Steven E. Churchill | Scholars@Duke

Steven E. Churchill
Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology

I am a human paleontologist studying morphological and behavioral adaptation in archaic and modern humans of the Middle and Late Pleistocene. Through comparative functional-morphological analysis of human fossil remains, coupled with investigation of the archeological record of prehistoric human behavior, my students and I conduct research in the following inter-related areas:

1) The ecology, energetics and adaptive strategies of premodern members of the genus Homo (especially the Neandertals [Homo neanderthalensis] of Europe and western Asia and Middle Pleistocene archaic humans of Africa [variously attributed to H. heidelbergensis, H. rhodesiensis or H. helmei] ) and early members of our own species [H. sapiens] in Africa, the Near East and Europe.

2) The evolution of human subsistence strategies across the Middle and Late Pleistocene, with an emphasis on the nature of the hunting methods employed by various groups.

3) The evolution of subsistence technology, especially the origins of true long-range projectile weaponry.

4) The community ecology of humans and large-bodied carnivores in Pleistocene Europe and Africa.

In addition to this basic research, our team is also actively engaged in fieldwork in southern Africa, with the goal of improving our understanding of the morphology and behavior of Middle Stone Age-associated early modern humans and their immediate ancestors (African Middle Pleistocene archaic humans).

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2013

Contact Information

Duke Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383
Duke University, Evolutionary Anthropology, 130 Science Drive, Room 108, Durham, NC 27708
churchy@duke.edu (919) 448-7025
http://www.baa.duke.edu/FacPages/churchil.html

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., University of New Mexico 1994
- M.A., University of New Mexico 1989
- B.S., Virginia Polytech Institute and State University 1981
Duke Appointment History
- Associate Professor of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Evolutionary Anthropology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2002 - 2013
- Chair, Department of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Basic Science Departments, School of Medicine 2004 - 2007
- Assistant Professor of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Basic Science Departments, School of Medicine 1999 - 2002
- Assistant Professor of Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Basic Science Departments, School of Medicine 1995 - 1999
Recognition
In the News
- FEB 22, 2016 CBS News
  
  Download and 3D-print real fossils for free
- JAN 5, 2016
  
  Using Digital Tools on Stone Age Treasures
- SEP 17, 2015
  
  Men's Basketball Visits the White House; Stargazing: The Week at Duke {in 60 Seconds}
- SEP 11, 2015 “NBC Nightly News"
  
  Steven Churchill : ‘My mind is absolutely blown’ over human ancestor discovery
- SEP 11, 2015 CNN
  
  Steven Churchill comments: Homo naledi is related to me how?
- SEP 10, 2015 National Geographic
  
  Steve Churchill comments: This face changes the human story
- AUG 4, 2014 WFTV-Orlando, Newsy
  
  Ancient skulls show civilization rose as testosterone fell
- AUG 4, 2014 Daily Telegraph
  
  Humans started making art when their personalities got 'gentler'
- AUG 1, 2014
  
  Society Bloomed With Gentler Personalities and More Feminine Faces
- MAR 6, 2014 Duke Research Blog
  
