Critical Thinking Questions b. Which parts of the thecus primitive? Why do many

Question

Critical Thinking Questions b. Which parts of the thecus primitive? Why do many paleoanthropologists classify these forms as hominins? How sure are we? Assume that you are in the labo- ratory analyzing the Lucy A. afa rensis skeleton. You also have complete skeletons from a chim panzee and a modern human. a. Which parts of the Lucy skel 1. Assume you have been asked to compare the paleoanthropologi cal evidence (including hom inin fossils) from two sites in East Africa. What sorts of dating techniques might you use, and why would you choose one over another? Be sure to discuss and compare at least one relative dat- ing and one chronometric dating technique Lucy skeleton are most informative? Write down a list of the areas of expertise needed to conduct a paleoanthropological investiga tion from start to finish. Then list what each specialty contrib utes to the overall project. Why are multidisciplinary efforts so important for ensuring successi? 4. 3. eton are more similar to the chimpanzee? Which are more similar to the human? 2. In what ways are the remains of Sahelanthropus and Ardipi

Explanation / Answer

1.

Dating techniques are the ways by which the scientists will determine the age of the object or a sequence of events. There are two types of dating methods. They are relative and absolute.

Relative dating technique is a method in which the geological events are put in time order. No numerical dates are provided for the rocks in this technique. This technique says whether the sample is younger or older than each other.

Absolute dating method will provide a date in the form of years.

Stratigraphy and style analysis are the dating techniques that come under relative dating. Here, the layers of the area are being excavated and recorded to superimpose and analyze.

Radiocarbon dating and uranium-lead dating are the examples of dating techniques.

2.

The bio-chronological and radiometric dating has found that the derived features of the later hominins by Sahelanthropus declare its status to be the member of the hominin clade.

Small blunt canines, lack of functional C/P3 honing complex, deceased canine size dimorphism, anteriorly positioned foramen magnum, dorsal canting of the pedal phalanx, inferred lumbar lordosis, anterior inferior iliac spine is the features of hominin that match with that of Ardipithecus.

Ardipithecus also shows several primitive characters like fully opposable big toe, ape-like lower pelvis, equal fore- and hindlimb lengths, the absence of longitudinal arch in the foot. It has bot derived features as well as primitive. It can climb trees by palmigrade quadrupedalism.

3.

a)

Lucy is Australopithecine and is dated 3.2 million years before. The skeleton has a small skull similar to that of non-hominin apes. Bipedal and upright walking gait resembling that of humans is seen in Lucy skeleton. Another study done in 2016 stated that Australopithecus afarensis was tree-dwelling. Lucy was 1.1m tall and weighed 29 kgs and hence looked like a chimpanzee. It has a small brain with the similar functioning of pelvic and leg bones as that of modern humans.

b)

Valgus knee left innominate bone and sacrum. The cranial capacity was 375 to 500cc. Lucy had rib cage and plant-based diet. Lucy had unusual broad inner acetabular distance and long superior pubic rami. Acetabulum was primitive.

4.

Employing a 3-dimensional coordinate system. MAP coordinate system, as well as the grid system, are employed. About 40 permanent control points are used in this area to set up bolts and numbered to be available for further researchers. Recordings are done in forms by typing into form-based databases. The stratigraphic units are graphed and the shape and topography are shot in the computer.

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