Australopithecus and gorilla brains
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Australopithecus and gorilla brains
Australopithecus and gorilla brains. Historical artwork comparing the brain sizes of an early hominid (Australopithecus, from 4-2 million years ago) and a gorilla (brains seen from behind, scale in millimetres). The Australopithecus brain (dark grey, only half seen) is superimposed on the gorilla brain (pink). Artwork is from 1931, when such comparisons helped decide if Australopithecus was an early hominid (somewhere between an ape and a human) or an ape. It is now considered an early hominid, but with a brain that was not much larger than that of a chimpanzee. A human brain is much larger. This work is based on the first specimen of Australopithecus, found in 1924. Artwork from New Discoveries relating to The Antiquity of Man (Sir Arthur Keith, 1931)
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 6372275
© SHEILA TERRY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1900s 1924 1931 Ancestor Anthropological Anthropology Australopithecus Africanus Behind Comparative Anatomy Comparing Comparison Controversy Dart Diagram Early 20th Century Early Human Evolution Evolutionary Biology Fossil Man Gorilla Grid Hominid Hominids Human Evolution Palaeoanthropology Paleoanthropology Rear Reconstructed Reconstruction Scale Bar Size The Antiquity Of Man Brain Neurological Neurology Palaeontology Sir Arthur Keith
EDITORS COMMENTS
This historical artwork from 1931 showcases a fascinating comparison between the brains of Australopithecus and a gorilla. The illustration, found in "New Discoveries relating to The Antiquity of Man" by Sir Arthur Keith, played a crucial role in determining whether Australopithecus was an early hominid or simply an ape. By superimposing the dark grey silhouette of the Australopithecus brain onto the pink gorilla brain, scientists were able to analyze their sizes and draw conclusions about our evolutionary ancestors. At that time, this controversial debate sought to establish where Australopithecus stood on the spectrum between apes and humans. Ultimately, it was determined that Australopithecus is indeed an early hominid; however, its brain size was not significantly larger than that of a chimpanzee. This finding highlights how human brains have evolved over time to become much larger compared to our primate relatives. The artwork also references the first discovered specimen of Australopithecus in 1924, adding historical significance to its depiction. With meticulous detail and scientific accuracy, this reconstruction provides valuable insights into early anthropology and paleoanthropology. Displayed against a grid background with measurements in millimeters for scale reference, this duo comparison invites us into the world of neurology and comparative anatomy during the early 20th century. It serves as a testament to humanity's relentless pursuit of knowledge about our own origins through evolutionary biology and paleontology research.
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