Abstract

TERRAZAS MATA, Alejandro. Potencial del uso de la primatología para interpretar la evidencia paleoantropológica. Cuicuilco [online]. 2011, vol.18, n.50, pp.79-94. ISSN 0185-1659.

Since the decade of the 60's, primatology has been developed as a scientific discipline by is own right. Nevertheless, one of the most important objectives from his origin, has been to provide models about the behavior of the primates (mostly gorillas and chimpanzees), useful for the interpretation of the behavior of the early hominids. It has been assumed that chimpanzees constitute an example of how most had look the last common ancestor of pongids ad hominids and, therefore, constitute a kind of window to the knowledge of the origin of the characteristics which make unique human been. Models in primatology has been employed in paleoanthropology mostly in three different ways: Has a source of metaphors whit anecdotic character, as heuristic guides for the research, and as theoretic frames for the explanation the process of hominization and humanization. Comparisons between behaviors of two different species can be sustained by two different justifications, homology and analogy. First one assumes that shared behaviors were inherited from a common ancestor, whereas analogy assume that these similar conduct could be the result of independent origins under similar environmental pressures. Recent publication of some of the oldest hominids (Ardipithecus ramidus), indicate that many of the anatomical characteristics of chimpanzees evolved, in fact, after the separation is own linage and hominids, reason why very probably his behavior is very derived too, making very problematic the use of comparison by homology. In the other hand, since an scope by analogy, models of the behavior of nonhuman primates can be very useful in order to understand relationships between early hominids an his environment and his possible social life. Primates are our closest relatives, many species who are members of this order are threatened or in danger of extinction, his scientific study are justified by him own importance, no matter his utility as source of anthropocentric interpretations. Today, primatology constitutes a rich field of study, of great importance for our society.

Keywords : primatology; paleoanthropology; models; Ardipithecus ramidus.