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Questions and Answers
What is primarily responsible for the formation of dolinas in South Africa?
What is primarily responsible for the formation of dolinas in South Africa?
How do small crevices in dolinas form?
How do small crevices in dolinas form?
What happens to sediments in dolinas over time?
What happens to sediments in dolinas over time?
What has been discovered in some dolinas that indicates they were used by hominin groups?
What has been discovered in some dolinas that indicates they were used by hominin groups?
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Which of the following features is typical of dolinas?
Which of the following features is typical of dolinas?
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Which process makes extracting bones from dolinas challenging?
Which process makes extracting bones from dolinas challenging?
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What was significant about the rock quarrying activities at Sterkfontein?
What was significant about the rock quarrying activities at Sterkfontein?
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How deep can dolinas in South Africa typically be?
How deep can dolinas in South Africa typically be?
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Where have all early hominin fossils older than 2 million years been found?
Where have all early hominin fossils older than 2 million years been found?
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Which region in Africa has been noted for having the most successful fossil discoveries?
Which region in Africa has been noted for having the most successful fossil discoveries?
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What unique feature of the Cradle of Humankind contributes to its significant fossil discoveries?
What unique feature of the Cradle of Humankind contributes to its significant fossil discoveries?
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Which year saw the discovery of the Malapa site in South Africa?
Which year saw the discovery of the Malapa site in South Africa?
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What is a major reason for the success in finding fossil remains in South Africa?
What is a major reason for the success in finding fossil remains in South Africa?
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What is one of the most famous fossil sites in South Africa where hominin remains have been found?
What is one of the most famous fossil sites in South Africa where hominin remains have been found?
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What is the significance of the area called the Cradle of Humankind?
What is the significance of the area called the Cradle of Humankind?
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Which hominin remains were discovered in South Africa in 1925?
Which hominin remains were discovered in South Africa in 1925?
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What type of geological feature in South Africa is mentioned as the location where fossils are found?
What type of geological feature in South Africa is mentioned as the location where fossils are found?
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Which species is mentioned as being related to the Tongue Child?
Which species is mentioned as being related to the Tongue Child?
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What is the method used by researchers to remove fossils from breccia?
What is the method used by researchers to remove fossils from breccia?
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How long is the African Rift Valley described as being?
How long is the African Rift Valley described as being?
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In which type of environment are fossils commonly found in East Africa?
In which type of environment are fossils commonly found in East Africa?
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What geological process is responsible for the formation of the African Rift Valley?
What geological process is responsible for the formation of the African Rift Valley?
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Which of the following early hominid species is noted as living along rivers and lakes?
Which of the following early hominid species is noted as living along rivers and lakes?
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How far back do the sediments in the African Rift Valley date?
How far back do the sediments in the African Rift Valley date?
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What significant discovery did Mary Leakey make in 1978?
What significant discovery did Mary Leakey make in 1978?
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Where were animal and hominin footprints preserved in mud found?
Where were animal and hominin footprints preserved in mud found?
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How old are the footprints found at Laetoli compared to those at Kubifora?
How old are the footprints found at Laetoli compared to those at Kubifora?
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What is the significance of the possible stone tools discovered in West Turkana?
What is the significance of the possible stone tools discovered in West Turkana?
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What type of sediment is prevalent in the Afar Triangle?
What type of sediment is prevalent in the Afar Triangle?
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Approximately how many bones of early hominins have been recovered from Hadar?
Approximately how many bones of early hominins have been recovered from Hadar?
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What geological feature is the Afar Depression a part of?
What geological feature is the Afar Depression a part of?
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What information does the Laetoli footprints provide about early hominins?
What information does the Laetoli footprints provide about early hominins?
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What significant evidence has been found at Olduvai Gorge that indicates hominins lived there?
What significant evidence has been found at Olduvai Gorge that indicates hominins lived there?
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What role did Lewis and Mary Leakey play in the research at Olduvai Gorge?
