Physical Anthropology

Liliana Cruz Garcia Anthropology 102 Professor Randall

Internet Project Primate conservation

● https://www.asp.org/conservation/conservationfund.cfm ○ American Society of Primatologists ○ Topics include the rapid decline of primate species, concern for primates’

well-being, conservation programs, and contributions ○ I like this website because I’ve visited it before and found it very useful and

informative. For this particular topic, ASP greatly pushes forward the fact that primates are at risk for extinction and provides reasons to help. It also has past award recipients to make people eager to support their programs.

○ I learned that this website not only provides information, but it also gives anyone who wants to help the opportunity to donate money for its conservation efforts.

● http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/aboutp/cons/ ○ Wisconsin Primate Research Center Library ○ Topics include primate factsheets, slide sets, and lists of endangered primates ○ I like that this website provides many links to corresponding topics, making it very

organized and simple to find anything specific. You can look up the current conservation status for individual primates, as well as extensive information.

○ I learned that this website has a numerous amount of links for primate conservation, but also deforestation, ecotourism, and other important topics.

● http://www.neoprimate.org/index.php/en/ ○ Neotropical Primate Conservation ○ Topics include charity news, promotion of conservation, education and public

awareness, scientific investigations, etc. ○ Similar to the previous website, this one also provides many subtopics about

news and many listed projects, such as different conservation efforts for different species, and even landscape consideration and reforestation. I like that there are also many ways for an individual to help, from translating to donating and volunteering.

○ I learned that NPC was founded for the Neotropical forest and it has several ways for anyone to get involved and support the conservation of different primates.

Human Genome Project

● https://www.genome.gov/10001772/all-about-the--human-genome-project-hgp/ ○ National Human Genome Research Institute ○ Topics include educational resources (interactive timeline, workshop, news, etc),

general information (fact sheet, FAQ, key terms and events, etc), research, and model organisms.

○ I like the substantial quantity of information/links that this website provides, as it is very educational and easy to follow. There is information of its past, present, and future research in the forms of text or visual images.

○ I learned a vast amount of information of the HGP, an example being that the project finished in April 14, 2003 but its scientific description was announced in October 20, 2004.

● https://www.britannica.com/event/Human-Genome-Project ○ Encyclopædia Britannica Online ○ Topics include timeline, science behind the project, advances, and impacts. ○ First of all, I used this website before so I’m a little familiar with it. Secondly, I like

that the project is easily broken down into major topics with just the right amount of information for each. Everything is straightforward and effortless to consume. In addition, there are videos and pictures that illustrate the information and make it easier to understand.

○ I learned about the controversy behind the project and the risks/steps taken to successfully complete it. The project also initiated comparative genomic studies, which helped highlight the evolution of species and genomes.

● https://www.broadinstitute.org/human/human-genome-project ○ Broad Institute ○ Rather than specific topics, this website covers statistics of the HGP ○ Although this site doesn’t go into any specific details, it has an overview of the

project and provides its current statistics, which was something I liked. ○ I learned that for the most part the project is successful, but there is still 1% that

isn’t covered yet and there are still some gaps that scientists are trying to close. Fossil dating methods

● https://www.fossilera.com/pages/dating-fossils ○ FossilEra ○ Topics include relative and absolute dating. ○ I like this site due to its simplicity and descriptive definitions. It also gives a few

hypothetical examples to the viewer for better comprehension. ○ I learned that there are two main methods for fossil dating, and that carbon dating

is most familiar with people, but it is hardly ever applicable. ● http://www.actionbioscience.org/evolution/benton.html

○ American Institute of Biological Sciences ○ Topics include an overview of fossil data and skeptic views, sequences, and

accuracy of dating. ○ I really like that the site started off with different fossil beliefs from critics and

skeptics, because it highlights that everyone has a different interpretation, even if they may be wrong. I also like that each paragraph has a brief summary on the side for easier understanding.

○ I learned that carbon-14 dating is well-known but can only be used for fossils younger than 70,000 years, therefore requiring radiometric dating.

● https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/dating-rocks-and-fossils-using-geologi c-methods-107924044

○ Nature Education ○ Topics include relative and absolute dating, determining numerical age,

paleomagnetism, etc. ○ This site is very inclusive of several different terms and gives a detailed

description of fossil dating, starting from individual rock layers to the actual methods. I appreciate the detailed pictures as well, for I am a visual learner.

○ I learned that dating methods aren’t just restricted to relative and absolute, because there is also paleomagnetism, although that determines the age of rocks.

Human fossil finds

● http://www.history.com/news/how-homo-sapiens-fossils-found-in-morocco-may-rewrite-t he-human-story

○ History ○ Article talks about the discovery of the oldest human fossils, suggesting humans

emerged earlier than previously thought. It also compares the fossil finds to different kinds of Homo sapiens.

○ I like that the topic is easily conveyed with an easy format. I also like the wording, such as “may” or “could”, because nothing is definitive yet but it's progressing.

