A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South Africa
The SKX 3498 triquetrum from Member 2 at Swartkrans Cave, South Africa is the only hominin triquetrum uncovered (and published) thus far from the early Pleistocene hominin fossil record. Although SKX 3498 was found over two decades ago, its morphology has not been formally described or analysed, ap...
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Academy of Science of South Africa
2011-05-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Science |
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| Online Access: | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10036 |
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| author | Tracy Kivell |
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| description | The SKX 3498 triquetrum from Member 2 at Swartkrans Cave, South Africa is the only hominin triquetrum uncovered (and published) thus far from the early Pleistocene hominin fossil record. Although SKX 3498 was found over two decades ago, its morphology has not been formally described or analysed, apart from the initial description. Furthermore, the taxonomic attribution of this fossil remains ambiguous as both Paranthropus and early Homo have been identified at Swartkrans. This analysis provides the first quantitative analysis of the SKX 3498 triquetrum, in comparison to those of extant hominids (humans and other great apes) and other fossil hominins. Although the initial description of the SKX 3498 triquetrum summarised the morphology as generally human-like, this analysis reveals that quantitatively it is often similar to the triquetra of all hominine taxa and not necessarily humans in particular. Shared hominid-like morphology between SKX 3498 and Neanderthals suggests that both may retain the symplesiomorphic hominin form, but that functional differences compared to modern humans may be subtle. Without knowledge of triquetrum morphology typical of earlier Pliocene hominins, the taxonomic affiliation of SKX 3498 remains unclear. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0d5ea92b330d43e2b2251d0407ce55a6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-7489 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2011-05-01 |
| publisher | Academy of Science of South Africa |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-0d5ea92b330d43e2b2251d0407ce55a62025-08-20T01:52:42ZengAcademy of Science of South AfricaSouth African Journal of Science1996-74892011-05-011075/610 pages10 pages8238A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South AfricaTracy Kivell0Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary AnthropologyThe SKX 3498 triquetrum from Member 2 at Swartkrans Cave, South Africa is the only hominin triquetrum uncovered (and published) thus far from the early Pleistocene hominin fossil record. Although SKX 3498 was found over two decades ago, its morphology has not been formally described or analysed, apart from the initial description. Furthermore, the taxonomic attribution of this fossil remains ambiguous as both Paranthropus and early Homo have been identified at Swartkrans. This analysis provides the first quantitative analysis of the SKX 3498 triquetrum, in comparison to those of extant hominids (humans and other great apes) and other fossil hominins. Although the initial description of the SKX 3498 triquetrum summarised the morphology as generally human-like, this analysis reveals that quantitatively it is often similar to the triquetra of all hominine taxa and not necessarily humans in particular. Shared hominid-like morphology between SKX 3498 and Neanderthals suggests that both may retain the symplesiomorphic hominin form, but that functional differences compared to modern humans may be subtle. Without knowledge of triquetrum morphology typical of earlier Pliocene hominins, the taxonomic affiliation of SKX 3498 remains unclear.https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10036carpalhominoidwristparanthropushomo |
| spellingShingle | Tracy Kivell A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South Africa South African Journal of Science carpal hominoid wrist paranthropus homo |
| title | A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South Africa |
| title_full | A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South Africa |
| title_short | A comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum (SKX 3498) from Swartkrans, South Africa |
| title_sort | comparative analysis of the hominin triquetrum skx 3498 from swartkrans south africa |
| topic | carpal hominoid wrist paranthropus homo |
| url | https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10036 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tracykivell acomparativeanalysisofthehominintriquetrumskx3498fromswartkranssouthafrica AT tracykivell comparativeanalysisofthehominintriquetrumskx3498fromswartkranssouthafrica |