What was found at Blombos Cave?

What was found at Blombos Cave?

a. Bone tools
b. Decorated ocher fragments
c. Beads
d. All of the above
e. a and c only

Answer: D

Types of Upper Paleolithic art include which of the following?

Types of Upper Paleolithic art include which of the following?

a. engravings
b. cave paintings
c. sculptured figurines
d. all of these
e. a and b only

Answer: D

Beginning about 900,000 years ago, human fossils from Africa and Europe are placed within Homo

Beginning about 900,000 years ago, human fossils from Africa and Europe are placed within Homo 

a. erectus.
b. habilis
c. neanderthalensis
d. antecessor
e. heidelbergensis

Answer: E

Which of the following is an unusual aspect of the skeletal remains of Homo floresiensis?

Which of the following is an unusual aspect of the skeletal remains of Homo floresiensis?

a. Its short stature.
b. Its small cranial capacity
c. The date of 18,000 years ago.
d. a and b only
e. all of these

Answer: E

The Lagar Velho specimen

The Lagar Velho specimen 

a. is from Portugal
b. is dated to about 24,500 years ago
c. may be an example of admixture between Neandertals and early modern humans
d. A and C only
e. all of these

Answer: E

Where have the fossil remains of forty or more Homo erectus individuals and thousands of artifacts been found?

Where have the fossil remains of forty or more Homo erectus individuals and thousands of artifacts been found?

a. Sangiran
b. Zhoukoudian
c. Olduvai
d. Trinil
e. Lantian

Answer: B

What do the fossil remains from Dmanisi indicate?

What do the fossil remains from Dmanisi indicate? 

a. Large brains were required to migrate out of Africa.
b. Complex stone tools were required to migrate out of Africa.
c. Large brains were NOT required to migrate out of Africa.
d. a and b only
e. b and c only

Answer: C

Australopithecus robustus large masticatory complex (large molars, face, and muscles) indicate an adaptation:

Australopithecus robustus large masticatory complex (large molars, face, and muscles) indicate an adaptation:

a. to eating food that had sand in it
b. to eating a great deal of red meat
c. to gnawing on bones.
d. to eating foods like tubers, seeds, and nuts
e. to eating very soft foods

Answer: D

Homo rudolfensis is morphologically similar to:

Homo rudolfensis is morphologically similar to:

a. Homo erectus
b. Homo sapiens
c. Homo habilis
d. Australopithecus robustus
e. Ardipithecus ramidus

Answer: C

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops was important mainly because:

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops was important mainly because:

a. it had a small brain like an ape's
b. it was discovered in Kenya
c. it showed diversity in the hominin fossil record 3.5 mya
d. it probably lived in woodlands
e. it was discovered in Los Angeles

Answer: C

The fossils attributed to Australopithecus garhi were found at the Bouri site, in Ethiopia, along with:

The fossils attributed to Australopithecus garhi were found at the Bouri site, in Ethiopia, along with:

a. wooden spears.
b. animal bones with cutmarks
c. evidence for early Homo
d. fossil footprints
e. a Rolex

Answer: B

About how old are the earliest stone tools?

About how old are the earliest stone tools?

a. 2.6 million years old
b. 25,000 years old
c. 250,000 years old
d. 25 million years old
e. none of these

Answer: A

The only pre australopithecine found outside the East African Rift Valley is:

The only pre australopithecine found outside the East African Rift Valley is:

a. Orrorin tugenensis
b. Ardipithecus kadabba
c. Ardipithecus ramidus
d. Australopithecus anamensis
e. Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Answer: E

The fossil skeleton known as "Lucy" belongs to which species?

The fossil skeleton known as "Lucy" belongs to which species?

a. africanus
b. aethiopicus
c. habilis
d. boisei
e. afarensis

Answer: E

Recently discovered remains from the Tugen Hills, dated to about 6 million years ago have been placed in which genus?

Recently discovered remains from the Tugen Hills, dated to about 6 million years ago have been placed in which genus?

a. Sahelanthropu
b. Australopithecus
c. Paranthropus
d. Ardipithecus
e. Orrorin

Answer: E

The current evidence indicates that hominids were bipedal by when?

