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Questions and Answers
What do paleoanthropologists primarily rely on to compare different specimens and identify species?
What do paleoanthropologists primarily rely on to compare different specimens and identify species?
- Geological dating of the surrounding rock layers.
- Cultural artifacts found with the fossils.
- Anatomical parts. (correct)
- Genetic analysis of preserved DNA.
Which of the following best describes the significance of the finds of Sahelanthropus tchadensis?
Which of the following best describes the significance of the finds of Sahelanthropus tchadensis?
- It represents the earliest known hominin species.
- It has a cranial capacity larger than any other hominin.
- It provides evidence of early hominin presence in Central Africa. (correct)
- It demonstrates the use of advanced tools from 7-6 million years ago.
What is the approximate age range associated with the Ardipithecus ramidus fossil?
What is the approximate age range associated with the Ardipithecus ramidus fossil?
- 4.4 million years ago (correct)
- 5.8 to 5.2 million years ago
- 2.5 to 1.8 million years ago
- 3.9 to 3.0 million years ago
Which of these hominin species is the Australopithecus afarensis?
Which of these hominin species is the Australopithecus afarensis?
The fossil of Australopithecus sediba dates back to approximately how long ago?
The fossil of Australopithecus sediba dates back to approximately how long ago?
Where have the fossils of Homo naledi been discovered?
Where have the fossils of Homo naledi been discovered?
Which of the following sites is well-known for its Homo erectus fossil discoveries?
Which of the following sites is well-known for its Homo erectus fossil discoveries?
What approximate timeframe is associated with Homo heidelbergensis fossils?
What approximate timeframe is associated with Homo heidelbergensis fossils?
Which anatomical feature is most indicative of Homo sapiens compared to earlier hominins?
Which anatomical feature is most indicative of Homo sapiens compared to earlier hominins?
What is the estimated age of the Jebel Irhoud fossils in Morocco, which are attributed to early Homo sapiens?
What is the estimated age of the Jebel Irhoud fossils in Morocco, which are attributed to early Homo sapiens?
Which site is known for fossils of anatomically modern Homo sapiens?
Which site is known for fossils of anatomically modern Homo sapiens?
The Florisbad skull from South Africa is considered a fossil of?
The Florisbad skull from South Africa is considered a fossil of?
The Omo I and Omo II fossils, contributing to Homo sapiens fossil record, originate from which country?
The Omo I and Omo II fossils, contributing to Homo sapiens fossil record, originate from which country?
What is the significance of the Herto fossils found in Ethiopia?
What is the significance of the Herto fossils found in Ethiopia?
Which of the following sites provides evidence for early Homo sapiens?
Which of the following sites provides evidence for early Homo sapiens?
Which of the following time periods is mostly accurately associated with Homo habilis?
Which of the following time periods is mostly accurately associated with Homo habilis?
Which species is believed to have first migrated out of Africa?
Which species is believed to have first migrated out of Africa?
What distinguishes a hominin from other primates?
What distinguishes a hominin from other primates?
What is thought to be the reason behind why Africa boasts the longest fossil record?
What is thought to be the reason behind why Africa boasts the longest fossil record?
How do the cranial features of Homo sapiens generally differ from those of Homo erectus?
How do the cranial features of Homo sapiens generally differ from those of Homo erectus?
What is the approximate age of the Ardiaithecus kadabba?
What is the approximate age of the Ardiaithecus kadabba?
Which of the following is the most accurate way to identify a fossil?
Which of the following is the most accurate way to identify a fossil?
Which of the following is the most accurate age for O. tugenesis?
Which of the following is the most accurate age for O. tugenesis?
Which of the following statements best reflects the relationship between modern humans and Homo sapiens?
Which of the following statements best reflects the relationship between modern humans and Homo sapiens?
What does the study of fossil morphology primarily provide insights into?
What does the study of fossil morphology primarily provide insights into?
Flashcards
Fossil Evidence: Morphology
Fossil Evidence: Morphology
Relying on anatomical parts to compare specimens and identifying species.
