ANTH 1020: The Hominins Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is a sagittal crest?

A type of hominin

A ridge of bone that runs down the middle of the cranium (correct)

A tool from the Acheulian complex

A type of animal skull

What is the Oldowan complex?

The earliest recognized stone tool culture, including very simple tools, mostly small flakes.

What are Australopiths?

A diverse group of Plio-Pleistocene African hominins that are the most abundant and widely distributed of early hominins.

What does the term 'hominins' refer to?

Members of the evolutionary group that includes modern humans and all extinct bipedal relatives. Signup and view all the answers

What is a nuchal torus?

A projection of bone in the back of the cranium where neck muscles attach. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Acheulian complex?

A stone tool industry characterized by a large proportion of bifacial tools. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Pleistocene epoch known for?

An epoch from 1.8 million years ago until 10,000 years ago, frequently referred to as the Ice Age. Signup and view all the answers

What is Paranthropus?

A genus of extinct hominins known as robust australopithecines. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the pre-australopiths?

The oldest and most primitive hominins. Signup and view all the answers

What does cranial capacity refer to?

The cubic capacity of the braincase used to estimate brain size in extinct hominins. Signup and view all the answers

What is facial prognathism?

Projection of the lower facial skeleton. Signup and view all the answers

What is a dental arcade?

The shape made by the rows of teeth in the upper jaw. Signup and view all the answers

What does peri-honing mean?

A primitive form of honing, intermediate between apes and later hominins. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sagittal keel?

A thickening of bone along the midline or sagittal suture of the skull. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hominins Vocabulary Study Notes

Sagittal crest: A bony ridge running down the cranium, serving as muscle attachment for strong chewing, indicative of dietary habits.
Oldowan complex: The earliest stone tool culture, known for simple tools primarily consisting of small flakes.
Australopiths: Refers to diverse Plio-Pleistocene African hominins; most abundant and extensively studied early hominins.
Hominins: Represents the evolutionary group including modern humans and all extinct bipedal relatives, signifying important evolutionary advancements.
Nuchal torus: A bony projection at the back of the cranium for neck muscle attachment, essential for head support.
Acheulian Complex: A stone tool industry from the Early and Middle Pleistocene, recognized for bifacial tools and prevalent mainly in Africa, Southwest Asia, and Western Europe.
Pleistocene: A significant epoch from 1.8 million years ago to 10,000 years ago, characterized by glaciations and commonly referred to as the Ice Age.
Paranthropus: A genus of extinct hominins known as robust australopithecines, marked by strong jaw musculature and specialized grinding teeth.
Pre-australopiths: The oldest and most primitive hominins with fragmentary remains, raising debates regarding their classification within Hominini.
Cranial capacity: Measurement of braincase volume used to estimate brain size in extinct hominins, providing insight into cognitive abilities.
Facial prognathism: Describes the projection of the lower facial skeleton, impacting facial structure and appearance.
Dental arcade: The specific shape formed by upper jaw teeth, influencing dietary adaptations and dental morphology.
Peri-honing: A transitional honing process observed between apes and later hominins, representing evolutionary dental adaptations.
Sagittal keel: A distinct thickening of bone along the midline of the skull, noticeably found in Homo erectus, indicating certain developmental traits.

Description

Test your knowledge on the key terms and concepts related to hominins in ANTH 1020. This quiz covers essential definitions such as sagittal crest, Oldowan complex, and Australopiths. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of human evolution.