Prehistoric Primate Museum
Format: In-person or online
Megaladapis in a virtual museum of anthropology
Author: Dr. Keith Chan
Time needed: ~30 minutes
Learning Objectives
- Identify scale models of prehistoric primates
- Examine traits of prehistoric primates
- Infer the adaptations of extinct primates
Supplies Needed
- Computer, smartphone, or VR goggles (optimal)
- Internet connection
- www.anvropomotron.com
- Worksheet (attached)
Readings
- Perry, Jonathan M. G. and Canington, Stephanie L. 2019. Chapter 8: Primate Evolution. Explorations.
Introduction
In this activity we will look at exhibits in AnVRopomotron.com, an online virtual anthropology museum created by Dr. Keith Chan. Our focus will be on the fossils and reconstructions of prehistoric primates that predate hominins. Students will answer questions by finding information presented in the virtual museum along with their own thinking about primate evolution and paleoanthropology based on lectures and readings.
AnVRopomotron can be viewed on web browsers on a variety of devices with different control schemes. A computer with a mouse and keyboard will provide a good experience. When available, a virtual reality headset with touch controls is optimal. A smartphone with touch controls is less ideal due to the small screen.
Steps
- Students can work individually or in teams, but be sure to each take turns in order to experience the museum if working in a group.
- Part 1: Students load the AnVRopomotron website and go straight ahead to the centerpiece model in front of them, with Gigantopithecus, Lucy, Homo sapiens, and Archicebus. Interacting with the orange orb will bring up info boxes on each statue. Questions on the worksheet use this information.
- Part 2: Then, students can use their controls to go right and behind the wall to the “Grab Lab.” Students should browse the leftmost of the four tables, labeled “Pre-Homo.” They can interact with each object to bring up info boxes to help them answer the questions on the Worksheet.
- Part 3: Students can leave the “Grab Lab,” walk past the centerpiece, and into the Scale Model Hall. After the gibbon, there are models of prehistoric primates, including Proconsul, Notharctus, and Megaladapis. More orange orbs bring up information on each species to help students answer the questions on the Worksheet.
Review Questions
The activity allows students to visualize prehistoric primates in a way that is connected to their own perception and exploration. Here are some areas to direct a discussion at the conclusion of this lab:
- Which traits do the prehistoric primate models have in common? What are differences among them?
- What decisions did the modeler have to make in reconstructing extinct life based on fossils?
- Which other fossils and models should be included to cover the span of primate evolution?
Adapting for Online Learning
Rank how adaptable to online learning this lab is:
If applicable, include tips and suggestions on how to adapt this lab for online learning: Students could browse the exhibits and answer the questions on their own using their own device.
Tips and Suggestions
Browse the AnVRopomotron site on your own to get used to the controls and the layout of the museum. Students into gaming should be able to pick up the controls quickly but others may need help.
References
Perry, Jonathan M. G. and Canington, Stephanie L. 2019. “Chapter 8: Primate Evolution.” Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, edited by Beth Shook, Katie Nelson, Kelsie Aguilera, and Lara Braff. Arlington, VA: American Anthropological Association. http://explorations.americananthro.org/
Image Attributions
Chan, Keith. (2020). Megaladapis. CC BY-NC.
AnVRopomotron Worksheet
Part 1. Introduction and The Centerpiece
Go to www.anvropomotron.com on your device and use the controls to move around. The different controls for different devices are listed on the wall you are facing:
- Computer web browser: Use the WASD keys to move and drag with the mouse to look around.
- Smartphone: Press on the screen to move forward. Press with two fingers to move backward. Enable motion controls to tilt your phone to look around. Otherwise, swipe with your finger to look.
- Virtual Reality: Use thumbsticks to move. Turn your head and body to look around.
Go straight ahead to examine the bronze centerpiece. Touch the orange orb to make info panels appear. Answer these questions:
1. Which primate is the largest one shown in the centerpiece?
2. Which primate is the smallest?
3. Where is the smallest primate in the centerpiece?
Part 2. VR Grab Lab and Height Chart
Facing the front of the centerpiece, turn right and go into the VR Grab Lab. Go past the two tables and turn the corner to face the back wall that features four tables. We will be working with the far left table, labeled “Early Primate Fossils.” Touch the items to bring up information on the back wall and a magnified view. First, touch the Archicebus model to the far left of the table. Then, answer these questions.
4. How long ago did Archicebus live?
5. What was its most likely diet?
6. Examine the model: Archicebus looks a lot like a mouse, but it definitely has primate traits. What are some primate traits you see on the model?
Now examine the brown partial cranium next to Archicebus. Touch it to bring up its information.
7. What is the scientific name of this fossil?
8. Use your reasoning to answer this question: why is this fossil so broken and distorted? To answer, think about how an object becomes a fossil.
We are done with this section. Turn around and walk back to the first room. Go past the centerpiece to the height chart on the wall. Go up to it and answer this question.
9. Who was taller: Gigantopithecus or the tallest recorded person?
Part 3. Scale Model Hall
From the Height Chart, turn right and then turn left under the gibbon to enter the Scale Model Hall. There are a few models of prehistoric primates. Go to the one closest to you, which is on top of a tree branch and facing you. Touch its orb to bring up some information. The name should be familiar because the species represented by this model is closely related to the brown cranium you saw earlier. The model is based on multiple individuals and allows us a look at the full body.
10. Where were proconsulids found?
11. Which trait did proconsulids lack that makes them similar to modern apes? If you need a hint, use the gibbon model to compare.
12. Use your reasoning to answer this question: Proconsulids are only known from fossilized bones and teeth so no one knows exactly what a living one would look like. Which traits must have been inferred to reconstruct what a living Proconsul looked like?
Move past Proconsul further into the hall and look left and up for the next model. It is Notharctus. Touch its orb for info.
13. Where was this primate discovered and how many years ago did it live?
14. Which lineage of modern primates does Notharctus resemble the most?
15. Use your reasoning to answer this question: how could the long tail of this primate be an adaptation?
Keep moving to the next model, a larger primate clinging to a tree trunk. It is Megaladapis. Click its orb for information.
16. What is this primate’s nickname due to it having similar adaptations as another animal?
17. Megaladapis existed until the first Homo sapiens arrived and settled its home island of Madagascar. Use your reasoning to answer this question: Why do you think this primate became extinct?
18. Also use your reasoning here: Which modern primate looks the most like Megaladapis? How did you choose this primate?
Part 4. Summary
Thinking about the exhibits you have seen, put some of the information together by answering the following questions.
19. Relatively, who lived first, second, and third in time: Proconsul, Archicebus, and Notharctus?
20. How did Gigantopithecus differ from other prehistoric primates in terms of their preferred environment? (Hint: Think about how the models are posed.)
