Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Form, function and evolution of the human hand

Kivell, Tracy L., Baraki, Niguss, Lockwood, VA, Williams-Hatala, Erin Marie, Wood, Bernard A. (2022) Form, function and evolution of the human hand. American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 181 (S76). pp. 6-57. ISSN 2692-7691. (doi:10.1002/ajpa.24667) (KAR id:98314)

PDF Publisher pdf
Language: English


Download this file
(PDF/9MB)
[thumbnail of T. Kivell - Form function and evolution of the human hand - PPDF.pdf]
Preview
Request a format suitable for use with assistive technology e.g. a screenreader
PDF Author's Accepted Manuscript
Language: English

Restricted to Repository staff only

Contact us about this Publication
[thumbnail of YBA_Review_hand_evolution_FINAL_17.11.2022_ACCEPTED_complete.pdf]
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24667

Abstract

The modern human hand is an intriguing mix of primitive morphology and derived function. Traditionally, its form and function are explained as a functional ‘trade-off’ between the requirements of locomotion and manipulation, but recently acquired comparative, experimental and fossil evidence suggests that this functional trade-off is more complex than conventional wisdom suggests. Moreover, when studying hand evolution within the hominin clade, the only morphological evidence comes from the hard-tissues, and evidence about hand function must be inferred indirectly from the archaeological record. We lack information about critical aspects of hand form (e.g., soft tissues) and function (e.g., neurology) as well as non-lithic evidence about behavior. Thus, comparative anatomical, experimental and ethological studies of modern humans and other primates are critical to making more informed inferences about hand use in the past. We review the relevant fossil and archaeological evidence within the relevant comparative context (e.g., other extant apes and dexterous monkeys) in an attempt to reconstruct hand evolution within the hominin clade. We conclude by summarizing our current understanding—or lack thereof—of the evolutionary history of the modern human hand.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1002/ajpa.24667
Projects: 819960
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation
Funders: European Research Council (https://ror.org/0472cxd90)
Depositing User: Tracy Kivell
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2022 09:20 UTC
Last Modified: 13 Jul 2023 11:31 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/98314 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.