○ I learned that Homo sapiens potentially evolved in different times, and that there is much debate over the age and structure of H. sapiens. It’s incredible to know that even though these findings are key events in history, scientists continue to re-evaluate information for better understanding.

● http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils ○ Smithsonian Institution ○ Topics include human fossil evidence, a family tree, and a human fossil

collection. ○ I like the definition and installment of a family tree. It’s true that humans are very

complex and diverse, and to be able to see that in a visual representation is great. The fossil collection was also informative and interactive.

○ It’s very interesting to be able to know what H. sapiens did in their time just by looking at their remains, especially being able to know their social behavior.

● http://www.washington.edu/news/2017/05/09/early-human-fossils-found-in-south-african- cave-system/

○ University of Washington ○ Article describes a new humans species Homo naledi and its comparison to

Homo sapiens. ○ I just like the overall details of H. naledi and how amazing their capabilities were,

enough to be compared to us. ○ Several things amazed me from this article. First, the belief that H. naledi

intentionally disposed of their dead in difficult areas, which means they were on

some level of intelligence - although they didn’t need as much brain power as us. Secondly, the fact that there is a more complete structure of bones than Lucy - a well-known fossil specimen. Lastly, the belief that H. naledi and H. sapiens coexisted together when only H. sapiens were believed to live in Africa.

Future concepts (cloning, gene selection, artificial intelligence)

● https://futurism.com/cloning-tomorrows-future/ ○ Futurism ○ Topics include the definition of a clone, and a brief description of the sheep Dolly

and the extinct animal Pyrenean ibex. ○ I like the site’s humorous display, as well as its clarity in describing a complex

method. The infographic at the start was very pleasing, too. ○ I had prior knowledge about Dolly, but I was surprised to find out that scientists

were able to resurrect an extinct animal, even if it was for a short while. It gives way to a probable future in which dead animals can be brought back, and possibly humans as well. Cloning is very popular in sci-fi, but it has potential to become true at a large scale.

● https://www.geneticsandsociety.org/topics/genetic-selection ○ Center for Genetics and Society ○ Although the text is relatively short, it provides information about genetic

selection, including prenatal and embryo screening and a brief mention of social sex selection.

○ Since I am unfamiliar with gene selection, the fact that someone can decide whether to continue a pregnancy or use a specific embryo was a little startling. However, I like that the site went right into the details and the functions of the previously mentioned screenings.

○ I learned that these screenings are beneficial in identifying genetic conditions, but also selecting the sex of a baby. It was quite alarming to learn that a specific sex could be picked and that it could have effects on gender stereotypes, or the “design of children”, since it could suggest manipulation in a vile manner.

● https://futureoflife.org/background/benefits-risks-of-artificial-intelligence/ ○ Future of Life Institute ○ Topics include artificial intelligence (AI) definition, AI safety, risks, benefits, myths ○ I like the breakdown of what AI is and its risks/benefits. There are certainly many

benefits for us, for AI is superintelligent and can aid us as we want it, but that also leads to a downfall if it’s used for destruction - as many people believe it would.

○ As it started off with, many people believe AI to be something incredibly advanced and human-like, but AI already exists today in small forms. AI was broken down into narrow and general AI - something I definitely didn’t know. I believed in a few myths here and there about AI, but this article enlightened my perspective and taught me several things.

Neanderthal skeleton (left) Articulated skeleton of a Left to right: Skeletons of chimpanzee, An Acheulean hand axe. compared with modern 5 yr old modern human. Australopithecus sediba and modern human. human skeleton.

Stone flakes made by Oldest known stone tools: Hominid fossil skull named Toumai. Skull of Paranthropus boisei. capuchin monkeys. Oldowan choppers.

Skull of Homo Lascaux cave painting. Rhino from the Rouffignac Cave. Venus figurines. neanderthalensis.

Jane Goodall in 1995. Don Johanson showing off Lucy in 1974. Lee Berger holding a skull replica.

Sources for images: https://phys.org/news/2014-11-neanderthals-sub-species-modern-humans.html https://boneclones.com/product/articulated-modern-human-5-year-old-child-skeleton-SC-183-A http://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-we-became-human.html http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/origins/acheulean_stone_tools.php https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/19/13317326/capuchin-monkey-stone-age-tools-early-huma ns-tech https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/becoming-human-the-origin-of-stone-tools-55 335180/ http://www.astronoo.com/en/articles/toumai.html http://www.ancientpages.com/2016/11/26/spectacular-olduvai-gorge-early-hominid-fossils-found -east-africa/ http://www.perfettaletizia.it/archivio/infomazione/evoluzionismo/inglese/Homo/Homo_neandertal ensis.htm https://arthearty.com/significance-of-lascaux-cave-paintings http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/france/rouffignac/index.php http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/venus-figurines-european-paleolithic-era-0 01548 http://www.janegoodall.org/our-story/about-jane/ https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/40-years-later-lucy-discoverer-don-johanson-a dds-human-origin-n253991 https://www.dawn.com/news/1332188