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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Cognitive Evolution Of Homo Erectus, Emily Dzhinenko
The Cognitive Evolution Of Homo Erectus, Emily Dzhinenko
Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado
Evolutionary cognitive archaeology evaluates the evolution of cognitive advancements through past hominins and artefacts to understand their intellectual capabilities of planning, reasoning, memory, and problem-solving skills up until present day. I will explore cognitive evolution through a literature review of the effects on Homo erectus from their controlled exploitation of fire. Utilization of fire by H. erectus directly impacted their nutritional intake resulting in physiological changes which included increased brain sizes. Larger brains created room for expansion of the dopaminergic system allowing new cognitive abilities to adapt. Results from these adaptations included a more efficient thermoregulatory system and extraversive behaviours …
Biological Distance Between Flexed And Supine Burials At The Ancient Greek City Of Himera Using Dental Nonmetric Data, Jessica Czapla
Biological Distance Between Flexed And Supine Burials At The Ancient Greek City Of Himera Using Dental Nonmetric Data, Jessica Czapla
Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado
We investigate potential differences in genetic relatedness of flexed and supine burials from Himera, a Greek colony on Sicily (648-409 BCE), using biodistance analysis of nonmetric dental traits to explore whether locals adopted Greek burial styles, Greek and local customs hybridized, and/or each group maintained distinct burial styles. In other contexts, supine burials have been associated with Greeks, and flexed burials have been interpreted as representing indigenous individuals. Thus, we hypothesize that supine burials will be more closely related to Greeks from Euboea (indirect founders of Himera) and flexed burials will be genetically distinct, possibly representing locals. To test our …
The Small But Healthy Hypothesis: Evidence Of Skeletal Stress And Adaptation In Himera, Sicily, Tessa Smith
The Small But Healthy Hypothesis: Evidence Of Skeletal Stress And Adaptation In Himera, Sicily, Tessa Smith
Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado
Physical anthropologists are interested in the concept of health in skeletal populations because it helps interpret past human behavior and biological adaptations. Since health is difficult to assess, we use markers of physiological stress in skeletal remains as a proxy for health. Generally, skeletons with more markers of physiological stress (paleopathology) and shorter stature (stunted individuals) are interpreted as being less “healthy.” However, some argue that being shorter does not automatically imply poor health. This study will test the “small but healthy” hypothesis by analyzing a sample size of 14 individuals from Himera, Sicily (six females and eight males) that …