Suchergebnisse

The Neanderthal "problem" is less likely to be solved by hypotheses which are broad and inclusive, with respect to late Pleistocene hominids, than by more limited ones for which existing data are suitable and which conform in as many dimensions as possible to evolutionary theory. Specifically, the Brose‐Wolpoff hypothesis (1971) fails to use a "population" understanding of Upper Pleistocene hominid variation and argues a universal model of Middle Paleolithic‐Upper Paleolithic cultural and physical transition unsuitable for southern Africa or Southeast Asia.

Some recent trends & emphases in physical anthrop'al res are reviewed. Of particular interest are works in hominid evolution & pop variation. Re the former, direct fossil evidence has been expanding & much res has been done re the australopithecines of the early Pleistocene stage, esp in Kenya & western Ethiopia. Interesting evidence in 'heritage' traits has been produced & chromosome complement studies have investigated the biochemical relationship & divergences between man & the higher primates. Re pop variation, general investigations of particular pop's have been done in the Harvard Solomon Islands project, the Area Program in Brazil of the Dept of Human Genetics of the U of Michigan, & the Mission of the Centre de Recherche Anthropologique, Musee de 1'Homme, Eastern Senegal. Genetic drift, ie, the accidental shift in proportions of genes transmitted over succeeding generations has been studied in its local diff'iation. The importance of a high degree of specification of pop's studies is emphasized. Internal dynamics & processes in pop's have received considerable attention among physical anthropol'ts. The advances in analyses, esp multivariate statistics, made possible by present computers, are mentioned & new methods for doing work on nonmetric traits of the skull are pointed out. M. Maxfield.