  New Fossil Cache Hints at Human Ancestry
Expertise
Global Scholarship
- Research
  - Africa (Continent)
  - Europe (Continent)
Research
Selected Grants
- Doctoral Dissertation Research: The evolutionary significance of skeletal variation in Homo naledi awarded by National Science Foundation 2020 - 2022
- Dissertation Research: Determinants of Form in the Pubis of Middle-to-Late Pleistocene Homo awarded by National Science Foundation 2001 - 2004
- Cultures in Contact: The Italian-American Riparo Bombrini Project awarded by Josiah Charles Trent Memorial Foundation 2001 - 2002
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Books
  - De Ruiter, D. J., S. E. Churchill, J. Hawks, and L. R. Berger. Late australopiths and the emergence of homo. Vol. 46, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-anthro-102116-041734.
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  - Churchill, S. E. Thin on the Ground: Neandertal Biology, Archeology and Ecology, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118590836.
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- Academic Articles
  - Voisin, J. L., E. M. Feuerriegel, S. E. Churchill, and L. R. Berger. “The Homo naledi shoulder girdle: An adaptation to boulder climbing.” Anthropologie (France) 124, no. 5 (December 1, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anthro.2020.102783.
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  - Yapuncich, Gabriel S., Aleah Bowie, Raphaël Belais, Steven E. Churchill, and Christopher S. Walker. “Predicting body mass of bonobos (Pan paniscus) with human-based morphometric equations.” American Journal of Primatology 82, no. 2 (February 2020): e23088. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23088.
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  - Walker, Christopher S., Zachary D. Cofran, Mark Grabowski, Damiano Marchi, Rebecca W. Cook, Steven E. Churchill, Kimberleigh A. Tommy, et al. “Morphology of the Homo naledi femora from Lesedi.” Am J Phys Anthropol 170, no. 1 (September 2019): 5–23. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23877.
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  - Di Vincenzo, F., S. E. Churchill, C. Buzi, A. Profico, M. A. Tafuri, M. Micheli, D. Caramelli, and G. Manzi. “Distinct among Neanderthals: The scapula of the skeleton from Altamura, Italy.” Quaternary Science Reviews 217 (August 1, 2019): 76–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2018.11.023.
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  - Friedl, Lukas, Alex G. Claxton, Christopher S. Walker, Steven E. Churchill, Trenton W. Holliday, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger, Jeremy M. DeSilva, and Damiano Marchi. “Femoral neck and shaft structure in Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber (Rising Star System, South Africa).” Journal of Human Evolution 133 (August 2019): 61–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2019.06.002.
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  - Brophy, J. K., J. Irish, S. E. Churchill, D. J. de Ruiter, J. Hawks, and L. R. Berger. “A comparison of hominin teeth from Lincoln Cave, Sterkfontein L/63, and the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa.” South African Journal of Science 115, no. 5–6 (May 1, 2019). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2019/5739.
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  - Miller, Ian F., Steven E. Churchill, and Charles L. Nunn. “Speeding in the slow lane: Phylogenetic comparative analyses reveal that not all human life history traits are exceptional.” Journal of Human Evolution 130 (May 2019): 36–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2018.12.007.
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  - Holt, B., F. Negrino, J. Riel-Salvatore, V. Formicola, A. Arellano, D. Arobba, G. Boschian, et al. “The Middle-Upper Paleolithic transition in Northwest Italy: new evidence from Riparo Bombrini (Balzi Rossi, Liguria, Italy).” Quaternary International 508 (March 1, 2019): 142–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2018.11.032.
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  - VanSickle, Caroline, Zachary Cofran, Daniel García-Martínez, Scott A. Williams, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and John Hawks. “Homo naledi pelvic remains from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa.” Journal of Human Evolution 125 (December 2018): 122–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.10.001.
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  - Yapuncich, Gabriel S., Steven E. Churchill, Noël Cameron, and Christopher S. Walker. “Morphometric panel regression equations for predicting body mass in immature humans.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 166, no. 1 (May 2018): 179–95. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23422.
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  - Walker, Christopher S., Gabriel S. Yapuncich, Shilpa Sridhar, Noël Cameron, and Steven E. Churchill. “Evaluating morphometric body mass prediction equations with a juvenile human test sample: accuracy and applicability to small-bodied hominins.” Journal of Human Evolution 115 (February 2018): 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.03.009.
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  - Garvin, Heather M., Marina C. Elliott, Lucas K. Delezene, John Hawks, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and Trenton W. Holliday. “Body size, brain size, and sexual dimorphism in Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber.” Journal of Human Evolution 111 (October 2017): 119–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.06.010.
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  - Hawks, John, Marina Elliott, Peter Schmid, Steven E. Churchill, Darryl J de Ruiter, Eric M. Roberts, Hannah Hilbert-Wolf, et al. “New fossil remains of Homo naledi from the Lesedi Chamber, South Africa.” Elife 6 (May 9, 2017). https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.24232.
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  - Churchill, Steven Emilio, and Caroline Vansickle. “Pelvic Morphology in Homo erectus and Early Homo.” Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007) 300, no. 5 (May 2017): 964–77. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.23576.
