This thesis presents the results of geoarchaeological investigations conducted at two new test pits, M11 and M12, at the paleoanthropological site of Dmanisi during the 2012 field season. This research is important for understanding the site formation processes occurring along the north-south axis of the Dmanisi site and how that affects the chronostratigraphic sequence and interpretation of archaeological materials here. With these excavations we can build a stronger interpretation for how broader areas of this site formed and changed both geologically and archaeologically. The geologic results of this study indicate that changes in sediment deposition and development episodes can affect interpretations of how long these sediments accumulated, how likely bones are to preserve, as well as how secondary gravel deposition can influence several archaeological interpretations. The archaeological results suggest that there could have been changes in occupation intensity between the stratum A and B phases although different rates of sediment deposition and surface stability could affect such artifact accumulations. In addition, during the stratum B phase there appears to be little change in artifact procurement behaviors and reduction characteristics by these hominins. The overall results of this research indicate that geologic factors should be addressed and cautions should be taken prior to making interpretations about archaeological assemblages.

Dental morphology and tooth shape have been used to recreate the dietary adaptations for extinct species, and thus dental variation can provide information on the relationship between fossil species and their paleoenvironments. Variation in living species with known behaviors can provide a baseline for interpreting morphology, and behavior, in the fossil record. Tooth occlusal surface outlines in hominins and non-hominin primates, and other mammals, have been used for assessments of taxonomic significance, with variability often considered as being primarily phylogenetic. Few studies have attempted to assess how diet might influence the pattern of variability in closely related species. Here the occlusal surface shape variability in anterior and postcanine maxillary dentition in primates is measured to assess whether the relationship between diet and variability is consistent. Data were collected from five non-hominin primates in a range of dietary categories, as well as two hominin species, including the derived Paranthropus robustus and a gracile australopith. Mapping a series of 50 sliding semilandmarks based on 2-D photographs using tpsDig software, occlusal surfaces were outlined. Thereafter, outline shapes were quantified using Elliptical Fourier Functional Analysis, and principle components and multivariate analyses were preformed to explore the pattern of intra and interspecific variability in occlusal outlines.These results suggest that there is not a clear relationship between dietary feeding adaptations for all categories examined and selection for larger premolars and molars, as well as smaller incisors, led to less variation in both anterior and post-canine teeth of the fossil hominin Paranthropus robustus.

The early human paleoanthropological site at Ngandong, Central Java, Indonesia has significant impact on the models for human migration and evolution out of the African continent. Located on an abandoned stream bank above the Solo River, Ngandong archaeological digs have uncovered fourteen Homo erectus fossils that, based on their unique shape, are believed to have lived more recently than any other known examples of Homo erectus. However, this hypothesis has not been substantiated by previous studies at Ngandong due to a general lack of understanding about the formation of the site as a whole. This study seeks to overcome the limits of these previous studies by thoroughly examining the grain size, grain shape, mineralogy, geochemistry, and stratigraphy of the site to understand how it formed, and in turn, provide a necessary geological context to the Ngandong Homo erectus fossils. The results outlined in this dissertation suggest the fossil-bearing layers were deposited at the site (at the time a channel bottom) over a short period of time and were sourced from the volcanic arc that forms the southern portion of Java island.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2006. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 729-756). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2009. / Title from first page of PDF file (viewed January 19, 2010). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 283-295).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 597-653).

No description available.

La paléoanthropologie utilise la bipédie comme critère d'interprétation des vestiges fossiles permettant d'établir leur appartenance à la lignée humaine. Ainsi, la bipédie devient une caractéristique propre à la lignée humaine et qui en marque l'origine. Nous identifions ici un « cercle herméneutique » de la paléoanthropologie, puisque l'humain y est défini par la bipédie et, réciproquement, tout bipédie est interprétée comme étant nécessairement humaine. Du fait de cette circularité, les traits associés à la bipédie sont surinterprétés dans la description des vestiges fossiles, qui se voient alors conférer une signification fonctionnelle et phylogénétique univoque. L'unicité de la bipédie humaine constitue un principe d'interprétation resté ininterrogé en paléoanthropologie. Ce point révèle l'attachement de cette discipline scientifique à une conception philosophique du propre de l'homme qui semble pourtant difficilement compatible avec l'approche évolutionniste. Au contraire, une véritable épistémologie de la paléoanthropologie doit mettre en perspective la signification accordée à cette caractéristique anthropologique : nous nous y employons dans cette thèse, en montrant que le concept métaphysique de « station droite » trouve son écho dans le concept naturaliste de « bipédie ». Cette continuité ou cette capillarité de la philosophie à la science est mise en évidence à travers les usages du critère de la bipédie dans la description de plusieurs espèces fossiles. De Pithecanthropus erectus à Ardipithecus ramidus, nous analysons différents modes de l'équivalence entre « bipède » et « humain ». Cette équivalence, souvent implicite, représente une source de confusion majeure pour la paléoanthropologie, impliquant un concept d’ « humain » aux contours flous. Notre épistémologie de la paléoanthropologie dégage donc différents problèmes que cette discipline se doit d'affronter pour que le débat sur l'évolution de la bipédie dans la lignée humaine puisse avancer. / Bipedalism represents for paleoanthropology a criterion to decipher fossil records in order to establish their belonging to the human lineage. As such, bipedalism is considered as a unique characteristic of the human lineage that marks its origin. In this thesis, we identify a "hermeneutic circle" of paleoanthropology, since the human is defined by its bipedal characteristics and, conversely, any bipedalism is interpreted as necessarily human. Because of this circularity, traits associated with bipedalism are overstated in describing the fossil record, hence conferring an unambiguous functional and phylogenetic significance. The uniqueness of human bipedalism is a principle of interpretation remained unquestioned in paleoanthropology. This shows the commitment of this scientific discipline to a philosophical conception of the human uniqueness who hardly seems consistent with the evolutionary approach. On the contrary, a real epistemology of paleoanthropology has put into perspective the meaning given to this anthropological characteristic. We address this latter in showing that the metaphysical concept of "upright station" is echoed in the naturalist concept of « bipedalism ». This continuity or capillary from philosophy to science is emphasized through the use of the criterion of bipedalism in the description of several fossil species. From Pithecanthropus erectus to Ardipithecus ramidus, we analyze various modes of equivalence between "biped" and "human". This equivalence, albeit implicit, represents a major source of confusion for paleoanthropology, implying an unclear concept of « human ». Our epistemology of paleoanthropology put thus upfront several philosophical and epistemological problems that this discipline has to challenge in order to the debate on the evolution of bipedalism in the human lineage can move forward.

