Anthropology Assignment: Q&A on Human Evolution and Reproduction

This anthropology assignment presents a Q&A on various aspects of human evolution and behavior. It explores the obstetrical dilemma and metabolic rate hypotheses explaining early human births. It examines the impact of societal norms on the reproductive parameters of Kung women and the implications of patrilineal systems in Gabra pastoralists. Additionally, the assignment discusses the role of projectile weapons and endurance running in human evolution, highlighting the anatomical adaptations that enabled humans to hunt efficiently. The assignment draws on research articles discussing endurance running, spatial cognition, cooking, and the ecology of human origins.

Running head: ANTHROPOLOGY: Q AND A
ANTHROPOLOGY: Q AND A
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

1ANTHROPOLOGY: Q AND A
1. The two hypotheses that argue about why human babies are born so early are provided
hereafter.
a. Even though the fact that the neonates of other primate species also depend on mothers,
the new born humans and destitute as their brains are relatively undersized. It has been
argued that the size of the pelvis of the human females is the reason why the babies
remain in the womb for 9 months only. The human evolution to bipedal movement has
restricted the width of the pelvis and by extension, the birth passage in women limits the
size of the foetus that can pass through it, which is also known as obstetrical dilemma
hypothesis. Consequentially, human newborns arrive with brains that are barely 30 per
cent of the adult brain so that they can fit through the slender passage of the birth canal.
b. Another new theory or hypotheses that suggests why human babies are born so early is
that the management of mother’s metabolic rate. The metabolic rate of the mother is
important and significant while giving birth and due to the diversion of metabolic rate in
human mothers, the baby is born earlier than the other mammals. Energy constraints in
the foetus and mother are the reason for the development of the child and its birth.
2. Backload, in the reproductive terms of Kung women means the amount of backload a woman
can carry as masses will be the determinant of the reproductive parameters and behavior of
women (the experiment has been done only with the Kung women). The reproductive system
of Kung women, as observed, is highly influenced by the societal norms where the mothers
have to take the children to the foraging trips and tours and they have to endure physical
stress. In order to control the impending physical stress, the reproductive parameters of Kung
women differ according to their physical endurance and strength.

2ANTHROPOLOGY: Q AND A
3. It is important to understand Kung inter- birth interval, which is average of 4 years because it
allows to understand the society and dynamics of the Kung community. If the mothers tend
to reproduce higher, they have to carry the backload of their children along with food for
their foraging trips, which is a part of their culture. Such cultural dynamics have shaped the
reproductive activities and demography of the Kung community.
4. In Gabra pastoralists, when a boy is born, the maternal wealth is increased as the Gabra
community is patrilineal and patriarchal, the sons are preferred more than girls as they are
the sources and inherent of property.
5. In the late Pleistocene period, strategic innovation led to the introduction of Projectile
weapons in humans in order to kill big animals such as zebra and deer for food gathering
and consumption. However, the anatomical changes such as strengthening of body and
muscles that made them equipped for endurance running, which made them inherently
strong, therefore, they did not need projectile weapons to kill the animals, instead, they
ran and hunted them as required.