Female evolution

A new fossil find in Northern Ethiopia from 1.2 million years ago gives an insight into human evolution and specifically the female of our species.

A fossil pelvic bone from the aptly named Homo erectus (it means walking upright), shows that the females were physically adapting to the larger brains of their offspring. A larger brain needs a bigger head and the mother has to accommodate this . The birth canal of the fossil is described as bigger than previously anticipated based upon a male fossil pelvis (err?).

It had been thought that H. erectus was a slender species, an adaption to aid heat loss in the hot African sun, but it was known to have had a large brain. Clearly a narrow pelvis would limit the brain size of the newborn so this discovery may herald the beginnings of more a human-like foetal development, another aspect of the link between mother and child.

My 'below the belt' thoughts continue below the belt.

A wider pelvis is what gives the ladies that alluring sway of the hips. Sure it has a place in human evolution, it's the wiggle in the walk. It beats the magic-apple-eating rib-woman theory anyway.

The Big Bopper - Chantilly Lace - 45rpm

Note: I'll be watching for an update at Afarensis.