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Published on: December 15, 2010
Hand function and tool behavior in early hominids
1Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Stony Brook, NY 11794-8081, USA. rsusman@mail.som.sunyb.edu
Journal of Human Evolution
|July 29, 1998
Summary
Studies of early hominid hands reveal insights into tool behavior evolution. Research supports Napier
Area of Science:
- Paleoanthropology
- Primate Functional Morphology
- Evolution of Tool Behavior
Background:
- The discovery of the Olduvai Hominid 7 hand (Homo habilis) spurred research into early hominid hand function and tool use.
- Subsequent recovery of hand bones from various East and South African species, alongside new hominid finds and archaeological data, has expanded understanding.
- Ongoing scientific debate addresses the interpretation of fossil evidence for hominid tool behavior evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the functional morphology of early hominid hands.
- To understand the evolution of tool behavior in relation to hand anatomy.
- To evaluate current methodologies for interpreting fossil evidence of tool use.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of hand bone morphology in extant primates and fossil hominids.
- Application of Napier's model identifying morphological correlates of precision and power grasping.
- Critical review of existing evidence and interpretive approaches for early hominid tool behavior.
Main Results:
- Morphological characteristics associated with precision and power grasping are identifiable in early hominid hand bones.
- The study supports Napier's model for interpreting grasping capabilities based on hand bone structure.
- Limitations exist in identifying more subtle aspects of precision grasping from the current fossil record.
Conclusions:
- The functional morphology of early hominid hands provides crucial data for understanding the evolution of tool behavior.
- Napier's model offers a robust framework for assessing grasping capabilities in fossil hominids.
- Further research is needed to refine interpretations of subtle grasping abilities and the evolution of tool use.
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