Question 1

_____________ fossils dating from a little more than 2 million years ago to about 1.6 million years ago were found in 1964 in East Africa's Olduvai Gorge.

Accepted Answer

Homo habilis fossils were discovered in 1964 in East Africa's Olduvai Gorge, dating from a little more than 2 million years ago to about 1.6 million years ago.

Question 2

The majority of _____________ material comes from about twelve fossils, with very little postcranial material, found in East Africa and dating to between 2.4 and 1.6 million years ago.

Accepted Answer

Homo rudolfensis is known from only a few fossils, mostly from East Africa and dating to between 2.4 and 1.6 million years ago.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the main perspectives of the current debate over the classification of fossils belonging to the genus Homo dating to between about 1.8 and 0.5 million years ago?

Accepted Answer

The correct perspectives in the debate over the classification of Homo fossils from this period include the idea of a single species (Homo erectus), multiple species with migrations out of Africa, and a continuous lineage of Homo sapiens from 1.8 million years ago to present. The incorrect perspective is that all members of the genus Homo from 1.8 to 0.3 million years ago are classified as Homo sapiens, as this does not align with the current scientific understanding of human evolution.

Question 4

In central Eurasia, the earliest hominin finds come from a site in

Accepted Answer

The earliest hominin finds in central Eurasia come from a site in the Republic of Georgia called Dmanisi, dating to about 1.7 million years ago. This site provides crucial evidence for the early dispersal of hominins out of Africa into Eurasia.

Question 5

Which of the following is true regarding Acheulean tools?

Accepted Answer

Acheulean tools are associated with Homo erectus and are found in various locations from Southern Africa to the British Islands and the Indian subcontinent. However, their presence in East or Southeast Asia is limited, with discoveries at only a single site in these regions, highlighting the geographical spread and limitations of Acheulean tool use.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT true regarding Acheulean tools?

Accepted Answer

The "hand axe" characteristic of Acheulean tools was not named for being hafted like a modern axe. Instead, it was a large, teardrop-shaped, bifacially flaked stone tool, primarily held in the hand, not attached to a handle or shaft.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT true regarding Acheulean tools?

Accepted Answer

Acheulean tools are known for their relatively sharp edges, which were achieved by striking flakes off both sides of a stone. This technique contrasts with the description of flakes having weak, dull edges.

Question 8

The megadontia quotient (MQ) is a measure of

Accepted Answer

The megadontia quotient (MQ) specifically measures the premolar/molar tooth area relative to body size, indicating the relative size of these teeth compared to the overall body size.

Question 9

A sagittal crest is

Accepted Answer

A sagittal crest is located on the top of the skull, running along the midline between the parietal bones. It serves as an attachment site for the temporalis muscles, which are used in chewing.

Question 10

The ability to use a(n) _____________ grip is an important requirement for making tools.

Accepted Answer

A precision grip, which involves the ability to grasp an object in a way that allows for fine manipulation and control, is crucial for making tools. This grip is characterized by the opposition of the thumb to the fingertips, enabling detailed and precise movements necessary in tool production.

Question 11

A precision grip is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A precision grip is which of the...

Question 12

Olduwan/Oldowan refers to

Accepted Answer

Oldowan refers to a type of early stone tool technology characterized by simple, modified stones used by early humans.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT true regarding Olduwan/Oldowan tools?

Accepted Answer

Oldowan tools date to about 2.6 million years ago, not 3.5 million years ago. This makes option C incorrect as it inaccurately extends the age of these tools.

Question 14

A supraorbital torus is

Accepted Answer

A supraorbital torus is a prominent ridge above the eye sockets on the frontal bone, not on the top of the skull or associated with the temporal bones.

Question 15

Zygomatic arches are made up of the

Accepted Answer

The zygomatic arches are formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the temporal process of the zygomatic bone, not the maxilla. However, among the given options, B is the closest to being correct as it mentions the temporal bones, which are part of the structure of the zygomatic arches.

Question 16

The best definition for a mosaic habitat is

Accepted Answer

A mosaic habitat is characterized by the presence of mixed habitat types, which can include any combination of environments such as savanna, woodland, forested, wet, and dry areas. This diversity creates a complex ecosystem where a variety of species can thrive.

Question 17

Homo is best characterized by

Accepted Answer

Homo, the genus that includes modern humans and our closest extinct relatives, is characterized by bipedal locomotion (walking on two legs), large brains compared to body size, and biocultural evolution, which refers to the interplay between biological and cultural processes in human evolution.

Question 18

In this text, the australopithecines are best described as

Accepted Answer

The australopithecines include all species within the genera Australopithecus and Paranthropus, reflecting a broader group of early hominins that lived during the Plio-Pleistocene era.

Question 19

Shovel-shaped incisors

Accepted Answer

The answer of Shovel-shaped incisors
...

Question 20

The Pliocene ended

Accepted Answer

The Pliocene Epoch ended about 5 million years ago, transitioning into the Pleistocene Epoch.

Quiz 8: Plio-Pleistocene Hominins and the Genus Homo

_____________ fossils dating from a little more than 2 million years ago to about 1.6 million years ago were found in 1964 in East Africa's Olduvai Gorge.

The majority of _____________ material comes from about twelve fossils, with very little postcranial material, found in East Africa and dating to between 2.4 and 1.6 million years ago.

Which of the following is NOT one of the main perspectives of the current debate over the classification of fossils belonging to the genus Homo dating to between about 1.8 and 0.5 million years ago?

In central Eurasia, the earliest hominin finds come from a site in

Which of the following is true regarding Acheulean tools?

Which of the following is NOT true regarding Acheulean tools?

Which of the following is NOT true regarding Acheulean tools?

The megadontia quotient (MQ) is a measure of

A sagittal crest is

The ability to use a(n) _____________ grip is an important requirement for making tools.

A precision grip is which of the following?

Olduwan/Oldowan refers to

Which of the following is NOT true regarding Olduwan/Oldowan tools?

A supraorbital torus is

Zygomatic arches are made up of the

The best definition for a mosaic habitat is

Homo is best characterized by

In this text, the australopithecines are best described as

Shovel-shaped incisors

The Pliocene ended