Publications by authors named "Shawn Hurst"
Objectives: Homo naledi is near the extreme of small brain size within Homo but is easily recognized as Homo in other aspects of endocast morphology. This study adds new evidence of the endocast morphology of H. naledi by describing the Lesedi Hominin 1 (LES1) endocranium from the Lesedi Chamber and compares it to the previously known H.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Fossil endocasts provide insights into ancient brain features like size, shape, and structure, informing studies on brain function and development.
- Interdisciplinary methods, including neuroimaging and genetic models, enhance the understanding of extinct species' brains and their related behaviors.
- Sharing digital resources and databases fosters collaboration, enabling faster discoveries in paleoneurology, benefiting both biomedical and ecological research.
Hominin cranial remains from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa, represent multiple individuals of the species This species exhibits a small endocranial volume comparable to , combined with several aspects of external cranial anatomy similar to larger-brained species of such as and Here, we describe the endocast anatomy of this recently discovered species. Despite the small size of the endocasts, they share several aspects of structure in common with other species of , not found in other hominins or great apes, notably in the organization of the inferior frontal and lateral orbital gyri. The presence of such structural innovations in a small-brained hominin may have relevance to behavioral evolution within the genus .
View Article and Find Full Text PDF