Title Information
Title
Paleoanthropology in motion
Subtitle
using x-rays to study human footprints in an evolutionary context
Name: Personal
Name Part
Perry, David
Role
Role Term: Text
creator
Name: Personal
Name Part
Gatesy, Stephen
Role
Role Term: Text
advisor
affiliation
Brown University. Department of Ecology and Evoluationary Biology
Name: Corporate
Name Part
Brown University. Undergraduate Teaching and Research Award
Role
Role Term: Text
research program
Type of Resource
still image
Genre (aat) (usage="primary")
posters
Origin Information
Place
Place Term: Text
Providence
Publisher
Brown University
Date Created (keyDate="yes", encoding="w3cdtf")
2015-08-07
Physical Description
Extent (supplied="yes")
1 poster
digitalOrigin
reformatted digital
Language (usage="primary")
Language Term
eng
Abstract
Footprints are the result of a dynamic process that is dictated by nuanced interactions between anatomy, kinematics, and substrate (Falkingham and Gatesy 2014). To date, much of hominin track analysis has relied heavily on understanding the relationship between pressure applied by the foot and depth of the impression left in the substrate. (Dat et al. 2010; Hatala et al. 2013). This research employs a novel approach: using biplanar X-rays and marker-based tracking to observe the formation of the track and deformation of the skin from below the surface of the substrate--a viewpoint that is otherwise obstructed and allows for a more direct observation of how the foot interacts with the sediment. The resulting data will ultimately be compared to fossilized tracks in Ileret, Kenya in order to infer how the bipedal locomotion of ancient hominins differs from that of modern humans. In short, by investigating how modern anatomy and walking relates to modern footprint shape, further insight is gained into how to interpret ancient tracks. \n\nThis poster describes the work completed over the course of the summer and denotes the beginning stages of this endeavor. At the time of this poster submission, data was collected from a single individual. Trials will proceed in the near future.
Subject (LCSH)
Topic
Paleoanthropology
Subject (LCSH)
Topic
Human evolution
Subject (LCSH)
Topic
Footprints
Identifier: DOI
10.26300/kyyc-mj90