Name____________________________
Class __________________
Date __________
Early Hominids
The timeline shows some fossil hominids that scientists have
discovered. The bar shows the time ranges during which each
species may have existed. Each species has a genus name and
a species name.
Color the bars for all the species in the genus Homo red. Color the bars
for all the species in the genus Australopithecus blue. Color the bars for
all the species in the genus Paranthropus yellow.
Homo sapiens
H. neanderthalensis
H. heidelbergensis
H. antecessor
H. erectus
H. ergaster
H. habilis
Key
Au. = Australopithecus
H. = Homo
P. = Paranthropus
Australopithecus bahrelghazali
Au. anamensis
Au. rudolfensis
Au. garhi
Au. afarensis
Au. africanus
Paranthropus robustus
P. aethiopicus
P. boisei
8
7
6
5
4
3
Millions of Years Ago
2
1
Use the timeline to answer the questions. Circle the correct answer.
1. Which hominid probably existed earlier?
Australopithecus africanus
Homo neanderthalensis
2. Is hominid evolution a simple straight-line transformation from
one species to another? Explain.
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321
0
Name______________________________
Reviewing Key Concepts
conrpletion on thelinesproaided,
comprete
thefottowingsentences.
1' Primateshavethe ability to mergevisualimagesfrom both eyes,which
Paleontologists are excited when ancient
human remains and artifacts are discovered.
They are eager to study these finds to better
understand human evolution. Anthropologists and archaeologists, who study human
cultures, want to examine the remains and
the excavation site for evidence of things
such as the food that people ate, the clothes
that they wore, and the tools that they used.
is well developed.
joints.
4. The
and
of
primates are flexible, enabling them to grasp objectsand run
along
tree limbs.
5. The two major evolutionary groups of primates are
When ancient human remains are discovered, however, native peoples often object to
their scientific study. They believe that these
remains are the skeletons of their ancestors
and should be treated with respect. The
skeletons should remain buried or be handled in accord with traditional native customs. Ancient artifacts, such as pot
fragments and bone carvings, may be sacred
items that should not be disturbed.
and
6. Most paleontologists think that hominid evolution occurred as a
seriesof complex
number of species.
Reviewing Key Skills
I
7. Comparing and Contrasting Compare Old World monkeys and
New World monkeys.
I
I'
I
@
)
o
b"
t
8. Applying Concepts lAtrhywere the evolution of bipedal locomotion
and opposablethumbs important deveropmentsinthe evolution of
hominids?
<
5
II
In the United States, scientists and Native
American groups often disagree with each
other about the fate of items excavated at
ancient sites. Scientists want to study artifacts and human remains to increase the
knowledge of North America’s past. Many
Native Americans view such study as inappropriate according to their religious customs and beliefs.
9. Inferring \arhy do paleontologistsfrequently revise their ideas about
the evolutionary relationships of hominid species?
© Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
)
D
q
o
q
o
/\
v
L0. Inferring DNA analysesare used to study human evolution.
Explain how DNA evidencewould support the hypothesis that
humans evolved from other primates.
F
l
Teaching Resources/ Chapter 32
17
Who Should Control Ancient Bones and Artifacts?
3. All primates have arms that can rotate in broad circles around
their
I
I
Date ______________
Issues and Decisions
is called
2. Primates display complex behaviors becausethe part of their brain
called the
Class __________________
403
Respect for Native American Beliefs. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when anthropologists and other
scientists excavated ancient sites to find
evidence of human life, they often violated
Native American customs and showed no
sensitivity toward Native American religious beliefs. For example, excavators
would sometimes rob graves in the middle
of the night. They would then send the
bones from the graves to museums, where
they were put on display for the public. In
addition, excavators stole objects that were
believed to hold important spiritual significance. Such practices by scientists and
museums implied that Native American
values and beliefs were unimportant and
that it was acceptable to violate them.
These actions and attitudes deeply offended
Native Americans.
To prevent further exploitation of ancient
Native American archaeological sites, in 1990
the United States Congress passed the Native
American Graves Protection and Repatriation
Act, or NAGPRA. This law specifies that
museums contact appropriate Native American groups and return all bones and artifacts
to the groups that want them. In addition, it
states that a site on tribal or governmentowned land can now be excavated only after
consultation with Native Americans. Finally,
under NAGPRA, Native American groups
are usually given the power to decide what
happens to most objects that are discovered.
They often refuse to give the objects to scientists, even temporarily.
The Need for Scientific Study. Today, most
paleontologists, anthropologists, and archaeologists deplore the past exploitation and
insensitive treatment of Native American
skeletons and artifacts. Nevertheless, many
scientists think that the provisions of
NAGPRA are too restrictive because they
often prevent scientific examination of ancient
bones and artifacts. According to scientists,
the examination of ancient bones is essential
to increase understanding of the physical
characteristics of people who lived a long time
ago. By studying ancient artifacts, scientists
can learn a lot about ancient Native American
cultures and thus increase the public’s awareness of the richness of those cultures.
Scientists point out that the study of human
remains and artifacts has sometimes discredited negative ideas about Native American
cultures. For example, in the nineteenth century, many people thought that Native
American cultures were unable to construct
complex structures. Scientific analysis established that ancient Native Americans constructed massive earthworks in parts of the
United States.
Scientists think that many Native American
claims to ancient objects are unfounded.
Issues and Decision Making 39
Name______________________________
Class __________________
There is often little or no evidence that links a
skeleton or artifact with a specific modern
Native American group. In many cases, the
ancestors of different groups lived in a given
area during different periods of history. Also,
there is no reliable way to relate skeletons
that are many thousands of years old to any
known Native American group.
Dialogue and Compromise. Today, many scientists and Native Americans are working
together to make decisions about archaeologiREVIEW
Date ______________
cal discoveries. If scientists consult Native
Americans and take their concerns seriously,
Native Americans are more likely to agree to
the scientific study of ancient skeletons and
other objects. Many Native Americans themselves want to learn more about their ancient
roots. When scientists and Native Americans
cooperate, the Native Americans often share
information about their culture that helps the
scientists interpret the evidence they are
studying. Therefore, scientists and Native
Americans can learn from one another.
On the lines provided, answer the following questions.
1. What do paleontologists and anthropologists hope to learn by
studying ancient remains and artifacts?
2. What are two reasons that Native Americans often object to the
study of paleontological and archaeological discoveries?
CONSIDER THIS
On the lines provided, answer the following questions.
4. If Native Americans allow scientists to study ancient remains and
artifacts, what restrictions and conditions, if any, should be put on
the work of the scientists? Explain your answer.
40
Issues and Decision Making
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3. Suppose ancient human remains have been discovered on land
owned by a Native American group. A paleontologist wants to
study those remains. Write a dialogue that might take place
between the scientist and a representative of the Native American
group. Each speaker should explain his or her goals and concerns.