Title: Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors
Post by: Tank on March 12, 2011, 05:36:38 PM
Post by: Tank on March 12, 2011, 05:36:38 PM
Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors, Anthropologists Say (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110307101504.htm)
See where playing with tools gets you! Tim 'The tool man' Taylor would be proud
QuoteScienceDaily (Mar. 8, 2011) â€" New research from anthropologists at the University of Kent has confirmed Charles Darwin's speculation that the evolution of unique features in the human hand was influenced by increased tool use in our ancestors.
Research over the last century has certainly confirmed the existence of a suite of features in the bones and musculature of the human hand and wrist associated with specific gripping and manipulatory capabilities that are different from those of other extant great apes. These features have fuelled suggestions that, at some point since humans split from the last common ancestor of living apes, the human hand evolved away from features adapted for locomotion toward alternative functions...
See where playing with tools gets you! Tim 'The tool man' Taylor would be proud
Title: Re: Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors
Post by: Will on March 12, 2011, 07:15:19 PM
Post by: Will on March 12, 2011, 07:15:19 PM
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.minerwars.com%2FForumUploads%2F20100908111322_1531_DontThinksoTim.jpg&hash=af88dd8f7a4bbe8565ebc98c3ee744aa1da2cd6a)
But seriously, it makes a lot of sense that in the hundreds of thousands of years we've used tools, those most suited to using those tools would stand a better chance at surviving the crucible of natural selection.
But seriously, it makes a lot of sense that in the hundreds of thousands of years we've used tools, those most suited to using those tools would stand a better chance at surviving the crucible of natural selection.
Title: Re: Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors
Post by: fester30 on March 12, 2011, 07:24:15 PM
Post by: fester30 on March 12, 2011, 07:24:15 PM
I try to think about what tools would look like if we did not have opposable thumbs. Instead of bar handles, perhaps they would all have handles in the shape of rings or something so we could get our fingers through.
Title: Re: Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors
Post by: hismikeness on March 13, 2011, 01:10:30 AM
Post by: hismikeness on March 13, 2011, 01:10:30 AM
Quote from: "fester30"I try to think about what tools would look like if we did not have opposable thumbs. Instead of bar handles, perhaps they would all have handles in the shape of rings or something so we could get our fingers through.
I think tools (and weapons for that matter) would be used in more of a palm down and downward motion way as opposed to the tools we did use, which were attached to handles and sticks used from the top side of the fist in a downward motion.
Title: Re: Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors
Post by: The Magic Pudding on March 13, 2011, 01:17:38 AM
Post by: The Magic Pudding on March 13, 2011, 01:17:38 AM
Quote from: "fester30"I try to think about what tools would look like if we did not have opposable thumbs.Ye thumbs used to be useful but not much help when typing. I mean there's two of them and all they can do is blob down on the space bar. I think they could do with another joint, jeez they can't even point very well.
Title: Re: Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors
Post by: hismikeness on March 13, 2011, 01:21:26 AM
Post by: hismikeness on March 13, 2011, 01:21:26 AM
Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"I think they could do with another joint, jeez they can't even point very well.
Nope, but the pinky point (http://pinkypoint.com/) seems to be gaining traction.
Title: Re: Stone Tools Influenced Hand Evolution in Human Ancestors
Post by: Tank on March 13, 2011, 09:04:35 AM
Post by: Tank on March 13, 2011, 09:04:35 AM
Quote from: "The Magic Pudding"Quote from: "fester30"I try to think about what tools would look like if we did not have opposable thumbs.Ye thumbs used to be useful but not much help when typing. I mean there's two of them and all they can do is blob down on the space bar. I think they could do with another joint, jeez they can't even point very well.