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  - Feuerriegel, Elen M., David J. Green, Christopher S. Walker, Peter Schmid, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger, and Steven E. Churchill. “The upper limb of Homo naledi.” Journal of Human Evolution 104 (March 2017): 155–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2016.09.013.
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  - Marchi, Damiano, Christopher S. Walker, Pianpian Wei, Trenton W. Holliday, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and Jeremy M. DeSilva. “The thigh and leg of Homo naledi.” Journal of Human Evolution 104 (March 2017): 174–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2016.09.005.
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  - Meyer, Marc R., Scott A. Williams, Peter Schmid, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “The cervical spine of Australopithecus sediba.” Journal of Human Evolution 104 (March 2017): 32–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.01.001.
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  - Williams, Scott A., Daniel García-Martínez, Markus Bastir, Marc R. Meyer, Shahed Nalla, John Hawks, Peter Schmid, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “The vertebrae and ribs of Homo naledi.” Journal of Human Evolution 104 (March 2017): 136–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2016.11.003.
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  - Randolph-Quinney, P. S., S. A. Williams, M. Steyn, M. R. Meyer, J. S. Smilg, S. E. Churchill, E. J. Odes, T. Augustine, P. Tafforeau, and L. R. Berger. “Osteogenic tumour in Australopithecus sediba: Earliest hominin evidence for neoplastic disease.” South African Journal of Science 112, no. 7–8 (July 1, 2016). https://doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2016/20150470.
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  - Churchill, Steven Emilio, Christopher Scott Walker, and Adam Michael Schwartz. “Home-range size in large-bodied carnivores as a model for predicting neandertal territory size.” Evolutionary Anthropology 25, no. 3 (May 2016): 117–23. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.21483.
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  - Harcourt-Smith, W. E. H., Z. Throckmorton, K. A. Congdon, B. Zipfel, A. S. Deane, M. S. M. Drapeau, S. E. Churchill, L. R. Berger, and J. M. DeSilva. “The foot of Homo naledi.” Nature Communications 6 (October 6, 2015): 8432. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms9432.
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  - Kivell, Tracy L., Andrew S. Deane, Matthew W. Tocheri, Caley M. Orr, Peter Schmid, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger, and Steven E. Churchill. “The hand of Homo naledi.” Nature Communications 6 (October 6, 2015): 8431. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms9431.
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  - Berger, Lee R., John Hawks, Darryl J. de Ruiter, Steven E. Churchill, Peter Schmid, Lucas K. Delezene, Tracy L. Kivell, et al. “Homo naledi, a new species of the genus Homo from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa.” Elife 4 (September 10, 2015). https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.09560.
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  - Dirks, Paul H. G. M., Lee R. Berger, Eric M. Roberts, Jan D. Kramers, John Hawks, Patrick S. Randolph-Quinney, Marina Elliott, et al. “Geological and taphonomic context for the new hominin species Homo naledi from the Dinaledi Chamber, South Africa.” Elife 4 (September 10, 2015). https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.09561.
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  - Cieri, R. L., S. E. Churchill, R. G. Franciscus, J. Tan, and B. Hare. “Craniofacial feminization, social tolerance, and the origins of behavioral modernity.” Current Anthropology 55, no. 4 (January 1, 2014): 419–43. https://doi.org/10.1086/677209.
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  - Churchill, Steven E., Trenton W. Holliday, Kristian J. Carlson, Tea Jashashvili, Marisa E. Macias, Sandra Mathews, Tawnee L. Sparling, Peter Schmid, Darryl J. de Ruiter, and Lee R. Berger. “The upper limb of Australopithecus sediba.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 340, no. 6129 (April 2013): 1233477. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1233477.
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  - DeSilva, Jeremy M., Kenneth G. Holt, Steven E. Churchill, Kristian J. Carlson, Christopher S. Walker, Bernhard Zipfel, and Lee R. Berger. “The lower limb and mechanics of walking in Australopithecus sediba.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 340, no. 6129 (April 2013): 1232999. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1232999.
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  - Ruiter, Darryl J. de, Thomas J. DeWitt, Keely B. Carlson, Juliet K. Brophy, Lauren Schroeder, Rebecca R. Ackermann, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “Mandibular remains support taxonomic validity of Australopithecus sediba.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 340, no. 6129 (April 2013): 1232997. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1232997.
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  - Schmid, Peter, Steven E. Churchill, Shahed Nalla, Eveline Weissen, Kristian J. Carlson, Darryl J. de Ruiter, and Lee R. Berger. “Mosaic morphology in the thorax of Australopithecus sediba.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 340, no. 6129 (April 2013): 1234598. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1234598.
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  - Williams, Scott A., Kelly R. Ostrofsky, Nakita Frater, Steven E. Churchill, Peter Schmid, and Lee R. Berger. “The vertebral column of Australopithecus sediba.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 340, no. 6129 (April 2013): 1232996. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1232996.
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  - Di Vincenzo, Fabio, Steven E. Churchill, and Giorgio Manzi. “The Vindija Neanderthal scapular glenoid fossa: comparative shape analysis suggests evo-devo changes among Neanderthals.” Journal of Human Evolution 62, no. 2 (February 2012): 274–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2011.11.010.
