Speaker: Dr Julia Aramendi (University of Cambridge)

Our understanding of human evolution is limited by the scarcity and fragmented nature of the fossil record, particularly for postcranial bones, which pose numerous methodological challenges. Yet, the postcranial skeleton provides critical insight into various behavioural and social aspects of our ancestors, prompting ongoing efforts to unravel postcranial variation throughout human evolution.

Recent efforts employing cutting-edge methods - such as virtual labs, 3D modelling, biomechanical modelling, advanced statistical techniques, and artificial intelligence - aim to overcome challenges posed by fragmented fossil bones and to assess morphological diversity in extinct human groups. As these innovative approaches are applied to both new and previously discovered remains, evidence suggests that early human evolution may have been highly heterogeneous, expanding our understanding of when and how key human traits, such as tool use and bipedalism, emerged.

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