Question 1

A characteristic trend in hominin evolution has been an increase in brain size, especially with the advent of the genus Homo.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Interestingly, some of the physical markers that have led scientists to identify certain fossils as early hominins rather than apes are features that have been lost during subsequent human evolution. Which of the following is an example of this?

Accepted Answer

A)  stereoscopic vision 
B)  climbing ability 
C)  thin enamel on teeth 
D)  big back teeth 
E)  chimplike tool use such as termite capture 
A)  stereoscopic vision 
B)  climbing ability 
C)  thin enamel on teeth 
D)  big back teeth 
E)  chimplike tool use such as termite capture

Question 3

The discovery of Sahelanthropus tchadensis (Toumai) indicates that early hominid evolution was not confined to East Africa's Rift Valley.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

The genus Homo did not appear until after all of the australopithecines had died off.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Postcranial material from Ardipithecus, the earliest widely accepted hominin genus (5.8-4.4 m.y.a.), indicates a capacity-albeit an imperfect one-for upright bipedal locomotion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Discuss the place of Ardipithecus kadabba, Ardipithecus ramidus, and Australopithecus anamensis in hominin evolution, considering the current dates associated with both species.

Accepted Answer

Ardipithecus kadabba, Ardipithecus ramid

Question 7

The oldest known stone tools date from between 2.5 and 2 m.y.a.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Identify and discuss the major features of australopithecine dentition. What do these teeth tell us about the australopithecine mode of adaptation?

Accepted Answer

The major features of australopithecine

Question 9

One of the reasons the discovery of the specimen A.garhi and other materials in its site is important is that it provided evidence that large mammals were being butchered with early stone tool technologies, which suggests the onset of a dietary revolution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Lucy's baby, an important Australopithecus afarensis fossil from northern Ethiopia, includes a complete skull, mandible, and face. What is an important outcome of this find?

Accepted Answer

A)  It indicates that A.afarensishad a prolonged childhood period of slow brain growth. 
B)  It has a human-like skull and upper body, unlike Lucy. 
C)  It is the first fossil hominid child found alongside its mother. 
D)  Lucy's baby has a large cranial capacity but was not bipedal, drawing into question how these traits develop in childhood. 
E)  It sheds light on growth processes in human ancestors, including brain and dental development. 
A)  It indicates that A.afarensishad a prolonged childhood period of slow brain growth. 
B)  It has a human-like skull and upper body, unlike Lucy. 
C)  It is the first fossil hominid child found alongside its mother. 
D)  Lucy's baby has a large cranial capacity but was not bipedal, drawing into question how these traits develop in childhood. 
E)  It sheds light on growth processes in human ancestors, including brain and dental development.

Question 11

In trying to determine whether a fossil is a human ancestor, we should always look for traits that make us human today.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following statements about australopithecines is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Australopithecines had a higher incidence of rickets than genus Homo. 
B)  Australopithecines had smaller molars than genus Homo. 
C)  Australopithecines probably relied more on the use of tools than did the early Homo. 
D)  Australopithecus was the most geographically widespread of all hominin genera. 
E)  Australopithecines as a group inhabited the earth longer than any other hominin genus. 
A)  Australopithecines had a higher incidence of rickets than genus Homo. 
B)  Australopithecines had smaller molars than genus Homo. 
C)  Australopithecines probably relied more on the use of tools than did the early Homo. 
D)  Australopithecus was the most geographically widespread of all hominin genera. 
E)  Australopithecines as a group inhabited the earth longer than any other hominin genus.

Question 13

What is the term for the bony protuberance found on top of the skulls of robust australopithecines?

Accepted Answer

A)  temporalis 
B)  sagittal crest 
C)  masseter 
D)  foramen magnum 
E)  ischium 
A)  temporalis 
B)  sagittal crest 
C)  masseter 
D)  foramen magnum 
E)  ischium

Question 14

The footprints at the site of Laetoli in northern Tanzania were made by Australopithecus afarensis.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The teeth and skulls of australopithecines suggest that they had a vegetarian diet.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The dentition of Australopithecus afarensis exhibits some similarities to the dentition of modern chimpanzees.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Orrorin tugenensis and the Toumai specimen are unquestionably hominins.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which of the following is/are evidence of robust australopithecines' adaptation to eating hard-shelled seeds and grasses?

