Question 1

Which of the following is an incorrect statement about speech and language capabilities of Neandertal?

Accepted Answer

The hypoglossal canal in Neandertals was not larger than in contemporary humans; this statement is incorrect.

Question 2

One of the first Neandertals was discovered:

Accepted Answer

The first Neandertal was discovered in the Neander Valley in 1856.

Question 3

The sexual division of labor that we find today among foragers is based on biological constraints.

Accepted Answer

The sexual division of labor among foragers is not solely based on biological constraints, but is also influenced by cultural and social factors. For example, in some societies, women may engage in hunting and men may engage in childcare.

Question 4

__________________ is superior in almost every way to materials normally used to make modern-day scalpels.

Accepted Answer

Obsidian is sharper and has a smoother cutting edge than steel or other materials typically used for scalpels. It also causes less tissue trauma and scarring.

Question 5

The greater depth of deposits at Mousterian sites implies that Mousterian people:

Accepted Answer

The greater depth of deposits at Mousterian sites suggests that the Mousterian people were less mobile and spent more time at a particular place, allowing for the accumulation of deeper deposits.

Question 6

The Mousterian tool kits contained a much greater variety of tool types than the previous traditions and allowed users to do all of the following except:

Accepted Answer

The Mousterian tool kits were primarily used for tasks related to hunting, processing food, and crafting clothing and shelter, but they did not include tools for making fire.

Question 7

Sites in Europe and Africa that date roughly between 400,000 and 200,000 years ago contain only parts of one or a very few individuals.The one exception is in northern Spain,where the remains of at least 28 individuals of both sexes -juveniles as well as adults-were deliberately dumped by their contemporaries into a deep cave shaft know today as:

Accepted Answer

The question mentions that only one site contains remains of multiple individuals, and this site is located in northern Spain. The correct answer is C, Sima de los Huesos, which translates to "pit of bones" in English.

Question 8

The name given to a group of archaic H.sapiens from southern Siberia dated to between 30,000 and 50,000 years ago is:

Accepted Answer

The name given to a group of archaic H. sapiens from southern Siberia dated to between 30,000 and 50,000 years ago is Denisovans.

Question 9

In hominids,the hypoglossal canal indicates the ability to:

Accepted Answer

The hypoglossal canal is a passage through the base of the skull that carries the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the movements of the tongue. In hominids, a wider hypoglossal canal indicates that the tongue could perform more complex movements necessary for human speech, indicating an ability to communicate in a way that goes beyond grunts or basic vocalizations.

Question 10

The remains of a partially blind amputee discovered in Shanidar Cave in Iraq,and the remains of a man crippled by arthritis at La Chapelle,suggest that Neandertals:

Accepted Answer

The discovery of the remains of a partially blind amputee and a man crippled by arthritis suggest that Neandertals were able to support handicapped individuals, indicating that they were productive enough to provide for those who could not contribute to hunting and gathering activities.

Question 11

Which technique of making tools involves the preparation of a striking platform at one end of a specially prepared core,after which three or four long,triangular flakes are detached,leaving a nodule shaped like a tortoise shell?

Accepted Answer

The technique described is the Levalloisian method of tool-making, which involves the preparation of a striking platform on a core and the detachment of specific flakes to create a pre-determined shape. The resulting nodule is often shaped like a tortoise shell. The Oldowan technique used simple stone flakes to create tools, while the Acheulian technique involved bifacial flaking to create handaxes. The Paleoindian and Mousterian periods are associated with specific tool cultures but do not have a specific technique associated with them.

Question 12

The Mousterian tool tradition is found in Europe,southwestern Asia,and North Africa between:

Accepted Answer

The Mousterian tool tradition is a Middle Paleolithic stone tool industry that is dated to between 40,000 and 125,000 years ago. It is found in Europe, southwestern Asia, and North Africa.

Question 13

Which scientist argues that "classic" Neandertal features such as sloping foreheads,bunlike appearance at the back of the skull,and distinctively small mastoid processes are commonly present in medieval skulls from Denmark and Norway dated at 10,000 years ago?

Accepted Answer

C.Loring Brace of the University of Michigan argues that these "classic" Neandertal features are commonly present in medieval skulls from Denmark and Norway dated at 10,000 years ago.

Question 14

The typical Neandertal tool-making industry is called:

Accepted Answer

The Mousterian industry is the typical tool-making industry associated with Neandertals. It is characterized by the development of advanced techniques for flaking stone tools to produce a range of functional implements. Options A, B, C, and E are all tool-making industries associated with other hominin groups or time periods.

Question 15

Taking place around 200,000 years ago in Africa,a technological breakthrough called__________________required the affixing of small stone bifaces and flakes in handles of wood to make improved spears and knives.

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question involves attaching stone bifaces and flakes to handles, which is known as hafting. The other choices (gluing, smelting, wrapping, and grooving) do not accurately describe this process.

Question 16

The massive,dense foot and leg bones typical of Neandertals of Europe and southwestern Asia are suggestive of:

Accepted Answer

The dense foot and leg bones suggest high levels of strength and endurance, which would have been necessary for the active lifestyle of hunting and gathering that Neandertals engaged in. This is supported by the overall robustness of their skeletons.

Question 17

Skulls found at Steinheim and Swanscombe have larger brains than H.erectus;the skull at Sale is small but looks modern from the back.Jaws from Morocco and France combine H.erectus and European Neandertal characteristics.The skulls are more robust than modern H.sapiens,and their maximum breadth is lower on the skull.The dates for these skulls are between:

Accepted Answer

The skulls mentioned have characteristics that are a mix of H.erectus and Neandertal, indicating that they may be from an intermediate time period between the two. The dates given range from 200,000 to 400,000 years ago, which overlaps with the time period when both H.erectus and Neandertals were present.

Question 18

The hypoglossal canal in its near-modern large size was seen in fossil skulls dated to:

Accepted Answer

The hypoglossal canal, which allows passage for the hypoglossal nerve responsible for tongue movements, was observed in its near-modern large size in fossil skulls dating back to approximately 500,000 years ago. This feature is often used to infer aspects of speech capabilities in ancient human ancestors.

Question 19

You are a paleoanthropologist excavating a site in southwestern Asia.You come across several bodies buried in graves.Their brains are at least the size of modern humans.Their front teeth are large and worn down from use,the facial projection of their noses and teeth form a kind of prow,and both sexes are muscular and robust.At the back of the skull is a bony mass for the attachment of powerful neck muscles.You decide that they are:

Accepted Answer

The characteristics described in the scenario match those of Neandertals, including the large brain size, robust physique, large and worn front teeth, and bony mass at the back of the skull for powerful neck muscles. Cro-Magnons and modern humans have less robust physiques and less protruding facial features, while H. erectus and A. boisei have smaller brain sizes.

Question 20

Which pigment source was commonly used about 130,000 years ago and is considered indicative of ritual activity according to many archaeologists?

Accepted Answer

Ochre is the pigment source commonly used about 130,000 years ago and is considered indicative of ritual activity by many archaeologists.

Quiz 7: Origins of the Genus Homo