The current evidence indicates that hominids were bipedal by when?

a. 4.5 million years ago
b. 5 to 7 million years ago
c. 8 to 10 million years ago
d. 3 to 4 million years ago

Answer: B

The terms Sivapithecus, Proconsul, and Dryopithecus¸ applied to different groups of Miocene hominoids, refer to a distinction made at what taxonomic level?

The terms Sivapithecus, Proconsul, and Dryopithecus¸ applied to different groups of Miocene hominoids, refer to a distinction made at what taxonomic level?

a. species
b. genus
c. subfamily
d. family
e. order

Answer: B

Where has the oldest evidence of human culture been found, exemplified by jewelry objects?

Where has the oldest evidence of human culture been found, exemplified by jewelry objects?

a. Asia
b. Africa
c. Central Europe
d. Western Europe
e. South America

Answer: B

Which of the following sites, dated to approximately 300,000 years ago, has yielded a sample representing about thirty Homo heidelbergensis individuals?

Which of the following sites, dated to approximately 300,000 years ago, has yielded a sample representing about thirty Homo heidelbergensis individuals?

a. Ehringsdorf
b. Atapuerca
c. Steinheim
d. Swanscombe
e. Petralona

Answer: B

The skeleton of a 40 to 45 year old male with a healed fracture to the face, right arm, and right leg was found at which site?

The skeleton of a 40 to 45 year old male with a healed fracture to the face, right arm, and right leg was found at which site?

a. Amud
b. Shanidar
c. Tabun
d. Qafzeh
e. Krapina

Answer: B

Neandertal brain size

Neandertal brain size

a. was smaller, on average, than that of modern humans
b. was larger, on average, than that of modern humans
c. was smaller, on average, than that of Homo erectus
d. averaged about 2,500 cm3
e. averaged about 1,100 cm3

Answer: B

The almost complete skeleton of a male Homo erectus, with an approximate age at death of 8 years old, was found where?

The almost complete skeleton of a male Homo erectus, with an approximate age at death of 8 years old, was found where?

a. Olduvai
b. Lantian
c. West Turkana
d. Zhoukoudian
e. Trinil

Answer: C

Where is the Acheulean tool industry found?

Where is the Acheulean tool industry found?

a. Africa
b. western Europe
c. southwest Asia
d. b and c only
e. all of these

Answer: E

Fluorine analysis can only be used on which of the following?

Fluorine analysis can only be used on which of the following?

a. volcanic rock
b. fossilized plants
c. bone
d. sedimentary rock
e. petrified wood

Answer: C

The term Homo ergaster

The term Homo ergaster

a. is sometimes used to refer to African Homo erectus specimens
b. is sometimes used to refer to Asian Homo erectus specimens
c. is fully accepted by all paleoanthropologists
d. was initially proposed by Eugene Dubois
e. b and c only

Answer: A

Which of the following contributes most to skin color?

Which of the following contributes most to skin color?

a. hemoglobin
b. melanin
c. carotene
d. vitamin D
e. none of these

Answer: B

Acclimatization refers to which of the following?

Acclimatization refers to which of the following?

a. long-term adaptations of species to certain environmental conditions
b. an individual's short-term physiological responses to the environment
c. the appearance of a new species
d. slow genetic changes in populations
e. none of these

Answer: B

A polytypic species

A polytypic species 

a. is one that has no phenotypic variability
b. has never been observed in nature
c. is one composed of local populations that differ from one another with regard to the expression of no more than three traits
d. is one composed of local populations that differ from one another with regard to the expression of one or more traits
e, a and b only

Answer: D

Who was responsible for popularizing eugenics among 19th century Europeans?

