Walk Like A Primate: Identifying the Various Primate Locomotion Patterns

The term primate refers to a variety of species, from lemurs to humans.  Because of the great deal of diversity among primates there is quite a bit of variation, but there are also some similarities.  One of those general similarities is primate locomotion patterns.  This refers to the means of movement that primates utilize to get around.  Today’s blog post will discuss the types of primate locomotion patterns.

Figure 1: Howler monkey demonstrating quadrupedalism

There are five primate locomotion patterns.  The first is quadrupedalism.  This is the use of all four limbs to allow the body to move (Figure 1).  Several different primate species utilize quadrupedalism, including langurs and howler monkeys.  

Figure 2: Ring-tailed lemur demonstrating vertical clinging and leaping on the ground

 

The second is vertical clinging and leaping.  This involves primates, such as the ring-tailed lemur, to climb and jump through the trees (Figure 2).  These primates often look like they’re jumping or dancing when they are on land because they are not adapted to terrestrial (land) dwelling.

Figure 3: Siamang demonstrating brachiation

 

The third locomotion pattern is brachiation, which is where a primate’s arms swing over each other (Figure 3).  This is an adaptation for arboreal (tree dwelling) primates.  This locomotion pattern is characteristic of siamangs and other gibbon species.

Figure 4: Gorilla demonstrating knuckle-walking

The fourth locomotion pattern is knuckle (also sometimes called fist) walking (Figure 4).  This mode of locomotion is a terrestrial one, and it is common among larger apes, such as gorillas and chimpanzees.  The last locomotion pattern is bipedalism, which is walking on two legs.  It is exclusive to humans, so no further explanation is required. 

Digging Up the Dirt: The Role & Effects of Historical Archaeology

Historic Archaeological Excavation through the Penn Museum

 

Archaeology is the study of past cultures through the study of their material remains.  As discussed in previous posts there are several areas of the field of archaeology.  Today’s blog post is dedicated to discussing one of those areas: historical archaeology. 

Historical archaeology focuses on the material cultural remains connected to American Indian and Euroamerican groups and sites post-colonization of the Americas.  Locating these sites can, in some ways, be easier due to the presence of historical records, although they are not always present and therefore not always used when investigating historic archaeological sites.  Historical archaeological artifacts also tend to be easier to identify since there is a means of comparing them to known artifacts, but that requires archaeologists to have the knowledge and an understanding of how and what items were used in the past. 

The artifact types, however, are not that different from any other archaeological investigation.  For example, there are still ceramic artifacts at historic sites, although the variety of ceramics does vary and matches the technological advances of the period.  There is also a bit more variety in what may be found at historical sites.  For example, there is a bit more variety in metal artifacts, which include nails, bullets, cans, and wire.  There are also a variety of glass objects, which are atypical of many prehistoric sites.

Given the context of historical archaeology many might wonder what the purpose of the field is.  If historical records are already present what more could the archaeological evidence provide?  Plenty, actually.  The archaeological record can fill in gaps in the historical record.  For example, Hill’s Fort in southern Illinois was discovered through archaeological investigation, and this discovery assisted in the historical understanding of the founding of the state.  The archaeological record can also provide insights into the past that may not have been addressed at the time.  For example, archaeology of slavery provides insights into the culture and resistance among enslaved individuals, which was not typically addressed in the historical record.  Therefore, historical archaeology serves some very distinctive purposes.

Students interested in learning more about archaeology, specifically historical archaeology, should contact me regarding an opportunity to excavate at a historic site in the area.  

References

Sutton, M. and Arkush, B.  2014.  Archaeological Laboratory Methods: An Introduction.  Kendall Hunt Publishing.