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INTRODUCTION TO BIOANTHROPOLOGY

Code: ALGY119

Credits: 15

Semester: Semester 2

This module focuses on identification of osteological elements with an introduction to the osteology and anatomy of locomotor adaptations of humans and non-human primates including a major part of the module being devoted to the anatomy of bipedalism, and in addition some elements of terrestrial / arboreal quadrupedalism and brachiation. In general, students will be expected to correctly handle real human skeletal specimens and develop their knowledge of the skeletal and muscular anatomy of anatomically modern humans and begin to apply this understanding to the study of the anatomy of fossil primates, the great apes and other primates. In terms of species, the module focuses on humans and the fossils of Australopithecine / Paranthropine and Early to Late Homo species and also incorporates evidence from the other great apes, lesser apes and the old and new world monkeys.