Question

Which of the following is a correct match regarding cranial capacity and location of the respective fossil?
A) Australopithecus - Africa \[(450 - 600c.c.)\]
B) Java man - Germany (800 c.c.)
C) Neanderthal - Africa \[\left( {500 - 600c.c.} \right)\]
D) Homo sapiens - South-east Asia \[\left( {1400 - 1500c.c.} \right)\]

Answer 1

Hint: Australopithecus Africans was first to show human type appearance with least cranial capacity seen. Other fossils showed bigger cranial capacities.

Complete answer: The evolution of man took place during the Cenozoic era and Pliocene epoch. The modern man is classified into Mammalia class in primates order and Hominidae family. The Cenozoic era is the most recent era of known eras like Mesozoic, Palaeozoic, proterozoic, archaeozoic and azoic with only 0.01 million years ago. Australopithecus Africans are also known as African apeman species which was discovered by Raymond Dart in 1920 in Africa. It had a small cranial cavity of \[450 - 600c.c.\] and was first to show bipedal gait.
a) Java man fossils were first found in the Java Solo River in Indonesia which had a cranial capacity of about \[750 - 900c.c.\]. It was discovered in 1891 and 1892. He was about 5 feet to 8 inches tall and walked erect. The femur was thicker and showed engagement in running.
b) Homo sapiens sapiens fossils were found in Central Asia with a cranial capacity of about \[1500 - 1600c.c.\]. It also showed bipedalism as an adaptation which was also seen in the hominin line. It was suggested as bipedalism was favoured because it freed the hands for reaching and carrying food.
So, the correct option is A.

Note: Neanderthal man fossil was discovered in Neander Valley in Germany that had a cranial capacity of 1400 to 1500 c.c. This was categorized as the first civilized man who made civilizations.