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Introduction: Hominin is a term used frequently to indicate the human lineage’s extinct members. Significant diversity was observed in all the anatomical characteristics of the first hominins.
Answer to Problem 1SQ
Correct answer: Option c) bipedal locomotion
Explanation of Solution
Reasons for the correct answer:
Option c) is given as “bipedal locomotion”.
Two obligate behaviors that define hominins are nonhoning chewing and the bipedal locomotion. These two behaviors preceded material culture as well as the speech by several million years and very clear evidence is present for this.
Hence option c) is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect answers:
Option a) is given as “communication through speech”. Speech defines humans at present and it is not a behavior of hominins. Hence, option a) is incorrect.
Option b) is given as “modification of stone to make tools”. A material culture like making stool by modifying stones is also not a behavior of hominins. Hence, option b) is incorrect.
Option d) is given as “increased brain size”. Increased brain size, that is, the large brain reflects the present human intelligence and therefore it is not a behavior of hominins. Hence, option d) is incorrect.
Therefore, options a), b), and d) are incorrect.
Therefore, the characteristics that were found in the earliest hominins are bipedal locomotion.
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Chapter 10 Solutions
Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology (Fourth Edition)
- According to "The Life and Death of a Neanderthal (Shanidar 1)”, what were some of the tools that Neanderthals created? A.Ships, shovels and swords B.Oldowan choppers and spears C.Wheelbarrows and fishing rods D.Spears, wooden trowels and digging sticksarrow_forwardWhich of the following is one of the main tendencies observed in early hominins, such as australopithecines? A. Decrease in the number of incisors B. Reduced canine size C. Increased facial prognathism D. Increased diastemaarrow_forwardAccording to "Our Earliest Ancestors", what is the main physical feature on Sahelanthropus tchadensis that indicates it was a biped? A.The non-divergent big toe B.The angle of the femur C.The foramen magnum D.The shape of the hipsarrow_forward
- What is one anatomical difference between Australopithecines and other early hominins, such as Ardi? A. There were no anatomical differences between Ardi and the Australopithecines. B. Ardi had a divergent big toe while the Australopithecines had non-divergent big toes. C. Australopithecines had more facial prognathism than Ardi. D. Australopithecines had larger canines than Ardi.arrow_forwardWhat two things distinguish us (and other hominins) from other primates? A. Bipedalism and Large Brains B. Bipedalism and Telepathy C. Quadrupedalism and Large Brains D. Bipedalism and Tool Usearrow_forwardWhat kind of tools did Lucy and other Australopithecines most likely use? A. An advanced stone tool like the Acheulean hand axe B. Wheelbarrows C. A bow and arrow D. A crude stone tool like the Oldowan Chopperarrow_forward
- According to "Our Earliest Ancestors", what two things distinguish us (and other hominins) from other primates? A.Bipedalism and Large Brains B.Bipedalism and Tool Use C.Quadrupedalism and Large Brains D.Bipedalism and Telepathyarrow_forwardWhich features characteristic of humans are unlikely to fossilize? a. the bones and dung b. the jaws and dung c. behavioural and soft tissue features d. behavioural and hard tissue featuresarrow_forwardAccording to "Our Earliest Ancestors", what two things distinguish us (and other hominins) from other primates? A.Bipedalism and Tool Use B.Bipedalism and Telepathy C.Bipedalism and Large Brains D.Quadrupedalism and Large Brainsarrow_forward
- According to "Homo erectus – The First Humans”, what are key features that are shared among the Homo erectus species? A.Larger bodies B.Smaller brains C.Smaller teeth and jaws D.Both A and Carrow_forwardAccording to "The Life and Death of a Neanderthal (Shanidar 1)”, what finally killed Nandy? A.He lost his leg in battle B.A cave-in C.A spear to the back D.A tooth infectionarrow_forwardWhy are plesiadapiforms most likely the earliest primate ancestors? A. They do not have a postorbital bar or plate B. Their eyes are forward-facing C. They have grasping fingers D. They have clawsarrow_forward
