Scholars@Duke
Matt Cartmill

Matt Cartmill

Professor Emeritus of Evolutionary Anthropology
Evolutionary Anthropology
matt.cartmill@duke.edu
DUMC, Durham, NC 27708
108 Biological Sciences Bldg, Durham, NC 27708

Overview

I have recently begun preliminary work on a course of experimental research into the origins of human bipedalism. Known remains of the earliest bipedal human precursors (Australopithecus afarensis in East Africa and Australopithecus africanus in Southern Africa) exhibit two odd autapomorphies not found in Recent large-bodied hominoids: an exaggerated interacetabular distance, and an elongated lumbar segment of the vertebral column. From published studies of human and bird bipedalism, from theoretical expectations based on my earlier studies of primate locomotion, and from what is known about the morphology and habitat of the earliest hominids, I hypothesize that these singular specializations, which do not fit received models of the early evolution of hominid bipedalism, may represent adaptations for running. Experimental studies of locomotion in humans are being undertaken in collaboration with our Postdoctoral Fellow Daniel Schmitt to test various hypotheses concerning the possible functional significance of these australopithecine peculiarities. Preliminary findings on pelvic rotation in human running were presented at the AAPA meetings in April.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Professor Emeritus of Evolutionary Anthropology · 2011 - Present Evolutionary Anthropology, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

Recent Publications

Anxiety in first year medical students taking gross anatomy.

Journal Article Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.) · September 2014 To study anxiety levels in first-year medical students taking gross anatomy. Thirty medical students per year, for 2 years, completed the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) 10 times during a 13-week gross anatomy course. In addition, behavioral observations were ... Full text Cite

Vertebral body area profiles in primates and other mammals

Conference AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY · March 1, 2014 Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

The Evolution of Diagonal Sequence Gifts in Primates: A New Approach to the Problem

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2002 - 2007

Historical, Philosophical and Empirical Perspectives on Animal Consciousness

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 1999 - 2000

Thoracic Shape And Arm Mobility In Primates

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 1996 - 1997

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Education, Training & Certifications

The University of Chicago · 1970 Ph.D.
The University of Chicago · 1966 M.A.
Pomona College · 1964 B.A.

External Links

http://www.baa.duke.edu/~matt_cartmill