Evolution of human growth
Abstract
The human pattern of growth and development (ontogeny) appears to differ markedly from patterns of ontogeny in other primate species. Humans present complex and sinuous growth curves for both body mass and stature. Many human proportions change dramatically during ontogeny, as we reach sizes that are among the largest of living primates. Perhaps most obviously, humans grow for a long time, with the interval between birth and maturation exceeding that of all other primate species. These ontogenetic traits are as distinctive as other key derived human traits, such as a large brain and language. Ontogenetic adaptations are also linked to human social organization, particularly by necessitating high levels of parental investment during the first several years of life.
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A slower pace of growth provides an opportunity for shifts in both the rate and timing of brain growth.
“Moreover, a slower pace of growth provides an opportunity for shifts in both the rate and timing of brain growth(4-6, 15).”
From The growth pattern of Neandertals, reconstructed from a juvenile skeleton from El Sidrón (Spain) (2017) · cites this paper as [5]
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References 49 · Cited by 159
- Authors
- Leigh, S. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
- Corresponding author
- Leigh, Steven R.
- ORCID
- Leigh, Steven R.
- Venue
- Evolutionary Anthropology: Issues, News, and Reviews
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2001-01
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 223-236
- ISSN
- 1060-1538 (ISSN-L)
- 1520-6505
- OpenAlex
- W2141953101
- Cited by
- 159
- References
- 49
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 14
- FWCI
- 6.59
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Evolutionary Anthropology Issues News and Reviews (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Social Sciences › Anthropology › Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Keywords
- human growth, ontogeny, body mass, height, body proportions, maturation, brain size, language, social organization, parental investment
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