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  - Kibii, Job M., Steven E. Churchill, Peter Schmid, Kristian J. Carlson, Nichelle D. Reed, Darryl J. de Ruiter, and Lee R. Berger. “A partial pelvis of Australopithecus sediba.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 333, no. 6048 (September 8, 2011): 1407–11. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1202521.
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  - Kivell, Tracy L., Job M. Kibii, Steven E. Churchill, Peter Schmid, and Lee R. Berger. “Australopithecus sediba hand demonstrates mosaic evolution of locomotor and manipulative abilities.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 333, no. 6048 (September 8, 2011): 1411–17. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1202625.
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  - Pickering, Robyn, Paul H. G. M. Dirks, Zubair Jinnah, Darryl J. de Ruiter, Steven E. Churchil, Andy I. R. Herries, Jon D. Woodhead, John C. Hellstrom, and Lee R. Berger. “Australopithecus sediba at 1.977 Ma and implications for the origins of the genus Homo.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 333, no. 6048 (September 8, 2011): 1421–23. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1203697.
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  - Zipfel, Bernhard, Jeremy M. DeSilva, Robert S. Kidd, Kristian J. Carlson, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “The foot and ankle of Australopithecus sediba.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 333, no. 6048 (September 8, 2011): 1417–20. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1202703.
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  - Ruiter, D. J. de, S. E. Churchill, J. K. Brophy, and L. R. Berger. “Regional survey for Middle Stone Age deposits of the Virginia-Theunissen area of the Free State.” Navorsinge Van Die Nasionale Museum Bloemfontein 27 (2011): 1–20.
  - Villotte, Sébastien, Steven E. Churchill, Olivier J. Dutour, and Dominique Henry-Gambier. “Subsistence activities and the sexual division of labor in the European Upper Paleolithic and Mesolithic: evidence from upper limb enthesopathies.” Journal of Human Evolution 59, no. 1 (July 2010): 35–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2010.02.001.
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  - Lewis, P. J., E. Johnson, B. Buchanan, and S. E. Churchill. “The impact of changing grasslands on Late Quaternary bison of the Southern Plains.” Quaternary International 217, no. 1–2 (April 15, 2010): 117–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2009.08.007.
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  - Berger, Lee R., Darryl J. de Ruiter, Steven E. Churchill, Peter Schmid, Kristian J. Carlson, Paul H. G. M. Dirks, and Job M. Kibii. “Australopithecus sediba: a new species of Homo-like australopith from South Africa.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 328, no. 5975 (April 2010): 195–204. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1184944.
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  - Dirks, Paul H. G. M., Job M. Kibii, Brian F. Kuhn, Christine Steininger, Steven E. Churchill, Jan D. Kramers, Robyn Pickering, et al. “Geological setting and age of Australopithecus sediba from southern Africa.” Science (New York, N.Y.) 328, no. 5975 (April 2010): 205–8. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1184950.
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  - Hartstone-Rose, A., L. Werdelin, D. J. De Ruiter, L. R. Berger, and S. E. Churchill. “The Plio-Pleistocene ancestor of wild dogs, Lycaon sekowei n. sp.” Journal of Paleontology 84, no. 2 (March 1, 2010): 299–308. https://doi.org/10.1666/09-124.1.
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  - Churchill, Steven E., Robert G. Franciscus, Hilary A. McKean-Peraza, Julie A. Daniel, and Brittany R. Warren. “Shanidar 3 Neandertal rib puncture wound and paleolithic weaponry.” Journal of Human Evolution 57, no. 2 (August 2009): 163–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2009.05.010.
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  - Ruiter, Darryl J. de, Robyn Pickering, Christine M. Steininger, Jan D. Kramers, Phillip J. Hancox, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and Lucinda Backwell. “New Australopithecus robustus fossils and associated U-Pb dates from Cooper's Cave (Gauteng, South Africa).” Journal of Human Evolution 56, no. 5 (May 13, 2009): 497–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2009.01.009.
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  - Froehle, A. W., and S. E. Churchill. “Energetic competition between Neandertals and anatomically modern humans.” Paleoanthropology, 2009, 96–116.
  - Rhodes, Jill A., and Steven E. Churchill. “Throwing in the Middle and Upper Paleolithic: inferences from an analysis of humeral retroversion.” Journal of Human Evolution 56, no. 1 (January 2009): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2008.08.022.
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  - Ruiter, Darryl J. de, Juliet K. Brophy, Patrick J. Lewis, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “Faunal assemblage composition and paleoenvironment of Plovers Lake, a Middle Stone Age locality in Gauteng Province, South Africa.” Journal of Human Evolution 55, no. 6 (December 2008): 1102–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2008.07.011.
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  - Berger, Lee R., Steven E. Churchill, Bonita De Klerk, and Rhonda L. Quinn. “Small-bodied humans from Palau, Micronesia.” Plos One 3, no. 3 (March 12, 2008): e1780. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0001780.
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  - Hartstone-Rose, A., D. J. De Ruiter, L. R. Berger, and S. E. Churchill. “A sabre-tooth felid from Coopers Cave (Gauteng, South Africa) and its implications for Megantereon (Felidae: Machairodontinae) taxonomy.” Palaeontologia Africana 42 (May 1, 2007): 99–108.
  - Hartstone Rose, A., D. J. de Ruiter, L. R. Berger, and S. E. Churchill. “A saber-tooth felid from Coopers Cave (Gauteng, South Africa) and its implications for Megantereon taxonomy.” Paleontologica Africana 42 (2007): 99–108.
