Mini-Practical – Hominid Skull Comparison

Directions: Using the article and interactive below, answer the following questions about human evolution.  Each set of questions corresponds to either the article or the interactive.

Article: Early beginnings of modern humans

Article Questions

  1. List the dates that each of the six species listed existed, and identify any overlapping species (species that coexisted).
  2. Describe the features of Australopithecus afarensis, including the anatomical features and cultural features (i.e.: tool making).
  3. Describe the features of Homo erectus, including the anatomical features and cultural features (i.e.: tool making).
  4. Describe the features of Homo heidelbergensis, including the anatomical features and cultural features (i.e.: tool making).
  5. Describe the features of Homo neanderthalensis, including the anatomical features and cultural features (i.e.: tool making).
  6. Describe the features of Homo floresiensis.
  7. Describe the controversy surrounding Homo floresiensis (in other words, what do some scientists believe about this species of human?).

Interactive: 3D hominid skulls interactive

Interactive Questions

  1. Compare the skull structure of the modern homo sapien and chimpanzee.  Make sure that you address the major anatomical features, including position of the foramen magnum, cranial capacity, canine teeth, brow ridge, face below the brow and jaw.
  2. Create a table comparing the skull structures of A. afarensis, Homo erectus, Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.  Include major anatomical features including cranial capacity, canine teeth, brow ridge, face below the brow and jaw.
  3. Describe the changes in hominid skulls from A. afarensis through to modern humans.

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