Who was responsible for popularizing eugenics among 19th century Europeans?

a. Charles Darwin
b. Francis Galton
c. Georges Cuvier
d. Charles Lyell
e. Thomas Jefferson

Answer: B

Bergmann's rule

Bergmann's rule

a. states that a linear body with long arms and legs is optimal for cold climates
b. concerns the relationship between climate and shape and size of appendages
c. states that bodies with increased mass or volume to surface area are optimal for cold climates
d. is based upon the principle that as arms increase in length, there is a corresponding increase in surface area
e. is based on the principle that heat is retained at the body surface

Answer: C

What was found at Blombos Cave?

What was found at Blombos Cave?

a. Bone tools
b. Decorated ocher fragments
c. Beads
d. All of the above
e. a and c only

Answer: D

Types of Upper Paleolithic art include which of the following?

Types of Upper Paleolithic art include which of the following?

a. engravings
b. cave paintings
c. sculptured figurines
d. all of these
e. a and b only

Answer: D

The Kow Swamp remains

The Kow Swamp remains 

a. are more robust than the Lake Mungo remains
b. are less robust than the Lake Mungo remains
c. are from Australia
d. a and c only
e. b and c only

Answer: D

The Lagar Velho specimen

The Lagar Velho specimen 

a. is from Portugal
b. is dated to about 24,500 years ago
c. may be an example of admixture between Neandertals and early modern humans
d. A and C only
e. all of these

Answer: E

According to Partial Replacement Models, modern humans first appeared in Africa

According to Partial Replacement Models, modern humans first appeared in Africa 

a. and interbred with premodern populations of Eurasia, thus partially displacing them
b. and remained there until modern humans from Asia displaced them
c. about 500,000 years ago
d. but were later displaced by European Neandertals
e. a and b only

Answer: A

What is the atlatl?

What is the atlatl?

a. type of projectile point
b. It is used for starting fires.
c. It is used to increase the force and distance of a spear throw.
d. a drill
e. It is used for fishing.

Answer: C

The Upper Paleolithic culture period is divided into categories based on stone tool technologies. What do these include?

The Upper Paleolithic culture period is divided into categories based on stone tool technologies. What do these include?

a. Solutrean
b. Magdalenian
c. Aurignacian
d. a and b only
e. all of these

Answer: E

Which of these sites are located in the Near East?

Which of these sites are located in the Near East?

a. Skhul Cave
b. Qzafzeh Cave
c. Ordos Cave
d. All of the above
e. a and b only

Answer: E

Thus far, the earliest specimens of modern Homo sapiens are from which site?

Thus far, the earliest specimens of modern Homo sapiens are from which site?

a. Omo
b. Klasies River Mouth
c. Qafzeh
d. Cro-Magnon
e. Kow Swamp

Answer: A

Although there is not complete agreement, current evidence indicates that the earliest anatomically modern Homo sapiens fossils are from which geographical location?

Although there is not complete agreement, current evidence indicates that the earliest anatomically modern Homo sapiens fossils are from which geographical location?

a. China
b. India
c. Germany
d. France
e. Africa

Answer: E

Some assumptions about the hunting capabilities of premodern humans have been challenged by an interesting archaeological find at Schöningen. What did they find?

Some assumptions about the hunting capabilities of premodern humans have been challenged by an interesting archaeological find at Schöningen. What did they find?

a. a bow and arrow
b. wooden spears
c. metal tools
d. gunpowder
e. none of these

Answer: B

The ________ epoch has been called the "Ice Age."

The ________ epoch has been called the "Ice Age."

a. Pleistocene
b. Paleocene
c. Pliocene
d. Miocene
e. Eocene

Answer: A

Beginning about 900,000 years ago, human fossils from Africa and Europe are placed within Homo

Beginning about 900,000 years ago, human fossils from Africa and Europe are placed within Homo 

a. erectus
b. habilis
c. neanderthalensis
d. antecessor
e. heidelbergensis

Answer: E

Shanidar cave is located in which country?

