December 21 2023 – 10h30: international seminar Palevoprim n°49
Speaker
Tea Jashashvili
Assistant Professor, Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
Topic
Hominin Hand: A Comparative Study of StW 573 and Its Evolutionary Counterparts
This study delves into the complex evolutionary journey of hominin hand morphology, focusing on the StW 573 specimen from the Sterkfontein caves. It meticulously analyzes the wrist and hand bones and reveals how morphological changes mirror the adaptive shifts in hominin lifestyles and environments. Our research juxtaposes StW 573’s hand characteristics with those of other pivotal hominins, such as Ardipithecus ramidus and Australopithecus afarensis, to shed light on the evolutionary trajectory leading to modern human hand features.
It addresses the complex interplay of arboreal and terrestrial adaptations, highlighting how specific morphologies reflect the balance between locomotive and manipulative functions. This comprehensive study enriches our understanding of hominin evolution and adds valuable insights into the broader context of primate morphology and its inferences for human origins.
Tea Jashashvili, following her medical school graduation, her career in biological anthropology is distinguished by the use of advanced imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and 3D geometric morphometrics. Her research focuses on the morphological and anatomical characteristics of the postcranial skeleton in both living and extinct human and non-human primates. Jashashvili is actively involved in international research projects in locations like Georgia and South Africa, contributing significantly to understanding human evolution and bone mechanical adaptation.
Place
Room 410, Build. B35 (3rd floor, north wing), university of Poitiers.