Concept explainers
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)
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