  - Lewis, P. J., E. Johnson, B. Buchanan, and S. E. Churchill. “The evolution of Bison bison: A view from the Southern Plains.” Bull. Texas Arch. Soc. 78 (2007): 197–204.
  - Yokley, Todd R., and Steven E. Churchill. “Archaic and modern human distal humeral morphology.” Journal of Human Evolution 51, no. 6 (December 2006): 603–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2006.07.006.
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  - Churchill, S. E., and J. A. Rhodes. “How strong were the Neandertals? Leverage and muscularity at the shoulder and elbow in mousterian foragers.” Periodicum Biologorum 108, no. 4 (August 1, 2006): 457–70.
  - Brophy, J. K., D. J. de Ruiter, P. J. Lewis, S. E. Churchill, and L. R. Berger. “Preliminary investigation of the new Middle Stone Age site of Plovers Lake, South Africa.” Curr. Res. Pleistocene 23 (2006): 41–43.
  - Churchill, Steven E., Laura L. Shackelford, J Nicole Georgi, and Michael T. Black. “Morphological variation and airflow dynamics in the human nose.” American Journal of Human Biology : The Official Journal of the Human Biology Council 16, no. 6 (November 2004): 625–38. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.20074.
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  - Brink, A., J. S, L. R. Berger, S. E. Churchill, L. Rossouw, and D Stynder N. d. “Mid-Late Quaternary mammalian fossils from the Sand River drainage, Free State Province, central southern Africa (In preparation).” Paleontol. Afr., 2004.
  - Schmitt, D., S. E. Churchill, and W. L. Hylander. “Experimental evidence concerning spear use in Neandertals and early modern humans.” Journal of Archaeological Science 30, no. 1 (January 1, 2003): 103–14. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.2001.0814.
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  - Churchill, S. E. “Of Assegais and Bayonets: Reconstructing Prehistoric Spear Use.” Evolutionary Anthropology 11, no. 5 (December 1, 2002): 185–86. https://doi.org/10.1002/evan.10027.
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  - Franciscus, Robert G., and Steven E. Churchill. “The costal skeleton of Shanidar 3 and a reappraisal of Neandertal thoracic morphology.” Journal of Human Evolution 42, no. 3 (March 2002): 303–56. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.2001.0528.
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  - Churchill, S. E. “Hand morphology, manipulation, and tool use in Neandertals and early modern humans of the Near East.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 98, no. 6 (March 2001): 2953–55. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.061032198.
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  - Churchill, S. E., and F. H. Smith. “A modern human humerus from the early aurignacian of Vogelherdhöhle (Stetten, Germany).” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 112, no. 2 (June 2000): 251–73. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(2000)112:2<251::aid-ajpa10>3.0.co;2-g.
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  - Churchill, S. E., J. S. Brink, L. R. Berger, R. A. Hutchison, L. Rossouw, D. Stynder, P. J. Hancox, et al. “Erfkroon: A new Florisian fossil locality from fluvial contexts in the western Free State, South Africa.” South African Journal of Science 96, no. 4 (January 1, 2000): 161–63.
  - Churchill, S. E., L. R. Berger, and J. E. Parkington. “A Middle Pleistocene human tibia from Hoedjiespunt, Western Cape, South Africa.” South African Journal of Science 96, no. 7 (January 1, 2000): 367–68.
  - Churchill, S. E., and F. H. Smith. “Makers of the early Aurignacian of Europe.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology Suppl 31 (January 2000): 61–115. https://doi.org/10.1002/1096-8644(2000)43:31+<61::aid-ajpa4>3.0.co;2-3.
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  - Holt, B. M., M. Mussi, S. E. Churchill, and V. Formicola. “Biological and cultural trends in Upper Palaeolithic Europe.” Riv. Anthropol 78 (2000): 179–92.
  - Trinkaus, E., S. E. Churchill, C. B. Ruff, and B. Vandermeersch. “Long bone shaft robusticity of body proportions of the Saint-Cesaire 1 and Chatelperronian Neanderthal.” Journal of Archaeological Science 26, no. 7 (January 1, 1999): 753–73. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1998.0345.
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  - Trinkaus, E., and S. E. Churchill. “Diaphyseal cross-sectional geometry of Near Eastern Middle Palaeolithic humans: The humerus.” Journal of Archaeological Science 26, no. 2 (January 1, 1999): 173–84. https://doi.org/10.1006/jasc.1998.0314.
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  - Pearson, O. M., S. E. Churchill, F. E. Grine, E. Trinkaus, and T. W. Holliday. “Multivariate analyses of the hominid ulna from Klasies River mouth.” Journal of Human Evolution 34, no. 6 (June 1998): 653–56. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1998.0227.
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  - Trinkaus, E., C. B. Ruff, S. E. Churchill, and B. Vandermeersch. “Locomotion and body proportions of the Saint-Césaire 1 Châtelperronian Neandertal.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 95, no. 10 (May 1998): 5836–40. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.95.10.5836.
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  - Hamrick, M. W., S. E. Churchill, D. Schmitt, and W. L. Hylander. “EMG of the human flexor pollicis longus muscle: implications for the evolution of hominid tool use.” Journal of Human Evolution 34, no. 2 (February 1998): 123–36. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1997.0177.
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  - Churchill, S. E. “Cold adaptation, heterochrony, and Neandertals.” Evolutionary Anthropology 7, no. 2 (January 1, 1998): 46–60. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1520-6505(1998)7:2<46::aid-evan2>3.0.co;2-n.
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  - Churchill, S. E., and A. G. Morris. “Muscle Marking Morphology and Labour Intensity in Prehistoric Khoisan Foragers.” International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 8, no. 5 (January 1, 1998): 390–411. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1212(1998090)8:5<390::AID-OA435>3.0.CO;2-N.
