Directions: Answer ALL four of the following questions/prompts in complete sentences and paragraphs. Type your answers directly in the text entry box below. You will be graded on the level of detail you include in your essays and the accuracy of the information you present. This exam is open-book so I expect you to include specific details from the textbook. Do not use direct quotes from the textbook, paraphrase the information you learned from your readings while answering the questions.
Textbook: Introduction to Physical Anthropology. 2013-2014/15th edition, Jurmain, Kilgore, Trevathan, & Ciochon
Question 1
What does it mean to be a primate? What are characteristics and behaviors all primates have in common? What are characteristics and behaviors that differentiate certain species from one another? What makes humans primates? Provide descriptive analysis of what constitutes mammals of the order primate and include specific examples from the text to support your answer.
Question 2
How do paleoanthropologists date artifacts and remains? Describe the differences between relative and chronometric dating techniques and provide detailed discussion of one example of each technique in your answer.
Question 3
What is a hominin and what does it mean to bipedal? Describe the anatomical features necessary for the transition to obligate and habitual bipedalism among our hominin ancestors.
Question 4
As a species, why is Homo erectussignificant to understandings of our evolutionary past? What are distinctive features and characteristics of Homo erectus skeletal structure and what do we know about their time on Earth?