Sahelanthropus tchadensis
Sahelanthropus tchadensis
An extinct genus of chimpanzee-like creatures that existed 7-6 million years ago.
Australopithecus anamensis
Australopithecus anamensis
An extinct hominin species that lived in Eastern Africa about 4.2 to 3.9 million years ago.
Australopithecus afarensis
Australopithecus afarensis
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Australopithecus sediba
Australopithecus sediba
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Homo heidelbergensis
Homo heidelbergensis
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Homo naledi
Homo naledi
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Key H. sapiens features
Key H. sapiens features
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Jebel Irhoud
Jebel Irhoud
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Florisbad
Florisbad
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Omo I
Omo I
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Herto
Herto
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Study Notes
- Fossil evidence suggests an African origin for modern humans
Fossil Evidence: Morphology
- Paleoanthropologists use anatomical parts to compare specimens and identify species
- Fossil comparisons show a range of variation in human anatomy
Fossil Evidence: Before Australopiths
- Africa contains the longest fossil record
- Key specimens include:
- Sahelanthropus tchadensis (7-6 Ma)
- Orrorin tugenensis (5.7 Ma)
- Ardipithecus kadabba (5.2 Ma)
- Ardipithecus ramidus (4.4 Ma)
Fossil Evidence: Australopithecus
- Key specimens include:
- Australopithecus anamensis (4.2 Ma)
- Australopithecus afarensis (3.9 Ma)
- Australopithecus bahrelghazali (3.6 Ma)
- Australopithecus africanus (3 Ma)
- Australopithecus garhi (2.5 Ma)
- Australopithecus sediba (2 Ma)
- Notable fossil locations include sites within the Great Rift Valley, such as:
- Hadar
- Middle Awash
- Lake Turkana
- Olduvai Gorge
- Laetoli
- Sites beyond the Rift Valley:
- Taung.
- Sterkfontein.
- Swartkrans
- Kromdraai
Fossil Evidence: Early Homo
- Fossil locations include sites within the Great Rift Valley, such as:
- Hadar
- Middle Awash
- Lake Turkana
- Olduvai Gorge
- Laetoli
- Sites beyond the Rift Valley:
- Taung.
- Sterkfontein.
- Swartkrans
- Kromdraai
- Key specimens include:
- Early Homo sp. fossils date back to 2.7 Ma and 2.3 Ma
- Homo habilis dates back to 2 Ma
Fossil Evidence: Homo erectus
- Homo erectus specimens have been found across a wide geographical range
- Key sites include locations in:
- Africa
- Europe
- Asia
- Key specimens include:
- Fossils dating back to 2 Ma through to 1 Ma
Fossil Evidence: Homo heidelbergensis
- Key fossil locations include sites in:
- Europe
- Africa
- Asia
- Key specimens include:
- Fossils dating back 600 ka through to 300 ka.
Fossil Evidence: Enigmatic
- Homo naledi was discovered in Rising Star Caves, Gauteng
- Homo heidelbergensis known from Kabwe, Zambia
Fossil Evidence: Homo sapiens
- Early Homo sapiens are found at:
- Jebel Irhoud, Morocco (~315,000 years ago)
- Dar es-Soltan, Morocco (85,000-75,000 years ago)
- Iwo Eleru, Nigeria (~12,000 years ago)
- Ishango, Democratic Republic of the Congo (22,000 years ago)
- Omo I and Omo II, Ethiopia (~195,000 years ago)
- Herto, Ethiopia (~160,000 years ago)
- Florisbad, South Africa (~259,000 years ago)
- Key specimens include: Jebel Irhoud (300 ka)
- Key specimens include: Florisbad (300 ka)
- Key specimens include: Omo I, Homo sapiens (200 ka)
- Key specimens include: Omo II, Homo sapiens? (200 ka)
- Key specimens include: Herto H. sapiens idaltu (160 ka)
Fossil Evidence: Anatomically Modern Homo sapiens
- Aduma Homo sapiens
- Klasier River Mouth Homo sapiens
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