Human-like hand use in Australopithecus africanus
2015; American Association for the Advancement of Science; Volume: 347; Issue: 6220 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1126/science.1261735
ISSN1095-9203
AutoresMatthew M. Skinner, Nicholas B. Stephens, Zewdi J. Tsegai, Alexandra C. Foote, Huynh Nhu Nguyễn, Thomas Groß, Dieter H. Pahr, Jean‐Jacques Hublin, Tracy L. Kivell,
Tópico(s)Primate Behavior and Ecology
ResumoThe 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.
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