Date of Award
1-1-2015
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School/Department
Department of Anthropology
Content Description
1 online resource (x, 294 pages) : color illustrations.
Dissertation/Thesis Chair
David S Strait
Committee Members
Adam D Gordon, Barth W Wright
Keywords
Australopithecus, Diet, Evolution, Feeding, Hominin, Skull, Biomechanics, Mouth, Dental anthropology, Fossil hominids, Australopithecines
Subject Categories
Biological and Physical Anthropology | Biology | Biomechanics
Abstract
This study examines feeding biomechanics in modern human crania and those of extinct early members of the human lineage in order to better understand the selective pressures that influenced human craniofacial evolution. Specifically, this study uses finite element analysis to examine: 1) human feeding performance, in terms bite force production and craniofacial strength; 2) intraspecific variation in human feeding biomechanics; 3) feeding biomechanics in fossil hominins, including Australopithecus sediba and Homo habilis, species that are potentially at the root of modern human lineage, and 4) the functional role of purported facial buttresses.
Recommended Citation
Ledogar, Justin, "Human feeding biomechanics : intraspecific variation and evolution" (2015). Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024). 1435.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/legacy-etd/1435