Part 1:
What was the nickname given to infant Australopithecus afarensis and what does this name mean in the local Ethiopian language? Explain why this fossil specimen is significant in terms of cranial capacity and its movement/locomotion in comparison to apes and humans.
2. The video described four theories that have been used to explain the evolution of bipedalism. What are they and which one did the researcher think made the most sense and why? Do you agree with the researcher? Why or why not?
3. What is a molecular clock and how does it work? When does this evidence predict the last common ancestor between humans and chimps existed? How does this compare to the fossil evidence? What is the evidence?
4. According to the video, when did hominids begin making stone tools? What species is associated with these stone tools? Explain the significance of this evidence and how this relates to the cranial capacity for this and later hominids.
5. In the video, a researcher claimed that “Human evolution is nature’s experiment with versatility.” Why did he say this and what did he mean by it? Do you agree? Why or why not?
Part2:What was discovered, where and by who? Discuss what you think is the significance of this recent fossil find and how does this change what was previously know to science? What key piece of evidence was used to determine this was indeed a primate and not a mammal? What makes Ida the most complete primate fossil in primate evolution?
Part 3:
What is the significance of these two fossil finds and what is their contribution to understanding hominid evolution? What characteristics define a hominid? Discuss which aspects of your definition of a hominid can be assessed in the fossil record?