What role did Lewis and Mary Leakey play in the research at Olduvai Gorge?
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What type of ancient plant remains were identified at Olduvai Gorge?
What type of ancient plant remains were identified at Olduvai Gorge?
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What geographical characteristic does Olduvai Gorge have in relation to the Ngorongoro Crater?
What geographical characteristic does Olduvai Gorge have in relation to the Ngorongoro Crater?
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During what environmental conditions do current researchers typically find fossils at Olduvai Gorge?
During what environmental conditions do current researchers typically find fossils at Olduvai Gorge?
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Which of the following sites is NOT mentioned as a hominin site in East Africa?
Which of the following sites is NOT mentioned as a hominin site in East Africa?
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What natural feature covered the remains of hominids post-mortem?
What natural feature covered the remains of hominids post-mortem?
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What is the current environmental condition surrounding Olduvai Gorge compared to its past?
What is the current environmental condition surrounding Olduvai Gorge compared to its past?
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What is the significance of the Katagona stone tools?
What is the significance of the Katagona stone tools?
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What is the primary task of the crew once a hominid fossil is found?
What is the primary task of the crew once a hominid fossil is found?
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What is the main challenge in recovering fossils according to the content?
What is the main challenge in recovering fossils according to the content?
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What is the main purpose of screening sediments through fine mesh?
What is the main purpose of screening sediments through fine mesh?
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What composition does the crew hunting for fossils generally include?
What composition does the crew hunting for fossils generally include?
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Why do fossil hunting areas change over years?
Why do fossil hunting areas change over years?
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What do researchers attempt to do once they have gathered enough fossil fragments?
What do researchers attempt to do once they have gathered enough fossil fragments?
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What type of tools were primarily found at Katagona?
What type of tools were primarily found at Katagona?
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Study Notes
Lecture 5: Early Fossil Hominin Sites in Africa
- Hominins, our lineage, are a special branch of the ape lineage
- All early hominin fossils older than 2 million years have been found in Africa
Key Regions for Hominin Fossils
- East Africa
- South Africa
South African Fossil Sites
- Specific areas are rich in hominin skeletal remains
- Likely due to higher populations or specific geological features promoting preservation
- Focus on cave sites, specifically vertically oriented caves called dolinas
- Dolinas form from the dissolving of limestone or dolomite bedrock
- Rainwater acidity contributes to dissolution
Famous South African Sites
- Tong Child Cranium (1925)
- Sterkfontein, Kromdraai, Swartkrans (1930s-1940s)
- Malapa (2008)
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cradle of Humankind
Important Aspects of Cave Sites
- Stone tools found associated with hominin fossils
- Bones are often cemented/fossilized
- Excavation is meticulous, involving the removal of breccia
East African Fossil Sites
- Fossils found in deposits alongside ancient rivers and lakes within the East African Rift Valley
- Rift Valley is characterized by geologic fault lines with significant sediment deposits
- Famous sites include: Olduvai Gorge, Laetoli, Kubifora, West Turkana, Hadar, and Katagona
Specific Sites and Discoveries
- Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania: Ancient lake, hominin and animal fossils; stone tools
- Laetoli, Tanzania: 3.7 million-year-old hominin footprints
- Kubifora and West Turkana, Kenya: Older fossils (4-1 million years)
- Hadar, Ethiopia: Numerous hominin remains (4.5-3 million years); Stone tools
- Katagona, Ethiopia: Stone tools
Fossil Excavation Techniques
- Careful excavation to determine strata
- Tools for removal and preservation
- Careful screening of sediments for small fragments
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Description
Explore the significant early hominin fossil sites in Africa, focusing on East and South Africa. Learn about famous fossil discoveries, such as the Tong Child Cranium and the Cradle of Humankind, as well as the geological conditions that promote fossil preservation. This quiz delves into the importance of cave sites and the meticulous excavation processes involved.
