The Evolution of the Human Form, with notes on the reconstruction of ancient ancestors. Day/Time: Saturday, March 30, 10AM-12PM; Description: We explore possibilities of soft-tissue reconstruction in human evolution, including possible ties to art. Organizers: John Gurche ([email protected]). 

Description: Human origins research has revealed much about the evolution of the human form, traditionally one of art’s most powerful subjects. Some reconstruction of soft tissues (i.e. muscles, nasal cartilages), based on bony anatomy, is helpful in viewing this process. We share some of the classic features of the human form with great apes. A few, related to early bipedalism, were added by the earliest known hominins. The time of Australopithecus saw a number of human features added as bipedal walking was refined and the hand evolved. A nearly modern body form appears in the record with Homo erectus. Further adjustments in the time of late, derived Homo brings us home to the classic human form celebrated in art.

 

Audience: Anyone interested in the human form and how it came to be.