Paleontology and Geology of Laetoli: Human Evolution in Context: Volume 1: Geology, Geochronology, Paleoecology and PaleoenvironmentTerry Harrison This volume 1 and its companion volume 2 present the results of new investigations into the geology, paleontology and paleoecology of the early hominin site of Laetoli in northern Tanzania. The site is one of the most important paleontological and paleoanthropological sites in Africa, worldrenowned for the discovery of fossils of the early hominin Australopithecus afarensis, as well as remarkable trails of its footprints. The first volume provides new evidence on the geology, geochronology, ecology, ecomorphology and taphonomy of the site. The second volume describes newly discovered fossil hominins from Laetoli, belonging to Australopithecus afarensis and Paranthropus aethiopicus, and presents detailed information on the systematics and paleobiology of the diverse associated fauna. Together, these contributions provide one of the most comprehensive accounts of a fossil hominin site, and they offer important new insights into the early stages of human evolution and its context. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 16 | |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 3 Sedimentology Lithostratigraphy and Depositional History of the Laetoli Area | 47 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 4 40Ar39Ar Dating of Laetoli Tanzania | 77 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 5 Petrology Geochemistry and Age of Satiman Lemagurut and Oldeani Sources of the Volcanic Deposits of the ... | 98 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 6 Geochemistry and Mineralogy of Laetoli Area Tuffs Lower Laetolil through Naibadad Beds | 121 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 7 Geochemical and Mineralogic Characterization of Middle Stone Age Tools of Laetoli Tanzania and Comparis... | 142 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 8 The Ecology and Biogeography of the EndulenLaetoli Area in Northern Tanzania | 167 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 12 Serengeti Micromammal Communities and the Paleoecology of Laetoli Tanzania | 253 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 13 The Taphonomy and Paleoenvironmental Implications of the Laetoli Micromammals | 264 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 14 Coprolites Taphonomic and Paleoecological Implications | 279 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 15 Stable Isotopic Analyses of Laetoli Fossil Herbivores | 293 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 16 Feeding Ecology and Niche Partitioning of the Laetoli Ungulate Faunas | 329 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 17 Paleoenvironments of Laetoli Tanzania as Determined by Antelope Habitat Preferences | 355 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 18 Environmental Change within the Laetoli Fossiliferous Sequence Vegetation Catenas and Bovid Ecomorphol... | 367 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 19 Large Mammal Evidence for the Paleoenvironment of the Upper Laetolil and Upper Ndolanya Beds of Laet... | 381 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 9 Phytoliths and Pollen the Microscopic Plant Remains in Pliocene Volcanic Sediments Around Laetoli Tanzania | 201 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 10 Fossil Woods | 216 |
Human Evolutionin Context Chapter 11 Fossil Leaves Fruits and Seeds | 235 |
Common terms and phrases
Acacia afarensis Alcelaphini analysis Andrews artifacts assemblage augite Australopithecus afarensis biotite bovid bushland C4 grasses composition context Geology coprolites Deino deposits dietary Dordrecht East African ecological ecomorphology ecosystem enamel Eurygnathohippus evolution in context extant fauna forest fossil Fossil hominins Garusi River geochronology geology of Laetoli Giraffa grassland grazing habitat herbivore Hippotragus hominin Human Evolution indicate isotopic J. M. Harris Eds Journal of Human Kakesio Kingston and Harrison Kovarovic Laetoli Laetoli area Laetolil tuffs Leakey & J. M. Lemagurut Locality Lower Laetolil Beds M. D. Leakey Madoqua mammals mesowear modern molar Mollel Ngorongoro Noiti northern Tanzania Ogol Lavas Olduvai Gorge Olpiro paleoecology paleoecology and paleoenvironment Paleontology and geology phytoliths Pliocene Poaceae riverine rodent samples Satiman sediments sequence Serengeti soils species specimens Springer stratigraphic Tanzania taxa Tuff Type Upper Laetolil Beds Upper Ndolanya Beds vegetation volcanic wood woodland Yellow Marker Tuff