Reduction in the size of the face, cheek teeth and jaws over the course of hominid evolution was likely due to natural selection for a big, strong chewing apparatus being relaxed.

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As hominids evolved, changes in diet and the invention of tools to process food likely reduced the need for a large, strong chewing apparatus. This led to natural selection for smaller teeth and jaws, as they were less energy-consuming to maintain.

Reduction in the Size of the Face, Cheek Teeth and Jaws