ANTH116 Midterm 2 Review

What are some possible functions of the large molars and premolars in Paranthropus, particularly P. boisei?

They were adapted for processing tough and hard foods, such as nuts, seeds, and roots, and were most useful for fallback foods.

What are stable carbon isotopes, and how do they help in reconstructing diet?

Carbon isotopes (C³ and C⁴) differ in plants based on photosynthetic pathways, helping to identify dietary sources in animals.

How did hominin diets shift over time based on isotopic evidence?

Before ~3 million years ago, diets were similar to chimpanzees (purely C³), then shifted to increased consumption of C⁴ foods due to grassland expansion.

What anatomical changes in Homo suggest increased meat consumption?

Smaller gut size, larger brain size, and reduced tooth size indicate a shift to nutrient-dense foods.

How did brain size increase relate to diet changes?

Larger brains require more energy, making high-calorie foods (meat, marrow, cooked foods) crucial for brain expansion.

What factors contributed to increased energy availability for brain growth?

Tool use for food processing and cooking, which made food more digestible and nutrient-dense.

What evidence helps distinguish between hunting and scavenging?

Cut marks on bones, the type of skeletal parts processed, and tooth vs. tool marks can indicate hunting versus scavenging.

Why is Kanjera important in the hunting vs. scavenging debate?

It provides early evidence that hominins acquired complete carcasses, supporting active hunting over scavenging.

What is the pelvic tilt mechanism, and why is it important for bipedalism?

It helps maintain balance during walking by using gluteal muscles to prevent the unsupported side of the body from dropping.

Why is the inward slant of the femur important for bipedalism?

It ensures a horizontal knee joint, aligning body weight over the feet for stability.

Did all hominins walk bipedally in the same way?

No, different species like Australopithecus sediba and Homo erectus had distinct walking patterns.

What evidence suggests Australopithecus afarensis had climbing abilities?

Curved fingers and toes, shoulder and limb structures adapted for climbing indicate a mix of arboreal and bipedal traits.

What cranial and dental features distinguish Neanderthals from Homo sapiens?

Features include a large supraorbital torus, occipital bun, and retromolar space.

What factors likely contributed to Neanderthal extinction?

High energy demands, competition with Homo sapiens, small populations, and rapid environmental changes contributed to their extinction.

What is the Lomekwian tool industry?

The earliest known stone tools (~3.3 Ma), which were used before Homo.

What is the Oldowan tool industry?

Early stone tools (~2.6 Ma) associated with Homo habilis for cutting and pounding.

What is the Acheulean tool industry?

Characterized by handaxes, appearing ~1.7 Ma and associated with Homo erectus.

What is the Mousterian tool industry?

Middle Paleolithic tool industry linked to Neanderthals featuring prepared-core techniques.

What is the Levallois technique?

A core preparation method allowing controlled removal of flakes used by Neanderthals.

What are blade, bladelet, and microblade tools?

Advanced tools associated with modern humans allowing finer cutting and crafting.

What is a burin?

A specialized tool used for engraving and carving.

Which stone tool industry is associated with Homo erectus?

Acheulean (handaxes).

Which stone tool industry is associated with Neanderthals?

Mousterian.

How do Neanderthal and Homo sapiens toolkits differ?

Homo sapiens used a broader range of tools, including blades and projectile weapons, emerging ~300,000 years ago.

Why is Dmanisi important?

It provides early evidence of Homo erectus dispersing out of Africa (~1.8 Ma).

Why is Atapuerca (Gran Dolina) important?

It contains fossils of Homo antecessor, an early hominin possibly ancestral to Neanderthals.

What is Sima de los Huesos, and why is it significant?

A site with fossils of potential Neanderthal ancestors, showing early Neanderthal traits.

What is Homo floresiensis, and why is it significant?

A small-bodied hominin from Flores Island, possibly a case of insular dwarfism.

Why is Schöningen important?

It preserved wooden spears, showing evidence of planned hunting strategies in Homo heidelbergensis.