Evidence for evolution and fossils

• What does fossil evidence suggest about human evolution?

  Humans evolved from a common ancestor.
• What does evidence from fossils indicate about humans and chimpanzees?

  They evolved from a common ancestor.
• What are human beings and their ancestors known as?

  Hominids
• How old is the fossil 'Ardi'?

  4.4 million years old
• What species does 'Ardi' belong to?

  Ardipithecus ramidus
• Where was 'Ardi' found?

  In Ethiopia
• What features of 'Ardi' suggest she climbed trees?

  Ape-like big toe for grasping branches
• How does 'Ardi's' brain size compare to a chimpanzee's?

  It is about the same size.
• What does the structure of 'Ardi's' legs suggest?

  She walked upright.
• How old is the fossil 'Lucy'?

  3.2 million years old
• What species does 'Lucy' belong to?

  Australopithecus afarensis
• How does 'Lucy's' foot structure differ from 'Ardi's'?

  Lucy had arched feet, not an ape-like toe.
• How does 'Lucy's' brain size compare to 'Ardi's'?

  Lucy's brain is slightly larger than Ardi's.
• What does the structure of Lucy's leg bones suggest?

  She walked upright more efficiently than Ardi.
• Who organized the expedition to find hominid fossils in Kenya?

  Richard Leakey
• What was one significant find by Leakey's team?

  Turkana Boy, a Homo erectus fossil.
• How old is Turkana Boy?

  1.6 million years old
• How does Turkana Boy's body structure compare to Lucy's?

  He has more human-like features than Lucy.
• What does the structure of Turkana Boy's legs suggest?

  He was better adapted to walking upright than Lucy.
• How can hominid species be organized on a timeline?

  • Ardipithecus species
  • Australopithecus species
  • Homo species
• What evidence besides fossils supports human evolution?

  Tools used by early humans.
• What does the development of stone tools indicate about Homo species?

  They evolved and their brains grew larger.
• What is the time range for Homo habilis?

  2.5-1.5 million years ago
• What is the time range for Homo erectus?

  2.0-0.3 million years ago
• What is the time range for Homo neanderthalensis?

  400,000-15,000 years ago
• What is the time range for Homo sapiens?

  200,000 years ago - present
• What are the types of tools made by different Homo species?

  • Homo habilis: Simple stone tools
  • Homo erectus: More complex tools
  • Homo neanderthalensis: Flint tools and spears
  • Homo sapiens: Varied tools including arrowheads
• What is one method to determine the age of stone tools?

  Look at structural features of the tool.
• What is stratigraphy?

  The study of rock layers.
• How does stratigraphy help date fossils?

  Older layers are below younger layers.
• What dating method uses carbon-containing material?

  Carbon-14 dating
• What is a pentadactyl limb?

  A limb with five digits.
• In which species can a pentadactyl limb be found?

  Mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.
• What does the similarity in pentadactyl limb structure suggest?

  Species evolved from a common ancestor.
• Why is it unlikely that species with pentadactyl limbs evolved from different ancestors?

  They share a similar bone structure.
• What is one feature humans share with other mammals?

  Similarities in ears, eyes, and noses.
• What can scientists determine from the shape of stone tools?

  Age of the fossils present at the site.
• What is one method to find the age of stone tools?

  Using carbon-14 dating.
• What does the discovery of pointed stone tools suggest?

  Fossils present were likely from Homo species.
• What is one method to determine the age of fossils?

  Using stratigraphy.