Shanidar cave is located in which country?

a. Israel
b. France
c. Germany
d. Croatia
e. Iraq

Answer: E

During glacial periods, the climate in Africa became

During glacial periods, the climate in Africa became 

a. colder
b. warmer
c. more arid
d. more humid
e. a and c only




Answer: C

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops was important mainly because:

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops was important mainly because:

a. it had a small brain like an ape's
b. it was discovered in Kenya
c. it showed diversity in the hominin fossil record 3.5 mya
d. it probably lived in woodlands
e. it probably lived in Asia

Answer: C

The fossils attributed to Australoptihecus garhi were found at the Bouri site, in Ethiopia, along with:

The fossils attributed to Australoptihecus garhi were found at the Bouri site, in Ethiopia, along with:

a. abundant spears.
b. animal bones with cutmarks
c. evidence for early Homo
d. fossil footprints
e. fossil teeth

Answer: B

The most complete Homo erectus skeleton found to date

The most complete Homo erectus skeleton found to date

a. is properly known as WT 15000
b. also known as Turkana Boy
c. is that of a 8 year old male
d. all of these
e. none of these

Answer: D

What feature(s) convinced Raymond Dart that the Taung child was not an ape?

What feature(s) convinced Raymond Dart that the Taung child was not an ape?

a. the position of the foramen magnum, which indicated an erect posture
b. the fact that the deciduous canine teeth were quite small
c. the shape and orientation of the forehead
d. all of these
e. none of these

Answer: D

The only pre australopithecine (nicknamed Tuomai) found outside the East African Rift Valley is:

The only pre australopithecine (nicknamed Tuomai) found outside the East African Rift Valley is:

a. Orrorin tugenensis
b. Ardipithecus kadabba
c. Ardipithecus ramidus
d. Australopithecus anamensis
e. Sahelanthropus tchadensis

Answer: E

Robust australopithecines were extinct by:

Robust australopithecines were extinct by:

a. 1 mya
b. 3 mya
c. 4 mya
d. 5 mya
e. their lineage continued

Answer: A

Robust australopithecines are also known as the genus________.

Robust australopithecines are also known as the genus________.

a. Orrorin
b. Sahelanthropus
c. Gigantopithecus
d. Paranthropus
e. Tarantulapithecus





Answer: D

Ardi's intermediate form of bipedality included the use of:

Ardi's intermediate form of bipedality included the use of:

a. longer hind limbs for clinging and leaping
b. palms and feet to move along tree branches
c. knucklewalking
d. very long arms to wrap around tree trunks
e. prehensile tail

Answer: B

Based on the morphology of the hand phalanx, Orrorin tugenensis lived in a:

Based on the morphology of the hand phalanx, Orrorin tugenensis lived in a:

a. dry savannah
b. cave
c. open grasslands
d. forest environment
e. desert

Answer: D

The most likely contender for the common ancestor to all later catarrhines is:

The most likely contender for the common ancestor to all later catarrhines is:

a. Oligopithecus
b. Aegyptopithecus
c. Parapithecus
d. Apidium
e. Pleased Pithecus

Answer: B

The cranial remains from Dmanisi

The cranial remains from Dmanisi 

a. are essentially indistinguishable from modern Homo sapiens
b. bear some similarities to early Homo specimens from Africa
c. bear some similarities to Homo erectus specimens
d. have cranial capacities that exceed 1,500 cubic centimeters
e. b and c only

Answer: E

During the Miocene epoch of the Cenozoic era, there was an adaptive radiation of which kind of primate?

During the Miocene epoch of the Cenozoic era, there was an adaptive radiation of which kind of primate?

a. prosimians
b. monkeys
c. apes
d. humans
e. tarsiers

Answer: C

Of the hominin sites listed below, which one has fossil material that is the earliest possible evidence for Homo erectus in Western Europe?

Of the hominin sites listed below, which one has fossil material that is the earliest possible evidence for Homo erectus in Western Europe? 

a. Atapuerca (Sima del Elefante)
b. Ceprano
c. Ubeidiya
d. Boxgrove
e. Dmanisi

Answer: A

Who made the first discovery of what we now call Homo erectus fossil remains?

Who made the first discovery of what we now call Homo erectus fossil remains?

a. Eugene Dubois
b. Franz Weidenreich
c. Louis Leakey
d. Raymond Dart
e. Richard Leakey

Answer: A

Where is the Dmanisi site located?

