Hypothetical: A researcher claims to have found a hominin in a South African cave site that dates to the late Pliocene. They present an argument that this specimen showed evidence of a strict herbivorous diet that mostly comprised roots and grasses. They also suggest that, despite being bipedal, this animal was well-adapted to climbing trees. For the following response I would like you to:
-Explain how the researchers may have obtained the late Pliocene date
-What methods could be employed in this environment
-how do they work
-Explain the craniofacial/dental morphologies that justify their dietary claim
-What are the traits and what are the functions of them
-Explain what evidence might support the assertion that these animals were still adapted to climbing trees
-What are the traits and what are the functions of them
-If you were to attribute this to a species (or even a grade), what would it be?
-Briefly contrast this specimen with other hominin strategies at the time
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Question #2
The emergence and success of our genus can be attributed to a variety of factors that likely began during the time of Late Australopithecus. This is most strongly associated with a shift in diet that not only influenced greater brain development but also a burgeoning tool culture. Furthermore, once this shift occurred, our ancestors became increasingly more mobile and rapidly refined stone tool technologies. This trend marks the story of our genus and leads to the continued success of our species, Homo sapiens.
First:
Explain the climatic conditions that may have influenced this dietary shift
Second:
Utilizing the hominin fossil record and your knowledge of the adaptive significance of each new morphology and technology, discuss:
-the presumed impacts of this diet on brain structure and function
-the original tool culture (structure and function) that emerged in response to this
Third:
Discuss the next wave of technological achievement. How did the development of Acheulean tools reflect a new way of hominin thinking?
Finally:
The pinnacle of hominin cognitive development is reflected only in Homo sapiens. What did this new material culture look like? Why do you think that this emerged only in African Homo sapiens and not in Neanderthals? Remember that the two populations had comparable cranial capacities.
Extra Credit (250-500 wds)
Like any science, the world of paleoanthropology has been marked by a series of great discoveries and distinct misconceptions. Discuss two early theories concerning human evolution that were ultimately proven wrong via emerging fossil discoveries. Be sure to explain what the original theories were, the fossils that proved them incorrect, and how the theories changed thereafter.
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