Human Evolutionary Traits and Behjaviours Bipedalism Essay

Throughout the conceptual yet acknowledged theories surrounding human evolutionary traits and behaviours, the exact forces that specifically promoted bipedalism are still difficult to determine. Controversy lies with the suggestion that bipedalism arose from as early as 5.8 million years ago, in the late Miocene era, but it can be scientifically defined that the first definite bipedal hominin was the Australopithecus anamensis in the Pliocene. These findings suggest that at 3.9-2.9 million years ago, bipedalism was evolving; certain conditions acted as influences upon the hominins to develop bipedality. As such, specific selection pressures have since been proposed during evolutionary studies to indicate the exact circumstances which†¦show more content†¦What’s more, the ability to use the freed limbs for foraging on the ground encouraged the consumption of seeds and grain (Jolly, 1970). The option to carry food from one place to another would also be offered. The co nvenience of carrying young to safety also highlights a likely benefit of bipedalism. Conceivably, it was the increase in food variety, abundance and dispersion which stimulated such deviation towards terrestrial locomotion. It is widely recognised that at some time, the hominins advanced to the ground in order to collect food instead of staying in the trees (Stanford, 2003). Perchance, this was â€Å"owing to a change in its manner of procuring substinence, or to a change in the conditions† (Darwin, 1871). Ecology: During the Miocene era, ‘Stanford’s hypothesis’ portrays the thought that there was a significant change of the environment in East Africa and its ecological state. It is understood that the dense forested areas began to disperse, and though gradual, the hominins living at the time would have had to alter their lifestyles to suit such a shift in their ecosystem. This change occurred â€Å"as rainfall declined and the degree of seasonality rose† (Stanford, 2003, p. 120). The foregoing vegetation which could not cope with the drier climatic conditions then began to diminish. This, in turn, prompted the spreading of different plant life, and