Where is the Dmanisi site located?

a. North Africa
b. South Africa
c. Java
d. Eastern Europe
e. none of these

Answer: D

Homo erectus/ergaster appeared in East Africa about ___ million years ago.

Homo erectus/ergaster appeared in East Africa about ___ million years ago.

a. 1.5
b. 2.3
c. 6.0
d. 1.0
e. 1.8

Answer: E

Which feature(s) is/are typical of Homo erectus crania?

Which feature(s) is/are typical of Homo erectus crania?

a. the presence of large supraorbital tori and a strong nuchal torus
b. a pentagonal-shaped skull (when viewed from behind)
c. relatively little forehead development
d. all of these
e. a and c only

Answer: D

Thus far, there is agreement that all hominins found outside Africa are members of which genus?

Thus far, there is agreement that all hominins found outside Africa are members of which genus?

a. Australopithecus
b. Ardipithecus
c. Paranthropus
d. Homo
e. a and b only

Answer: D

The first true primate (with the suite of traits we have come to expect with primates) arose in which epoch of the Cenozoic?

The first true primate (with the suite of traits we have come to expect with primates) arose in which epoch of the Cenozoic? 

a. Paleocene
b. Eocene
c. Oligocene
d. Miocene
e. Pliocene

Answer: B

The fossil skeleton known as "Lucy" belongs to which species?

The fossil skeleton known as "Lucy" belongs to which species?

a. africanus
b. aethiopicus
c. habilis
d. boisei
e. afarensis

Answer: E

Where have Miocene hominoid fossils been found?

Where have Miocene hominoid fossils been found?

a. North America
b. Australia
c. Mexico
d. South America
e. Africa, Europe, and Asia

Answer: E

Adaptive advantages of bipedalism include which of the following?

Adaptive advantages of bipedalism include which of the following?

a. freeing the hands for making and using tools
b. earlier predator detection
c. more efficient cooling of the body when one is exposed to the direct sun
d. a and b only
e. all of these

Answer: E

Dating methods indicating that something is older or more recent than something else

Dating methods indicating that something is older or more recent than something else 

a. are called chronometric dating methods
b. are called absolute dating methods
c. include the K/Ar method
d. never require stratigraphic information
e. are called relative dating methods

Answer: E

The Miocene hominoid fossils

The Miocene hominoid fossils

a. were distributed over much of the New World
b. were all members of the same species
c. displayed little to no morphological variation
d. were all about the size of a house cat
e. none of these

Answer: E

______ is a radiometric dating method popular with archaeologists that can be used to date materials up to 75,000 years old.

______ is a radiometric dating method popular with archaeologists that can be used to date materials up to 75,000 years old.

a. Carbon-14
b. Paleomagnetism
c. Dendrochronology
d. K/Ar
e. Biostratigraphy

Answer: A

_______ make the best samples for the K/Ar dating method.

_______ make the best samples for the K/Ar dating method.

a. Bones
b. Stone tools
c. Ostrich shells
d. Teeth
e. Volcanic rocks

Answer: E

_______ relies on identifying changes in the orientation of the earth's geomagnetic poles.

_______ relies on identifying changes in the orientation of the earth's geomagnetic poles.

a. Stratigraphy
b. Dendrochronology
c. Fluorine analysis
d. Biostratigraphy
e. Paleomagnetism

Answer: E

Fluorine analysis can only be used on which of the following?

Fluorine analysis can only be used on which of the following?

a. volcanic rock
b. fossilized plants
c. bone
d. sedimentary rock
e. petrified wood

Answer: C

Interestingly, the foot of the Burtele hominid exhibited _____.

Interestingly, the foot of the Burtele hominid exhibited _____.

a. six toes instead of five
b. webbing between the toes
c. a diverging big toe
d. all of the qualities of a modern human foot
e. all of the above

Answer: C

About how old are the earliest stone tools

About how old are the earliest stone tools

a. 2.6 million years old
b. 25,000 years old
c. 250,000 years old
d. 25 million years old
e. none of these

Answer: A