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  - Byers, S. N., S. E. Churchill, and B. Curran. “Identification of Euro-Americans, Afro-Americans, and Amerindians from palatal dimensions.” Journal of Forensic Sciences 42, no. 1 (January 1997): 3–9.
  - Churchill, S. E., and V. Formicola. “A Case of Marked Bilateral Asymmetry in the Upper Limbs of an Upper Palaeolithic Male from Barma Grande (Liguria), Italy.” International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 7, no. 1 (January 1, 1997): 18–38. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1212(199701)7:1<18::AID-OA303>3.0.CO;2-R.
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  - Churchill, S. E. “Particulate versus integrated evolution of the upper body in late pleistocene humans: a test of two models.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 100, no. 4 (August 1996): 559–83. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(199608)100:4<559::aid-ajpa9>3.0.co;2-l.
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  - Churchill, S. E., O. M. Pearson, F. E. Grine, E. Trinkaus, and T. W. Holliday. “Morphological affinities of the proximal ulna from Klasies River main site: Archaic or modern?” Journal of Human Evolution 31, no. 3 (January 1, 1996): 213–37. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhev.1996.0058.
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  - Trinkaus, E., S. E. Churchill, and C. B. Ruff. “Postcranial robusticity in Homo. II: Humeral bilateral asymmetry and bone plasticity.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 93, no. 1 (January 1994): 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330930102.
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  - Churchill, S. E. “Weapon Technology, Prey Size Selection, and Hunting Methods in Modern Hunter‐Gatherers: Implications for Hunting in the Palaeolithic and Mesolithic.” Archeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association 4, no. 1 (January 1, 1993): 11–24. https://doi.org/10.1525/ap3a.1993.4.1.11.
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  - Trinkaus, E., S. E. Churchill, I. Villemeur, K. G. Riley, J. A. Heller, and C. B. Ruff. “Robusticity versus shape: the functional interpretation of Neandertal appendicular morphology.” J. Anth. Soc. Nippon 99 (1991): 257–78.
  - Churchill, S. E., and E. Trinkaus. “Neandertal scapular glenoid morphology.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 83, no. 2 (October 1990): 147–60. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330830203.
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  - Trinkaus, E., and S. E. Churchill. “Neandertal radial tuberosity orientation.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology 75, no. 1 (January 1988): 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330750103.
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  - Churchill, S. E., and F. H. Smith. “Makers of the early Aurignacian of Europe.” American Journal of Physical Anthropology Suppl 31 (January 1, 1969): 61–115.
- Book Sections
  - Salem, P. E., and S. E. Churchill. “Penetration, tissue damage, and lethality of wood-versus lithic-tipped projectiles.” In Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology, 203–12, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-7602-8_14.
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  - Walker, C. S., and S. E. Churchill. “Territory size in Canis lupus: Implications for Neandertal mobility.” In Reconstructing Mobility: Environmental, Behavioral, and Morphological Determinants, 9781489974600:209–26, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7460-0_12.
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  - Ruiter, D. J. de, S. E. Churchill, and L. R. Berger. “Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa.” In Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology, 147–60, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5919-0_9.
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  - Churchill, S. E., and J. A. Rhodes. “The Evolution of the Human Capacity for “Killing at a Distance”: The Human Fossil Evidence for the Evolution of Projectile Weaponry.” In Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology, 201–10, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9699-0_15.
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  - Churchill, S. E. “Bioenergetic perspectives on Neanderthal thermoregulatory and activity budgets.” In Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology, 113–33, 2006. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5121-0_7.
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- Conference Papers
  - Cook, Rebecca W., Gabriel S. Yapuncich, Indya J. Thompson, Christopher S. Walker, and Steven E. Churchill. “A comparison of lateral iliac flare measurement methods and their correlation with lesser gluteal moment arms.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:53–53. WILEY, 2018.
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  - De Ruiter, Darryl J., Juliet K. Brophy, Renier Van der Merwe, Jacqueline S. Smilg, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “New craniodental remains of the type specimen of Australopithecus sediba.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:65–66. WILEY, 2018.
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  - Feuerriegel, Elen M., Jean-Luc Voisin, Steven E. Churchill, John Hawks, and Lee R. Berger. “The upper limb of Homo naledi: New material from the Lesedi Chamber, Rising Star System, South Africa.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:84–84. WILEY, 2018.
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  - Friedl, Lukas, Alexander G. Claxton, Christopher S. Walker, Steven E. Churchill, Trenton W. Holliday, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger, Jeremy M. Desilva, and Damiano Marchi. “Femoral neck and shaft structure in Homo naledi.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:90–90. WILEY, 2018.
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  - Green, David J., Steven E. Churchill, Marisa E. Macias, Philipp Gunz, Kristian J. Carlson, Peter Schmid, and Lee R. Berger. “Three-dimensional morphology and comparative anatomy of the Australopithecus sediba scapula.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:105–105. WILEY, 2018.
