Peking man differing from modern humans in brain asymmetry

PhysOrg ^ | June 28, 2011 | Institute of Vertebrae Paleontology and Paleoanthropology

[SunkenCiv]

Compared with modern humans, Peking man's brain casts have small brain size, low height and low position of the greatest breadth, flat frontal and parietal lobes, depressed Sylvian areas, strong posterior projection of the occipital lobes, anterior positioning of the cerebellar lobes relative to the occipital lobes, and relative simplicity of the meningeal vessels.

The study shows that the absolute hemisphere volumes and surface areas exhibited no significant asymmetries in the Peking man or in modern specimens. However, the relative hemisphere volumes against surface areas differed between the two groups, suggesting that brain asymmetries originated from relative brain sizes rather than absolute brain volumes during human evolution. These anatomical changes are likely related to the origin of human brain lateralization.

The anatomical structures of Peking man's brain maybe differs from the modern human, suggesting that Peking man had no ability to communicate with each other in the form of language. During human evolution, brain anatomical asymmetries experienced marked changes, and certain human abilities including language, intelligence, and cognition are likely related to these asymmetrical changes.

[SunkenCiv]

The six Peking man's endocasts used in the study, showing left lateral views. Credit: WU XiuJie

Virtual 3D endocasts of Peking man and methods used to split the left and right hemispheres. (a) Standard X-axis reference plane; (b), (c) standard Y-axis reference plane. (d)-(f) Methods used to split the left hemisphere; (d), (g), (h) methods used to split the right hemisphere. Credit: WU XiuJie

[SunkenCiv]

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[catfish1957]

Peking man's brain casts have small brain size.

Missing link to liberals?

[gusopol3]

Must be from Kansas or Misssouri

[RadiationRomeo]

If I understood this correctly Peking man's brain had identical left and right hemispheres. But modern man's brain has a symmetrical but larger left hemisphere. The article also hinted at some asymmetries that may be linked to big steps in evolution. Did I get this right? All I know about physiology is self taught.

[colorado tanker]

And if you get an erectus lasting more than four hours . . .

[Domestic Church]

What the heck did you put in your coffee this morning????

[Beowulf9]

If Peking man had no ability to communicate with each other through language then how could they have made tools and built crude homes? Does it not take planning, does one not have to ‘think’ and communicate to do these things?

I’m not being facetious, just really questioning.

http://www.unescoworldheritagesites.com/peking-man-site-at-zhoukoudian_china.htm

[colorado tanker]

You really don’t want to know . . . LOL!

[SunkenCiv]

I wholeheartedly agree with you.