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Footprints as indicators of characteristic features in hominins and anatomically modern humans
Morvová, Zuzana ; Sládek, Vladimír (advisor) ; Makajevová, Eliška (referee)
The work deals with studying footprints of anatomically modern humans and their ancestors - hominins. We compare the footprints of anatomically modern human and chimpanzee Bonobo (Pan paniscus) and we summarize their characteristic features, which we use in determining the originators of the fossil footprints. We observe the connection between the foot anatomy, especially the presence or absence of a foot arch, the style of locomotion and the final shape of the footprint. We further try to find out whether it is possible to estimate walking speed, height and body weight of those who made the footprints. The study focuses on the standard techniques commonly used in footprint researches, but it also summarizes results of the modern methods. In the end we describe the locations of fossil trackways, for example in Laetoli and Ileret. Via the methods above we try to reconstruct the behavior and physical characteristics of the best-known originators of the fossil footprints.
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skeletal adaptations for bipedal locomotion and its possible effect on knee joint injuries
Karban, Tomáš ; Kautzner, Jakub (advisor) ; Hora, Martin (referee)
The subject of this Bachelor's Thesis is the change of locomotor pattern in human ancestors, which led to habitual bipedalism and associated skeletal adaptations, that changed functions of specific body parts. The main focus is on adaptations that adjusted the function of the knee joint, either directly by changing the anatomical structure in the knee area, or indirectly, for example, by increasing the tension in muscles or tendons due to weight transfer to the lower limb. Given adaptations are then a criterion for evaluating possible influence on typical knee injuries in modern human. Key words Bipedalism, locomotion, human, chimpanzee, injury, knee joint, knee, adaptation, evolution, anatomy
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Communication Skills of Apes with Humans
Valterová, Bára ; Hlaváčová, Lucie (advisor) ; Vančata, Václav (referee)
This work is a literature search on the ability of apes to communicate not only among themselves but especially with people. Its goal is to clear up the level of this communication ability as well as to discuss different ways how to teach apes such communication. The introduction deals with the systematics of the superfamily Hominoidea and the specific characteristics of its groups. Next part is about the level of the apes' intraspecific (ape-to-ape) communication and their ability of logical thinking. The main part of the work consists of a detailed study of particular experimental projects dedicated to the abilities of apes to communicate with humans. These projects were trying to teach apes to speak English (e.g. project Gua) or to teach them an artificial language (e.g. project Sarah) or to teach them American Sign Language for deaf-mute people (e.g. project Washoe). The studied projects show that at least some apes educated in captivity are able to understand spoken English and to actively use the sign language or a graphic symbol based language. They can use hundreds of signs in such languages, they are likely to use a simple grammar and they are able to put together sentences with more than three words. Moreover, they are able to create new terms on their own, to categorize and to use...
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Footprints as indicators of characteristic features in hominins and anatomically modern humans
Morvová, Zuzana ; Sládek, Vladimír (advisor) ; Makajevová, Eliška (referee)
The work deals with studying footprints of anatomically modern humans and their ancestors - hominins. We compare the footprints of anatomically modern human and chimpanzee Bonobo (Pan paniscus) and we summarize their characteristic features, which we use in determining the originators of the fossil footprints. We observe the connection between the foot anatomy, especially the presence or absence of a foot arch, the style of locomotion and the final shape of the footprint. We further try to find out whether it is possible to estimate walking speed, height and body weight of those who made the footprints. The study focuses on the standard techniques commonly used in footprint researches, but it also summarizes results of the modern methods. In the end we describe the locations of fossil trackways, for example in Laetoli and Ileret. Via the methods above we try to reconstruct the behavior and physical characteristics of the best-known originators of the fossil footprints.
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What the Mark and Mirror Test reflects (review)
PINTOVÁ, Radka
This thesis deals with the use of a mirror test to determine the cognitive abilities of animals. An overview is given of the mirror test for cetaceans, primates and proboscideans. The conclusion states the appropriateness of applying this test to the biology of the species.
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