Skinner, Matthew M., Stephens, Nicholas, Tsegai, Zewdi J., Foote, Alexandra, Nguyen, N Huynh, Gross, Thomas, Pahr, Dieter H, Hublin, Jean-Jacques, Kivell, Tracy L. (2015) Human-like hand use in Australopithecus africanus. Science, 347 (6220). pp. 395-399. ISSN 0036-8075. E-ISSN 1095-9203. (doi:10.1126/science.1261735) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:48049)
| The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided. | |
| Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1261735 |
Abstract
The distinctly human ability for forceful precision and power “squeeze” gripping is linked to two key evolutionary transitions in hand use: a reduction in arboreal climbing and the manufacture and use of tools. However, it is unclear when these locomotory and manipulative transitions occurred. Here we show that Australopithecus africanus (~3 to 2 million years ago) and several Pleistocene hominins, traditionally considered not to have engaged in habitual tool manufacture, have a human-like trabecular bone pattern in the metacarpals consistent with forceful opposition of the thumb and fingers typically adopted during tool use. These results support archaeological evidence for stone tool use in australopiths and provide morphological evidence that Pliocene hominins achieved human-like hand postures much earlier and more frequently than previously considered.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| DOI/Identification number: | 10.1126/science.1261735 |
| Subjects: |
Q Science Q Science > QM Human anatomy |
| Divisions: | Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation |
| Funders: | [37325] UNSPECIFIED |
| Depositing User: | Tracy Kivell |
| Date Deposited: | 24 Apr 2015 21:53 UTC |
| Last Modified: | 05 Nov 2024 10:31 UTC |
| Resource URI: | https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/48049 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
University of Kent Author Information
Skinner, Matthew M..
| Creator's ORCID: |
 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8321-3543
|
|---|---|
| CReDIT Contributor Roles: |
Tsegai, Zewdi J..
| Creator's ORCID: |
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9041-4829
|
|---|---|
| CReDIT Contributor Roles: |
Kivell, Tracy L..
| Creator's ORCID: |
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5087-0897
|
|---|---|
| CReDIT Contributor Roles: |
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