6. Growth, Development, and Life History in Hominin Evolution
- David R. Begun
Published Online: 14 JAN 2013
DOI: 10.1002/9781118332344.ch6
Copyright © Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Book Title
A Companion to Paleoanthropology
Additional Information
How to Cite
Kelley, J. and Bolter, D. Growth, Development, and Life History in Hominin Evolution, in A Companion to Paleoanthropology (ed D. R. Begun), Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford. doi: 10.1002/9781118332344.ch6
Publication History
- Published Online: 14 JAN 2013
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9781444331165
Online ISBN: 9781118332344
- Summary
- Chapter
- References
Keywords:
- cranial capacity;
- dental development;
- fossil species;
- hominin evolution;
- Miocene hominoids
Summary
This chapter talks about life history in hominin evolution, as discerned largely through cranial capacity and dental development, and postcranial skeletal growth. The discussion can largely be framed around key debates concerning Plio-Pleistocene hominin life history, growth, and development: 1) whether the timing of dental eruption, skeletal fusion, and stature growth in hominins is more ape-like, human-like, neither or both; and 2) when in the fossil record can a substantially human life-history pattern be discerned. The chapter also briefly discusses life-history inferences in Miocene hominoids as a prelude to the discussion of hominins.