@savannarhianna.bsky.social amazing work!

Authors: @runnerape.bsky.social, Susana Carvalho, Deus Mjungu, @ellenschulzk.bsky.social and @adamvanc.bsky.social. 5/5

🧠 The findings hint that our early ancestors likely had similar material engineering skills. Looking at tool biomechanics may provide a new lens for understanding evolution of technology in hominins! 4/5

🌿 Even within the same plant species, chimps target individual plants yielding more flexible material. Bark was especially preferred over twigs/vines due to lower stiffness. These aren't obvious properties - suggests deep understanding of tool functionality. 3/5

🔬 The study shows chimps select materials for their termite fishing tools that are more flexible than non-used plant material. This may have a functional reason as flexible tools better navigate the twisting tunnels in termite mounds, possibly allowing for more efficient foraging. 2/5

This book “The Wood Age” by Roland Ennos might be of interest. inquisitivebiologist.com/2021/11/17/b...

We are looking for a 2yr post-doc with experience in experimental biomechanics to research ape locomotion