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  - Walker, Christopher S., Gabriel S. Yapuncich, Aleah Bowie, Raphael Belais, and Steven E. Churchill. “Accuracy of human-based morphometric equations for predicting bonobo body mass.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:292–292. WILEY, 2018.
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  - Williams, Scott A., Thomas C. Prang, Mark W. Grabowski, Marc R. Meyer, Peter Schmid, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “Relative size and scaling of the lumbo-sacral joint in fossil hominins: Implications for function and phylogeny.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165:301–301. WILEY, 2018.
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  - Bastir, Markus, Daniel Garcia-Martinez, Scott A. Williams, Marc R. Meyer, Shahed Nalla, Peter Schmid, Alon Barash, et al. “Geometric morphometrics of hominoid thoraces and its bearing for reconstructing the ribcage of H. naledi.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 162:111–12. WILEY, 2017.
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  - Churchill, Steven E. “The functional significance of iliac buttressing in the genus Homo.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 162:144–45. WILEY, 2017.
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  - Elliott, Marina C., Paul H. G. M. Dirks, Lee R. Berger, Eric M. Roberts, Jan D. Kramers, John Hawks, Patrick S. Randolph-Quinney, et al. “Geological and taphonomic context of excavations within the Rising Star cave system.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:138–138. WILEY, 2016.
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  - Feuerriegel, Elen M., David J. Green, Christopher S. Walker, Peter Schmid, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger, and Steven E. Churchill. “The shoulder and upper limb of Homo naledi.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:142–142. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
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  - Garvin, Heather M., Marina C. Elliott, Lucas K. Delezene, John D. Hawks, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and Trenton W. Holliday. “Body size and sexual dimorphism in H. naledi.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:152–152. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
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  - Kivell, Tracy L., Andrew S. Deane, Matthew W. Tocheri, Caley M. Orr, Peter Schmid, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger, and Steven E. Churchill. “Functional interpretation of the Homo naledi hand.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:192–192. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
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  - Marchi, Damiano, Christopher S. Walker, Pianpian Wei, Trenton W. Holliday, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and Jeremy M. Desilva. “Thigh and leg remains of Homo naledi.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:218–19. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
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  - Vansickle, Caroline, Zachary D. Cofran, Daniel Garcia-Martinez, Scott A. Williams, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and John Hawks. “Primitive pelvic features in a new species of Homo.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:321–22. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
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  - Walker, Christopher S., Jeremy M. Desilva, Trenton W. Holliday, Damiano Marchi, Heather M. Garvin, Zachary Cofran, John Hawks, Lee R. Berger, and Steven E. Churchill. “Relative length of the immature Homo naledi tibia UW 101-1070: evidence for elongation of the leg.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:326–326. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
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  - Williams, Scott A., Daniel Garcia-Martinez, Marc R. Meyer, Shahed Nalla, Peter Schmid, John Hawks, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and Markus Bastir. “The axial skeleton and scaling of the trunk in Homo naledi.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 159:335–335. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2016.
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  - Brophy, Juliet K., Darryl J. de Ruiter, Lee R. Berger, Steven E. Churchill, and Peter Schmid. “Morphometric analyses of maxillary and mandibular first molars of Pleistocene hominins.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 156:94–94. WILEY, 2015.
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  - Churchill, Steven E., Shilpa Sridhar, Noel Cameron, and Christopher S. Walker. “Geometric methods of body mass estimation in small-bodied hominins.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 156:105–105. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2015.
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  - Sylvester, Adam D., Jeremy M. Desilva, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “Three-dimensional shape analysis of the distal femur of Australopithecus sediba.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 156:299–300. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2015.
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  - Macias, Marisa E., and Steven E. Churchill. “Functional morphology of the Neandertal scapular glenoid fossa.” In Anatomical Record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007), 298:168–79, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.23072.
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  - Ostrofsky, Kelly R., and Steven E. Churchill. “Sex determination by discriminant function analysis of lumbar vertebrae.” In Journal of Forensic Sciences, 60:21–28, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12543.
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  - Ostrofsky, Kelly R., Scott A. Williams, Steven E. Churchill, Lee R. Berger, and Brian G. Richmond. “Australopith lumbar vertebral morphology: Insights from Australopithecus sediba.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 153:202–202. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2014.
