Term
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Definition
Why do we look the way we do?
Why do we do the things we do? |
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Term
| Which methods can we use to learn about our evolutionary past? |
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Definition
Comparative method = Primatology
Fossil record = Paleantology
Archeological record = Archeology |
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Term
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Definition
Reasoning by homology (shared with ancestors).
Reasoning by analogy (shared by evolution of traits in unrelated species due to similar functions). |
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Term
| Paleontology and Paleoanthropology |
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Definition
Study of prehistoric life, including organisms' evolution and their interactions with each other.
Paleoanthropology is the study of prehistoric HUMAN life.
Main evidence from fossil record. |
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Term
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Definition
| Mineralized or otherwise preserved remains of organisms. |
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Term
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Definition
1. Death and decomposition (lack of oxygen, water helps)
2. Sedimentation (rapid burial, prevents further decomposition)
3. Mineralization (minerals replace organic tissue, needs PRESSURE and TIME)
4. Uplift - brings fossils closer to surface
5. Erosion - exposes fossil bed. |
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Term
| Crucial information about fossils |
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Definition
Where was it found (distribution)? - Grassland, lakes, woodland, savannah.
When was it found? - time frame. Absolute vs Relative dating (year estimate vs. sequence estimate)
What/who is it? - Mostly skeletal (common)? Behaviour (rarer, footprints?)? DNA (very recent fossils only)? Growth and life history (very rare)? How complete/damaged is it and what does it tell us (eg. intermembral index)? Which species (new or old, ancestor or side-branch)? |
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Term
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Definition
Looks for unstable radioactive isotopes decaying. If we know the rate and proportion of this decay, we can find the age of a fossil.
eg. Potassium-argon dating (volcanic), carbon 14/12 dating (organic). |
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Term
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Definition
| Tells us which layers are older and younger. Supplements absolute (radioactive) dating, because absolute is not always possible. |
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Term
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Definition
The study of past human societies, mostly through material culture left behind.
Main evidence is ARCHEOLOGICAL RECORD (artifacts/architecture). |
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Term
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Definition
| Fossils and archeological records overlap, beginning with STONE TOOLS (~2.6 MYA). Where, when what? |
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Term
| Archeological record - what? |
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Definition
| Mostly behaviour: Hunting/scavenging, cooking, art, cognitive skills, etc. |
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