abstract: This research uses Peircean Semiotics to model the evolution of symbolic behavior in the human lineage and the potential material correlates of this evolutionary process in the archaeological record. The semiotic model states the capacity for symbolic behavior developed in two distinct stages. Emergent capacities are characterized by the sporadic use of non-symbolic and symbolic material culture that affects information exchange between individuals. Symbolic exchange will be rare. Mobilized capacities are defined by the constant use of non-symbolic and symbolic objects that affect both interpersonal and group-level information exchange. Symbolic behavior will be obligatory and widespread. The model was tested against the published archaeological record dating from ~200,000 years ago to the Pleistocene/Holocene boundary in three sub-regions of Africa and Eurasia. A number of Exploratory and Confirmatory Data Analysis techniques were used to identify patterning in artifacts through time consistent with model predictions. The results indicate Emergent symboling capacities were expressed as early as ~100,000 years ago in Southern Africa and the Levant. However, capacities do not appear fully Mobilized in these regions until ~17,000 years ago. Emergent symboling is not evident in the European record until ~42,000 years ago, but develops rapidly. The results also indicate both Anatomically Modern Humans and Neanderthals had the capacity for symbolic behavior, but expressed those capacities differently. Moreover, interactions between the two populations did not select for symbolic expression, nor did periodic aggregation within groups. The analysis ultimately situates the capacity for symbolic behavior in increased engagement with materiality and the ability to recognize material objects can be made meaningful– an ability that must have been shared with Anatomically Modern Humans’ and Neanderthals’ most recent common ancestor. Consequently, the results have significant implications for notions of ‘modernity’ and human uniqueness that drive human origins research. This work pioneers deductive approaches to cognitive evolution, and both strengths and weaknesses are discussed. In offering notable results and best practices, it effectively operationalizes the semiotic model as a viable analytical method for human origins research. / Dissertation/Thesis / Appendices A-N: Spreadsheets / Doctoral Dissertation Anthropology 2016

Transverse radiopaque lines, often referred to as transverse lines (TL's), are a type of hard-tissue pathology which develop in subadult long bones after episodes of nonspecific stress such as nutritional or metabolic insult. This pathology is well documented in archaeological contexts and is used as a tool for making paleo demographical inferences about the general health of populations. Stable isotope studies have suggested that early modern humans were exploiting a wide range of dietary resources by the mid-Upper Paleolithic, while Neandertals appear to have utilized a narrower spectrum of resources, expending more energy on large game. This may have been a significant factor in differential survival success, frequency of transverse line formation, and age of initial transverse line formation. Because archaic humans may have been more susceptible to seasonal resource fluctuations, they may have suffered increased nutritional and metabolic stress compared to early modern humans. This study evaluates differences in the frequency and timing of initial transverse line formation among archaic, early modern human, and recent human (Holocene) subadult populations. Radiographs of the tibial distal shafts of 200 archaic, early modern humans, and recent modern humans were scored as displaying or not displaying TL's. TL's were counted, and age-at-formation was calculated. Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric tests were used to compare the frequency of occurrence of TL's and age-at-formation among the three groups. Results indicate that both archaic and early modern humans exhibited less transverse lines than the recent human group. This may be related to sampling bias in the recent human dataset. There is no difference in the number of transverse lines among the recent human samples, and it seems possible that all three of the recent human populations sampled for this study were experiencing high levels of stress. Thus, it seems that for the archaic and early modern human groups, transverse line formation may have been more closely related to differences in subsistence strategies, while transverse line formation in the recent human group may have been more closely related to high frequencies of metabolic diseases and poor diet. Further analysis revealed that archaic humans developed their first transverse lines earlier in life than both early modern and recent modern humans. The age at first line formation is frequently related to weaning age in studies of archaeological population, and this (and other possible explanations) are evaluated relative to Late Pleistocene Neanderthals and early modern humans.