We, Biological Anthropology Lab., conducted experimental practices regarding human speech, fossils, and locomotion research. Our division conducts experimental practices for second-year undergraduate students in each lab. in rotation. Our practice was held on the afternoon of December 6th.

We set three tasks and divided into three groups to carry out the practical training in turn.

Speech: We humans use spoken language. We conducted a practice to understand the mechanism of voice production. We prepared a piglet sample. After dissecting the larynx to confirm the vocal folds and false vocal folds, we used an experimental device that sends airflow to vibrate the vocal folds to actually vibrate them and generate a sound source. After each person moves their vocal folds in various ways to produce a sound, we discussed how the quality and pitch (height) of the sound changed and then conducted a final experiment. Each group was able to generate a different sound source, which led to a good discussion.

Fossils: Fossils are gifts from the past that teach us about the evolution of humans. We did an osteology practice. Bones and teeth become fossils. To study fossils, we need to know the characteristics of bones and teeth of each species and the functions they indicate. We lined up replicas of human fossils and skeletal specimens of monkeys, found the characteristics of humans, and discussed their locomotion functions.

Locomotion: Humans are primates that walk bipedal. We conducted a comparative study of the mechanism of locomotion. Markers were attached to the joints, and joint movements during walking were captured using multiple video cameras, while a ground reaction force meter was used to measure the force and directional changes on the feet. We compared the results of experiments on monkeys and analyzed the characteristics of humans.
Biological Anthropology Lab. is unusual in this division, in that it deals with things that can directory be looked with the naked eye. Obtaining data requires physical strength. Also, obtaining data from monkeys, who cannot understand out speech, is a difficult task that we do not face for humans. Experiments require full use of both the body and the brain, including physical strength, willpower, intelligence, and inspiration.