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This volume is the first source to present an in depth analysis of postcranial fossils, allowing readers to cross compare standardized data for themselves.
List of contents
- i. Preface Carol V. Ward, Brian G. Richmond, Bernhard Zipfel
- ii. Introductory remarks to the Workshop on Sterkfontein Postcranial Fossils Philip V. Tobias
- Section 1: Temporal, geologic and historical context of the Sterkfontein hominins
- 1. A summary of the history of exploration at the Sterkfontein Caves in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site Francis Thackeray
- 2. The geological setting, cave formation, and stratigraphy of the fossil bearing deposits at Sterkfontein Caves Dominic Stratford
- 3. A new multidisciplinary age of 2.61 - 2.07 Ma for the Sterkfontein Member 4 australopiths Robyn Pickering, Andy I.R. Herries
- Section 2: Postcranial anatomy of the Sterkfontein hominins
- 4. The partial skeletons Carol V. Ward, Martin Haeusler, Bernhard Zipfel
- 5. Scapula, clavicle, and proximal humerus David J. Green
- 6. Distal humerus Michael R. Lague, Colin G. Menter
- 7. Ulna and radius Michelle S. M. Drapeau, Colin G. Menter
- 8. Carpals Matthew W. Tocheri, Job Kibii
- 9. Metacarpals and manual phalanges Tracy L. Kivell, Kelly Ostrofsky, Brian G. Richmond, Michelle Drapeau
- 10. Thoracolumbar vertebrae and ribs Carol V. Ward, Burt Rosenman, Bruce Latimer, Shahed Nalla
- 11. Pelvis Martin Haeusler, Christopher B. Ruff
- 12. Femur Jeremy M. Desilva, Mark Grabowski
- 13. Tibia and fibula Kristian J. Carlson, Bernhard Zipfel, William Jungers
- 14. Tarsals Tea Jashashvili, Kristian J. Carlson, Ronald J. Clarke
- 15. Metatarsals and pedal phalanges Bernhard Zipfel, Roshna Wunderlich
- Section 3: Functional anatomy and biology
- 16. Long bone cross-sectional geometry Christopher B. Ruff, Ryan W. Higgins, Kristian J. Carlson
- 17. Limb proportions and positional behavior: Revisiting the theoretical and empirical underpinnings of locomotor reconstruction in Australopithecus africanus Adam D. Gordon, David J. Green, William L. Jungers, Brian G. Richmond
- 18. Summary and Synthesis Carol V. Ward, Bernhard Zipfel
- Section 4: Appendices
- Appendix I - Table of specimens, locus (grid and depth, identification and date of discovery).
- Appendix II - Figure 1. Other lower limb, humeral and radial sections; Figure 2. Other ulna sections; Table 1. Cross-sectional properties of all sections.
- Appendix III - Fossil sample used in studies presented in Chapter 17.
- Appendix IV - Extant sample used in studies presented in Chapter 17.
- Appendix V - Measurement definitions used in studies presented in Chapter 17.
About the author
Bernhard Zipfel is University Curator of Fossil and Rock Collections at the Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand.
Brian G. Richmond is a Senior Data Scientist for Product Intelligence at Aura Health. Richmond was Associate Professor of Anthropology, Anatomy, and Regenerative Biology at George Washington University for twelve years, and he previously held the position of Senior Scientist at the American Museum of Natural History.
Carol V. Ward is Curators' Distinguished Professor in the Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and Adjunct Professor in the University of Missouri Department of Anthropology.
Summary
This volume is the first source to present an in depth analysis of postcranial fossils, allowing readers to cross compare standardized data for themselves.
Additional text
The editors and their contributors are to be congratulated on producing a volume that provides a wealth of knowledge not only about the longneglected postcranial remains from Sterkfontein, but also about other African fossils. This book stands to be heavily cited by future researchers, who will welcome the compilation of so much valuable information relating to early hominin postcranial morphology.