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  - Reed, Nichelle D., Lynn Hakki, and Steven E. Churchill. “Pelvic sexual dimorphism in the hominin fossil record.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 153:218–19. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2014.
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  - Williams, Scott A., Steven E. Churchill, Kelly R. Ostrofsky, Peter Schmid, Nakita Frater, and Lee R. Berger. “The number of vertebrae in early hominins: insights from Australopithecus sediba.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 150:292–292. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2013.
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  - Desilva, Jeremy M., Bernhard Zipfel, Robert S. Kidd, Kristian J. Carlson, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “The primitive aspects of the foot and ankle of Australopithecus sediba.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 147:129–129. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2012.
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  - Macias, Marisa E., Christine E. Wall, and Steven E. Churchill. “Size and shape in the primate forelimb.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 147:198–99. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2012.
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  - Reed, Nichelle D., and Steven E. Churchill. “Acetabulocristal buttressing in hominins.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 147:246–246. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2012.
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  - Walker, Christopher S., Emily Mayer, and Steven E. Churchill. “Morphological correlates of human hip osteoarthritis.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 147:296–296. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2012.
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  - Yokley, Todd R., Andrew W. Froehle, and Steven E. Churchill. “Decreased maintenance energy expenditure in modern human and the resultant demographic displacement of archaic humans.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 147:308–9. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2012.
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  - Kivell, Tracy L., Job M. Kibii, Steven E. Churchill, and Lee R. Berger. “Evolution of the hominin hand: old and new evidence from the Plio-Pleistocene.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 144:188–188. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2011.
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  - Ruiter, Darryl J. de, Keely Carlson, Juliet Brophy, Kristian J. Carlson, Steven E. Churchill, Peter Schmid, Job M. Kibii, and Lee R. Berger. “Craniodental remains of Australopithecus sediba from Malapa, South Africa.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 144:122–122. WILEY, 2011.
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  - Walker, Christopher S., and Steven E. Churchill. “Territory size in Canis lupus: implications for Neandertal mobility.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 144:302–302. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2011.
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  - Hatala, Kevin G., Steven E. Churchill, Jaime Ullinger, and Susan Guise Sheridan. “Activity-related changes in the geometry, of the proximal femur: A study of two Near Eastern samples.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 124–124. WILEY-BLACKWELL, 2010.
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  - Brophy, J. K., D. J. de Ruiter, S. E. Churchill, and L. R. Berger. “Accumulating agent and paleoenvironment of the hominin-bearing site of Plovers Lake, South Africa.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 69–69. WILEY-LISS, 2006.
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  - Berger, L. R., S. E. Churchill, and D. J. de Ruiter. “Plover's Lake: A hominin-bearing Middle Stone Age site in the Witwatersrand Area, South africa.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 65–65. WILEY-LISS, 2003.
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  - Miller, S. F., T. R. Yokley, S. E. Churchill, R. G. Franciscus, J. J. Hublin, and K. L. Eaves-Johnson. “A new technique for reconstructing the vocal anatomy of fossil humans.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 151–52. WILEY-LISS, 2003.
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  - Yokley, T. R., and S. E. Churchill. “Archaic and modern human distal humeral morphology.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 169–169. WILEY-LISS, 2002.
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  - Churchill, S. E., J. S. Brink, and L. T. Gruss. “Middle Pleistocene to Holocene postcranial gracilization in black wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou, and its implications for understanding diachronic changes in robusticity in the genus Homo.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 124–25. WILEY-LISS, 2000.
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  - Churchill, S. E., L. L. Shackelford, J. N. Georgi, and M. T. Black. “Airflow dynamics in the Neandertal nose.” In Journal of Human Evolution, 36:A5–A5. ACADEMIC PRESS LTD, 1999.
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  - Churchill, S. E., L. L. Shackelford, J. N. Georgi, and M. T. Black. “Morphological variation in the upper respiratory tract and airflow dynamics.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 107–107. WILEY-LISS, 1999.
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  - Georgi, J. N., S. E. Churchill, L. L. Shackelford, and M. T. Black. “Nasal valve function and location as determined by in vitro fluid flow studies.” In American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 133–34. WILEY-LISS, 1999.
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  - Hambrick, M. W., S. E. Churchill, D. Schmitt, and W. L. Hylander. “Tool use in Homo and Australopithecus.” In Journal of Human Evolution, 32:A7–A7. ACADEMIC PRESS LTD, 1997.
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Teaching & Mentoring
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- Editorial Advisory board, Human Evolution Series, Oxford University Press. 2008 2008
- Editorial board, Museum of Comparative Anthropogeny. 2008 2008

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