![]() Chimpanzees are typically seen on all fours as a quadruped, but they do possess the ability to stand bipedally (on the two rear legs). (Haviland)įeatures of a chimpanzee include a clavicle, a foramen magnum that is shifted forward (when compared to other mammals) grasping extremities, eyes set close together on the same plane on the front of its head, a shortened muzzle and a 2-1-2-3 tooth pattern. The differences between the two species, in most cases, are differences of degree of a particular trait rather than an entirely different trait. (Diamond) With a difference of only one point six percent, these two species share a large number physical traits. These baby steps would have been critical for the long childhood that is now often regarded as a keystone of human uniqueness.Modern humans and chimpanzees (our closest relative in the animal kingdom) share ninety-eight point four percent of their DNA. Extended brain growth in Lucy’s species may have provided a basis for the subsequent evolution of the brain and social behaviour in our ancestors. Lengthening the period of brain growth also stretches out a species’ highly impressionable learning period. And this can be linked to a long reliance on caregivers. Slowing brain development is a way to spread the energetic needs of highly dependent offspring over many years. Thus, this species may bridge the gap between the long childhoods humans enjoy today, and the shorter ones of our ape-like ancestors.Īmong primates in general, different rates of growth and maturation are associated with varied strategies of caring for infants. Our estimates suggest that by 2.4 years old, australopithecine children had brains that were only about 70% as big as adults, while average chimpanzees of the same age would have completed more than 85% of their brain growth. Virtual models of australopithecine brain cases reveal members of Lucy’s species had a chimpanzee-like brain organisation, but grew for a longer period of time. ![]() Surprisingly, however, its rate of brain development seemed to have shifted from the fast lane to the slow lane. This means the infant grew its molar teeth rapidly – similar to chimpanzees, and faster than humans. ![]() ![]() Our team’s dental experts calculated an age of 861 days, about 2.4 years. Having access to precise records of the Dikika child’s teeth, we were able to determine how old the child was when it died. The lengthy childhood of endangered orangutans is written in their teeth Similar to the growth rings of a tree, cross sections of teeth also reveal daily growth lines reflecting the body’s internal rhythms during childhood. The truth is in the toothĪ seldom recognised fact about humans and other primates is that our milk (baby) teeth and first molars are marked with a line formed at birth. ![]() Synchrotron imaging can also provide powerful insights into dental development. By forcing electrons to travel in a circular direction with magnetic fields, extremely bright light is produced that can be filtered and adjusted for research purposes.Ī benefit of this approach is that permanent impressions of brain folds on the bone can provide clues about key aspects of the brain’s organisation. This 3D animation shows the skull of the Dikika child.Ī synchrotron is a machine that accelerates electrons close to the speed of light and directs them around a large ring. ![]()
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