Human Ancestors' Powerful Jaw Could Crack Tough Nuts And Seeds

Ancient hominins' bite analysis has determined that their jaws and teeth were larger and powerful than those of their ape ancestors, which helped them to crack tough nuts and seeds.

A new calculation of the ancient hominins' bite has determined that they possessed jaws and teeth larger and more powerful than those of their ape ancestors, which helped them to crack tough nuts and seeds.

According to a report in New Scientist, the study, led by David Strait, a palaeoanthropologist at the University of Albany in New York, indicated that these hominids boasted mouths ideal for accessing well-protected food.

Behavior of Early Human Ancestors Revealed by Measuring Living Primates' Teeth
A new research is measuring and testing the teeth of living primates to find clues to the behavior of the earliest human ancestors.

Some researchers see the australopithecine mouth as sculpted for munching small, hard objects such as seeds, while others have argued that their bigger mouths merely allowed them to eat more food with each bite.

However, the new results cast doubt on both explanations.

Rather than analyze microscopic cracks in tooth enamel or the chemical composition of bone, as others had done, Strait's team took an approach more common to mechanical engineering.

'Shape of Face' is the Secret Behind Men's Sex Appeal
A new study on our fossil ancestors has shown that facial attractiveness, especially that of men, played a major role in shaping human evolution.

Using a CT scanner, his team measured jaw bones and teeth from Australopithecus africanus, a species that flourished in southern Africa between 3.3 and 2.5 million years ago.

Then, with estimates of muscle strength, the researchers calculated the maximum force that each tooth could exert before shattering.

Teeth Chart
Do you know how many canines or molar teeth you have and what is their function? Find out from this interactive calculator.

"We're taking a method that engineers use to build bridges, and we're using that method to examine the biomechanics of the face," said Strait.

These calculations suggest that A. africanus's premolars, which are teeth just behind the sharper canines, were strong enough to crush the shells of nuts that would have been too large to fit between the even more powerful molars further back in the mouth.

Evolution Cannot Reverse Itself, Biologists Reaffirm
Biologists have reaffirmed a century-old law that said evolution cannot reverse itself.

"Nuts and large seeds probably weren't Australopithecus' favorite snack, but munching on these foods might have helped them survive lean months or years, when sweet, soft fruits weren't around," Strait said.

Source-ANI
PRI/SK