MORPHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL EVOLUTION OF EARLY HOMINIDS

本项目旨在推进埃塞俄比亚南部孔索遗址的古人类学研究，并对埃塞俄比亚新发现的早期原始人类化石进行比较形态学分析。在Konso，我们专注于澄清Konso Formation系列部分尚未确定的年代地层关系。重点放在获得有效解释古生物学和考古学收藏品在更广泛的区域东非设置所需的进一步解决方案。结合野外观测、Ar/Ar定年、火山碎屑岩微量元素组成、磁性地层学、碎屑岩沉积物分析等资料，在盆地内和盆地间的对比中获得了实质性的分辨率。系统的古生物采集进行了迄今地层记录不良的沉积物，导致重要的动物群的集合的1.7至1.5万年的时间间隔。这使得全面评估的进化模式所表现出的康索哺乳动物。比较形态学研究的Ardipithecus和其他人科遗骸先进的C/P3复合体，postcanine牙齿大小及其相关性的理解性二型性和饮食，和臼齿釉质厚度及其影响早期人科的系统发育关系和饮食适应的演变。获得了大猩猩、黑猩猩、黑猩猩、侏儒猩猩、智人和Papio spp的牙齿大小、C/P3形态和microct釉质厚度的实质性比较数据。

The present project aimed to advance paleoanthropological research at the Konso site, southern Ethiopia, and to conduct comparative morphological analyzes of newly recovered early hominid fossils from Ethiopia. At Konso, we focused on clarifying yet undetermined chronostratigraphic relationships of portions of the Konso Formation series. Emphasis was placed on gaining further resolution needed for effectively interpreting the paleontological and archeological collections in a broader regional East African setting. From combination of field observations, Ar/Ar dating, minor element composition of tephra, magnetostratigraphy, analysis of diatomaceous sediments, substantial resolution was gained in intra- and interbasin comparisons. Systematic paleontological collecting was conducted in the hitherto stratigraphically ill-documented sediments, resulting in important faunal collections of the 1.7 to 1.5 myr time interval. This enabled a comprehensive evaluation of the evolutionary pattern evinced by the Konso mammalian. Comparative morphological research of Ardipithecus and other hominid remains were advanced concerning evolution of the C/P3 complex, postcanine dental size and its relevance to the understanding of sexual dimorphism and diet, and molar enamel thickness and its implication to early hominid phylogenetic relationships and dietary adaptations. Substantial comparative data of dental size, C/P3 morphology, and micro ct enamel thickness were obtained for Gorilla, Pan troglodytes, Pan paniscus, Pongo pygmaeus, Homo sapiens and Papio spp.