Question

Suppose that a new fossil hominid is discovered. What criterion can be used to determine where in the human evolutionary lineage this new fossil belongs?
A. Brain size
B. Tooth structure
C. Foot structure
D. All of these

Answer 1

Hint: A fossil was derived from the Latin word fossilis, which indicates "obtained by digging" which is preserved remains, impressions, or traces of a previous-living thing from an earlier geological age. Hominid is defined as a group that includes all living as well as eradicated Great Apes which are, modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utans plus all their immediate forefathers.

Complete step by step solution:
Evaluating the skulls of living apes and extinct relatives allows us to investigate features that indicate the evolutionary history of our family tree. Around 27 million years ago, the forefathers of current modern apes first showed up in the fossil record. We can investigate features that indicate their evolutionary relationships by analyzing their skulls.

Clear evidence in the form of fossils is one of the most common methods of monitoring the advancement of the human brain. The evolutionary past of the human brain reveals a progressively larger brain relative to body size as early primates evolved into hominids and then into Homo sapiens. Seeing as fossilized brain tissue is uncommon, observing anatomical features of the skull that provide a glimpse into brain characteristics is a more reliable approach.

Australopithecines were hominins with comparatively small brains, big cheek teeth, an ape-like skeleton, and little indications of culture. In that way, we can say that foot structure, as well as tooth structure, can be considered a criterion to determine the human evolutionary lineage.

The correct option is D.

Note:
Homo species are hominins with relatively and utterly large brains, a contemporary skeleton, smaller tooth and jaw size, and engagement in cultural activities.