Carsten Niemitz

Carsten Niemitz (* 1945 in Dessau ) is a German anatomist, behaviorists, human and evolutionary biologist.

Life and work

Niemitz studied biology, mathematics, medicine, and art history at the universities of Giessen, Freiburg, Göttingen and at the Free University of Berlin. In 1970 he graduated as a biologist. From 1968 to 1971 he was assistant at the Frankfurt Max - Planck Institute for Brain Research. 1971 to 1973 he spent in the jungle of Sarawak on Borneo. After his return to Germany he became in 1974 a PhD in Biology subject. In 1975 he received the authorization to teach anatomy and until 1978 was assistant at the Anatomical Institute of the University of Göttingen. At the age of 32 he was appointed Professor of Human Biology at the Free University of Berlin, which he held as head of the Institute until his retirement in 2010.

1987 Niemitz advisor to the IUCN through inclusion in the Species Survival Commission. In 1993, he also received an appointment as Professor of the zoology at the University of Essen and was Visiting Professor of Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Potsdam. During an expedition in 1991 in Sulawesi, he discovered the primate Tarsius dianae. In 1996, he brought in the Anthropological Society, an initiative to give up the use of the concept of race one, which was officially adopted later by the company.

In addition to many studies in the areas of field research on primates and biomechanics, was the evolution of language and writing of man with studies on the communication of apes one of its research priorities. He was one of those who represented facial expressions and gestures early on as a precursor of human writing skills. His thesis was shortened so that the ability to read and write biologically older than those of the language, because such visual communication was later supplemented by vocal and acoustic signals. In the late eighties and the nineties, he was one of the haunting detectors before the exploitation of tropical rainforests. Since 2000 Niemitz developed an " amphibious " theory of the evolution of upright human posture and upright posture, which states that " there were in a period of our evolution just wading and shore use, which have consistently and significantly helped to shape the contemporary man ." The wider use of the water monkey theory of evolution in a real aquatic ( water living ) phase - the humanization - adopts, rejects Niemitz. His practical experience for stir besides the anatomical work and field studies, especially of research journeys, for example to the Amazon and Congo basins. The theory of evolution was filmed in 2011. His publication list has more than 350 titles with a whole series of books. In addition, he has become active as a textbook translator and as a radio, film and television writer.

Memberships

Niemitz was chairman of the Anthropological Society and later the Berlin Society for Anthropology, Ethnology and Prehistory ( BGAEU ). He is Vice Chairman of the Urania in Berlin, a center for the exchange of science and the public.

Selections

  • For biometrics of the genus Tarsius Storr, 1780 ( Tarsiiformes, Tarsiidae ). A functional- study as a contribution to the systematics and phylogeny of the tarsiers using electronic computing means with the attempt a synopsis of morphological and ethological results. Dissertation, Giessen 1974
  • Functional morphology and biometry of the genus Tarsius Storr, 1780 (Mammalia, Primates, Tarsiidae ). Derivation of evolutionary mechanisms in a primate. Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg 25, 1977
  • Heritage and environment. The Nature of conditioning and self-determination of the people. Suhrkamp Verlag, Frankfurt am Main, 1987, ISBN 3-518-28246-8, 2nd edition, 1989
  • The rainforest book. Parey Verlag, Berlin and Hamburg 1990, ISBN 3-489-53434-4
  • The evolution of the upright posture and gait - a review and new synthesis. Natural Sciences 97: 241-263. doi: 10.1007/s00114-009-0637-3
  • With Sigrun Niemitz: genetic research and genetic engineering. Fears and hopes. Springer Verlag, Berlin 1999
  • The secret of walking upright. Our evolution was different. C. H. Beck, Munich 2004, ISBN 978-3-406-51606-1
  • Foci and perspectives of current anthropology = Focuses and perspectives of anthropology modern physical. Publisher Leidorf, 2006, ISBN 978-3-86757-141-8, ISBN 3-86757-141-4
  • With K. Kreutz and H. Walther: Against the concept of race as applied to humans. Anthropological indicator 64, No. 4 (2006): 463-464

Film

  • The secret of walking upright. Documentary, Germany, 2011 43 min, Director: Ingo button, Jo Siegler, Production: Maakii film production, WDR, arte ( Summary of arte )
Dian's tarsier Race (biology) Hominization Amazon Basin Digital Object Identifier Westdeutscher Rundfunk Informationsdienst Wissenschaft Integrated Authority File
167350
de