Anthropology Basics Quiz

An extinct hominin species, existing from 3 to 2 million years ago, characterized by a gracile build, small canines, and a high forehead, lacking a pronounced brow ridge.

Robust hominin species; from 2-1.5 million years ago; characterized by a strong jaw and very large molars.

A nearly complete fossilized skeleton of an Australopithecus afarensis, approximately 3.2 million years old; famous for demonstrating bipedal adaptations.

A fraudulent archaeological find; a fossil skull falsely presented as evidence of an early human ancestor.

Physical traits like a bowl-shaped pelvis, angled femur, and arched feet that support upright walking.

A geologically dynamic region in eastern Africa where frequent volcanic activity occurs, and which yields many hominin fossils.

The study of ancient life's actual biology and functions.

The evolutionary history or relationships among species.

The transfer of genetic material from one species to another through repeated interbreeding.

The exchange of genetic information between Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis, which occurred between 65,000 and 47,000 years ago.

An extinct human species, nicknamed 'hobbits', found in Indonesia. They lived until about 18,000 years ago and were characterized by their small size and brains.

An extinct human species discovered in South Africa, dating back 335,000 to 236,000 years ago. They possessed a mix of primitive and advanced traits, including a small brain and curved fingers.

A site in Ethiopia where the oldest Homo sapiens remains were found, dating back 195,000 years ago.

A Homo sapiens fossil discovered in Ethiopia by Tim White in 2003, representing a late stage of human evolution.

Sites in Israel where early Homo sapiens fossils were found, dating back 130,000 to 100,000 years ago. These fossils are thought to represent an early migration out of Africa.

A site in France where evidence of Homo sapiens presence was found, dating back 32,000 years ago. This arrival coincides with the disappearance of Neanderthals.

Footprints preserved in volcanic ash in Tanzania, dating back to 3.6 million years ago. Made by Australopithecus afarensis, they provide strong evidence of bipedalism.

Layers of volcanic ash in Hadar, Ethiopia, that act as time markers, separating different geological periods and helping to date hominin fossils.

A group of hominins characterized by large, robust skulls, powerful jaws, and massive cheekbones. Examples: Paranthropus aethiopicus, P. robustus, and P. boisei.

A group of hominins characterized by a more delicate, slender build compared to robust australopiths. Examples: Australopithecus afarensis, Au. africanus, Au. bahrelghazali, and Au. anamensis.

The earliest known stone tools, characterized by simple, flaked stones. Dating back to at least 3.3 million years ago, they were likely used for tasks like butchering carcasses and digging.

Advanced stone tools, associated with Neanderthals. These characteristically include a variety of specialized tools created by striking flakes from a core.

Distinctive physical characteristics of Neanderthals, including a robust build, prominent brow ridges, a receding chin, and a large braincase with a prominent occipital bun.

An extinct hominin species, known primarily from DNA recovered from finger bones and teeth found in a Siberian cave. Their genetic material has been used to understand Neanderthal DNA.

Francis Galton, a social Darwinist, believed that biological inheritance played a more significant role than environment in determining intelligence.

Anthropometry is the measurement of living human individuals to understand physical variations.

Franz Boas challenged the idea of fixed racial differences, arguing that environmental influences cause 'racial plasticity,' supporting this through studies of immigrants.

Racial typologies are attempts to categorize humans into distinct races based on different theories, including pre-evolutionary (fixed), evolutionary (separate evolutions), and diversity-based (adaptation or history).

Monogenism: all races descend from a single origin. Polygenism: different races originated independently, often linked to young earth creationism.