Compare each of the different hominid species (1-4) with the following questions: A

Compare each of the different hominid species (1-4) with the following questions: A. afarensisH. habilisH. erectus

1.  

2.  
3.  
4. Modern Human

Size of braincase

Cranial Shape- Is the skull longer front to back?

Sagittal crest?

Sagittal keel?

What is the shape of the occipital region? Is there a nuchal torus?

Height of Skull. How much skull is above the supraorbital ridge?

Shape of the facial profile. (Scoop out, Flat, etc)

What is the shape of the chin area? Does it recede? Is it vertical? Does it protrude?

Size of the braincase? Smaller or larger? Relative to the face.

Much or little postorbital constriction?

What is the position of the foramen magnum? Center, more toward posterior of the skull?

Location of the maximum skull breadth?

Robusticity of the zygomatic arches. Do they come far out?

Now answer the follow up questions with the information you've gathered:

1)   You have observed many features. Which ones appear to be associated with the size of the braincase?

2)   What features does Homo erectus have that are not found in any of the other species?