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The Spirit in Human Evolution - Waldorf Research Institute

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flora: the plant life <strong>in</strong> a given ecosystem<br />

forag<strong>in</strong>g: gather<strong>in</strong>g food and other resources <strong>in</strong> the wild<br />

foramen magnum: the open<strong>in</strong>g at the base of the skull through which the sp<strong>in</strong>al chord passes.<br />

Its position is an <strong>in</strong>dicator of uprightness s<strong>in</strong>ce it shows the position of the skull <strong>in</strong><br />

relation to the upper sp<strong>in</strong>al column.<br />

fossil: preserved rema<strong>in</strong>s or traces of organisms, usually <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eralized form, or as casts and<br />

impressions<br />

gene flow: transmission of genes between populations through breed<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gene pool: all the genes of a given population at any given moment<br />

genetic drift: genetic changes <strong>in</strong> a population due to random variation as opposed to natural<br />

selection or controlled breed<strong>in</strong>g by humans<br />

genome: the complete set of a species’ genetic makeup<br />

genotype: genetic potential of an organism, <strong>in</strong> contrast to phenotype, the actual sum of traits<br />

genus (plural genera): a group of closely related species<br />

glacial (or ice age): a cold, dry period with <strong>in</strong>creased ice caps, usually with lowered sea levels<br />

gracile: small, light-boned, <strong>in</strong> contrast to robust<br />

grade: term used <strong>in</strong> classify groups of species that share certa<strong>in</strong> common features<br />

great apes: chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, as opposed to lesser apes such as gibbons<br />

habitat: the natural home environment of a plant or animal<br />

handaxe: see biface<br />

heterochrony: differentiated development of an organism, as opposed to a uniform developmental<br />

pattern<br />

hom<strong>in</strong>id: <strong>in</strong>formal term used to describe species considered part of the evolutionary human<br />

family. Does not <strong>in</strong>clude apes. <strong>The</strong> po<strong>in</strong>t at which a species can be considered a hom<strong>in</strong>id<br />

is a matter of judgment and therefore of dispute.<br />

Homo: classification term for the genus to which humans belong<br />

hyoid bone: small bone between the larynx and the tongue<br />

<strong>in</strong>dustry: used <strong>in</strong> this book to refer to a set of artifacts that belong to a given archaeological<br />

sett<strong>in</strong>g or known to be identified with a given species of hom<strong>in</strong>id; synonymous with<br />

culture, or tradition when referr<strong>in</strong>g to stone tools.<br />

<strong>in</strong>terglacial: warmer period between cold glacials. We are at present <strong>in</strong> an <strong>in</strong>terglacial.<br />

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