Anthropology unit

Question 1

What makes us human?

Answer 1

our unique biological traits (Bipedalism- walking on two legs, large Brain Size, tool Use
Opposable Thumbs) , our complex social behaviors (communication, cooperation), and our cultural heritage (rituals/traditions)

Question 2

The mysteries of mankind video

Question 3

What contributions did Raymond Dart make to our understanding of human evolution?

Answer 3

Discovered Australopithecus (southern ape of Africa)

Question 4

Why is Olduvai Gorge called the Grand Canyon of human evolution and what did the Leakeys find there?

Answer 4

He’s called the grand canyon because it is a unique destination known for fossils and remains of stone tools. Louis and Mary Leakey found the skull of a hominid (Dear Boy) nearly 2 million y/o, older than any hominid fossil ever discovered before

Question 5

How was the Leakey’s fossil dated?

Answer 5

the skull was covered with volcanic ash, it contained radioactive potassium which could be analyzed using accurate radiometric dating technology.

Question 6

How can the behaviour of living primates teach us about these old fossils?

Answer 6

Bones can’t tell us the full story of how we may have acted. Observation of our closest relative, the chimps, might.

Question 7

How do we differ from chimps, and how are we similar?

Answer 7

-both primates
Same: forward facing eyes, grasping hands, and complex social behaviors
Different: brain size, walking upright (help us carry things and see over tall grass)

Question 8

Why did we become upright walkers?

Answer 8

the freeing of the hands to use and carry tools, threat displays, and changes in climate and habitat (from jungle to grassland).

Question 9

Where did it happen?

Answer 9

Africa

Question 10

What did Donald Johnson find?

Answer 10

Lucy, the most complete skeleton of australopithecus

Question 11

What did Mary Leakey find in 1978 and why is this relevant?

Answer 11

Laetoli footprints (3.6 million y/o) which indicate upright walking hominids

Question 12

What experiment did Tim White create and why?

Answer 12

-Created a replica of Lucy the skeleton and had people walk/run on a trackway
-He wanted to see if the way her bones were shaped would affect their walking and running patterns. This experiment proved that Lucy and hominins were bipedal

Question 13

What did the experiment with orangutans prove?

Answer 13

Showed that they can adapt/learn to use tools and they can have problem solving skills

Question 14

Why is the study of fossil teeth important?

Answer 14

-They act as time tellers
-They tell the individual’s age, health of a certain species, diet, and the species lifestyle

Question 15

What contributions did Richard Leakey make to anthropology?

Answer 15

Discovered important hominin fossils in kenya like the “Turkana Boy”

Question 16

Why is it important to understand how early man made and used tools?

Answer 16

Knowing how early humans made and used tools is crucial bc it shows their intelligence and adaptability in a time where they were not provided with many things

Question 17

What do the Boxgrove discoveries reveal about the species that came after Homo Erectus?

Answer 17

They revealed that after Homo Erectus, there were early humans in Europe who were skilled hunters. They left behind tools/animal remains helping our understanding

Question 18

What does Cabara Cave in Israel reveal about Neanderthal man?

Answer 18

Neanderthals were skilled hunters and used tools as well.
They left behind animal bones with cut marks, showing hunting and butchering skills

Question 19

What did charles darwin discover?

Answer 19

Darwin is known for his theory of evolution by natural selection. He said that species evolve over time through a process where individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce

Question 20

What can we learn from primatologists?

Question 21

Jane Goodall

Answer 21

Studied chimpanzees in Tanzania. Discovered their use of tools, complex social behaviors, and emotional depth.

Question 22

Dian Fossey

Answer 22

Studied mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Highlighted their social structure, gentle nature, and the threats they face from poaching.

Question 23

Biruté Galdikas

Answer 23

Studied orangutans in Borneo. Revealed their solitary behavior, long child-rearing periods, and the impact of habitat destruction.

Question 24

Human Similarities and Differences with Other Primates

Question 25

Similarities

Answer 25

-Social Structure: Complex social behaviors and hierarchies.
-Tool Use: Ability to use and create tools.
-Communication: Use of vocalizations and gestures to communicate.
-Emotions: Display of emotions such as joy, grief, and empathy.

Question 26

Differences

Answer 26

Bipedalism: Humans walk upright on two legs.
Brain Size: Larger brain relative to body size,
Culture: Creation and transmission of complex cultures, languages, and technologies.
Extended Childhood: Longer developmental period, allowing for extensive learning and socialization.

Question 27

Noam Chomsky’s theory

Answer 27

the Language Acquisition Device (LAD) is a hypothetical brain mechanism that enables children to quickly learn language rules and structures, even without explicit instruction.

Question 28

Human variation

Question 29

Ashley Montagu

Answer 29

-Offered an explanation of human variation
called “environmental determinism”

-Explained that we look the way we do
based of where our ancestors lived geographically

Question 30

myth

Answer 30

that there are distinct and fixed biological differences, such as race, that determine abilities, behaviors, or intelligence among different groups of people.

Question 31

reality

Answer 31

human variation is genetic, environmental, and cultural factors. traits such as intelligence and behavior are influenced genetics, upbringing, education, and life experiences, rather than by any inherent biological differences between groups.