Accepted Answer

A)  the presence of very large molars and a sagittal crest on the top of the skull 
B)  fine finger bones and a large mandible 
C)  massive fossilized temporalis muscles 
D)  bipedalism, providing the mobility necessary to gather food in open grasslands 
E)  a small but flexible masseter muscle and an enlarged occipital bun 
A)  the presence of very large molars and a sagittal crest on the top of the skull 
B)  fine finger bones and a large mandible 
C)  massive fossilized temporalis muscles 
D)  bipedalism, providing the mobility necessary to gather food in open grasslands 
E)  a small but flexible masseter muscle and an enlarged occipital bun

Question 19

Sahelanthropus tchadensis, or Toumai,

Accepted Answer

A)  may be the oldest possible "missing link" between gorillas and Orrorin tugenensis. 
B)  moves scientists close to the time when humans and apes in the Americas diverged from a common ancestor. 
C)  looks more like a chimp than a human, specifically because of the placement of its foramen magnum at the base of its skull, which is farther back than in later hominins. 
D)  may be the oldest possible human ancestor yet found. 
E)  apparently lived in a habitat with scarce animal life and mountain terrain. 
A)  may be the oldest possible "missing link" between gorillas and Orrorin tugenensis. 
B)  moves scientists close to the time when humans and apes in the Americas diverged from a common ancestor. 
C)  looks more like a chimp than a human, specifically because of the placement of its foramen magnum at the base of its skull, which is farther back than in later hominins. 
D)  may be the oldest possible human ancestor yet found. 
E)  apparently lived in a habitat with scarce animal life and mountain terrain.

Question 20

Discuss the significance of Australopithecus sediba. Why do paleoanthropologists debate its place in human evolution? What is unique about this fossil?

Accepted Answer

Australopithecus sediba is a species of

Exam 8: Early Hominins

A characteristic trend in hominin evolution has been an increase in brain size, especially with the advent of the genus Homo.

Interestingly, some of the physical markers that have led scientists to identify certain fossils as early hominins rather than apes are features that have been lost during subsequent human evolution. Which of the following is an example of this?

The discovery of Sahelanthropus tchadensis (Toumai) indicates that early hominid evolution was not confined to East Africa's Rift Valley.

The genus Homo did not appear until after all of the australopithecines had died off.

Postcranial material from Ardipithecus, the earliest widely accepted hominin genus (5.8-4.4 m.y.a.), indicates a capacity-albeit an imperfect one-for upright bipedal locomotion.

Discuss the place of Ardipithecus kadabba, Ardipithecus ramidus, and Australopithecus anamensis in hominin evolution, considering the current dates associated with both species.

The oldest known stone tools date from between 2.5 and 2 m.y.a.

Identify and discuss the major features of australopithecine dentition. What do these teeth tell us about the australopithecine mode of adaptation?

One of the reasons the discovery of the specimen A.garhi and other materials in its site is important is that it provided evidence that large mammals were being butchered with early stone tool technologies, which suggests the onset of a dietary revolution.

Lucy's baby, an important Australopithecus afarensis fossil from northern Ethiopia, includes a complete skull, mandible, and face. What is an important outcome of this find?

In trying to determine whether a fossil is a human ancestor, we should always look for traits that make us human today.

Which of the following statements about australopithecines is true?

What is the term for the bony protuberance found on top of the skulls of robust australopithecines?

The footprints at the site of Laetoli in northern Tanzania were made by Australopithecus afarensis.

The teeth and skulls of australopithecines suggest that they had a vegetarian diet.

The dentition of Australopithecus afarensis exhibits some similarities to the dentition of modern chimpanzees.

Orrorin tugenensis and the Toumai specimen are unquestionably hominins.

Which of the following is/are evidence of robust australopithecines' adaptation to eating hard-shelled seeds and grasses?

Sahelanthropus tchadensis, or Toumai,

Discuss the significance of Australopithecus sediba. Why do paleoanthropologists debate its place in human evolution? What is unique about this fossil?

What Is Anthropology

Culture

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Evolution and Genetics

Human Variation and Adaptation

The Primates

Archaic Homo

The Origin and Spread of Modern Humans

The First Farmers

The First Cities and States

Method and Theory in Cultural Anthropology

Language and Communication

Ethnicity and Race

Making a Living

Political Systems

Gender

Families, Kinship, and Descent

Marriage

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The World System and Colonialism

Anthropologys Role in a Globalizing World

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