger
knee joints are smaller and weaker non-opposable toes as big toe in line with
others
opposable, big toe with power grip curved foot arch
flat feet shorts and wide pelvis
long and narrow pelvis large developed brain
smaller less developed brain smaller, canines, the same size as other
teeth
large, prominent canines thick tooth enamel
send tooth enamel round job with developed chin, reduced
prognathism
large prominent jawbone with no chin, narrow, flat face
prognathism
wider, sloping face wider more curved pallet
narrow, rectangular pallet reduced cranial and brow ridges
prominence, cranial, and brow ridges S shaped vertebral column
Hominid Studies
Classification Of Hominids
● Hominids are a taxonomic family of primates that includes modern humans (Homo
sapiens) and their closest extinct relatives. This family also comprises various extinct
species of early humans, such as Homo neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) and
Homoerectus, among others.
● Hominids are characterized by their bipedal (two-legged) locomotion, relatively large
brains compared to other primates, and sophisticated tool-making abilities. They are
part of the larger group called hominoids, which includes all great apes, such as
chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos, as well as humans.
, Anatomical1 Similarities Between African Apes and Humans
● Humans share the following characteristics with
other primates
❖ Opposable thumbs that allow monkeys to
have a power grip
Humans have power grip as well as
precision grip (fine motor abilities)
❖ Two hands each with five fingers
❖ 2 feet each with five toes
❖ Long arms that rotate freely
❖ Shoulder joints that allow movement in all directions
❖ Naked fingertips
❖ Toes ending and flat nails
❖ A reduced snout, with Weeknd sense of smell
❖ Stereoscopic vision as the eyes face forward, providing depth of field
❖ Eyes have cones as well as rods, making color vision possible
❖ Brain centers that processes information from hands and eyes are enlarged
❖ No tail
❖ Sexual de morph ism, we’re males, and females are clearly distinguished
❖ Have molars and premolars with rounded cusps
1
Anatomical refers to anything related to anatomy, which is the branch of science that deals with the
structure and organization of living organisms. In particular, anatomical studies focus on the body's
internal and external structures and their relationships with each other.
, Anatomical Di erences Between African Apes and Humans
African Apes Humans
Quadra pedal, knuckle walkers bipedal, walk upright on two legs
foreman magnum, opening for spinal cord foreman magnum, closer to front of skull ,
at back of the skull Central under skull
C-shaped vertebral column arm, shorter and weaker than legs
arms longer and stronger than legs knee joints, larger and stronger
knee joints are smaller and weaker non-opposable toes as big toe in line with
others
opposable, big toe with power grip curved foot arch
flat feet shorts and wide pelvis
long and narrow pelvis large developed brain
smaller less developed brain smaller, canines, the same size as other
teeth
large, prominent canines thick tooth enamel
send tooth enamel round job with developed chin, reduced
prognathism
large prominent jawbone with no chin, narrow, flat face
prognathism
wider, sloping face wider more curved pallet
narrow, rectangular pallet reduced cranial and brow ridges
prominence, cranial, and brow ridges S shaped vertebral column
