ISSN:
1824-310X
Keywords:
Lower Pleistocene
;
hominid child
;
humerus
;
evolution of prepubertal-pubertal development
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Well-defined human anatomical characteristics are present on humeral fragments of a child (VM-1960) and an adult (VM-3691) from early Lower Pleistocene sediments at Venta Micena: both have narrower medullary cavities than in AfricanHomo erectus/ergaster (KNM-ER 1808), and the child’s humeral shaft is longer than in recent 8-to-9-year-olds even though its muscle markings are less pronounced than theirs. We infer that exposure of growing children to high mechanical loading favoured Plio-Pleistocene skeletal evolution inHomo of humeral robusticity and elongation. Precocious childhood arm-bone development, occurring before pubertal growth-spurt increments in shoulder and arm muscularity, implies a different balance from today between prepubertal hormonal influences exerted on ossification (growth hormone and somatomedin C) and the adolescent gonadal hormones of our modern growth spurt which may have still been in the process of evolution by natural selection.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02436197
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