(Q008) Which of the following is true regarding the recent Homo naledi fossil discovery?

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Starting with the premise of evaluating the statements about the Homo naledi fossil discovery, we examine each option in turn to see how well it matches current paleoanthropological understanding.
Option 1: 'It has been securely dated to 1.3 mya.' This claim is inconsistent with the actual dating in which Homo naledi remains were placed within a more recent timeframe, not securely at 1.3 million years ago. The published age estimates cluster around hundreds of thousands of years, not 1.3 million, so this statement is inaccurate.
Option 2: 'It is likely an earlier form of Homo owing to its small brain size and other features.' This statement aligns with the idea that Homo naledi exhibits a mosaic of features, including a relatively small brain compared to later Homo species, which supports the view that it represents an early or transitional form within the genus Homo. The combination of primitive and derived traits is a key rationale for classifying it as an early Homo, making this option the most plausible and supported by the fossil profile.
Option 3: 'It is probably a descendant of Homo erectus, based on its large brain size.' This is inconsistent on two counts: Homo erectus is typically characterized by a larger brain than earlier hominins, and Homo naledi does not exhibit a brain size that would justify describing it as a direct descendant of Homo erectus based on brain size alone. The brain size of Homo naledi is comparatively small, which weakens the claim of descent from Homo erectus in terms of brain size-based reasoning.
Option 4: 'All of its cranial and postcranial traits are more similar to other species in Homo than to any australopithecine.' While Homo naledi shares many Homo-like traits, some features also retain australopithecine-like primitive characteristics. Saying that all traits are more similar to Homo than australopithecines overstates the case; there are notable mosaic features that reflect a blend rather than a clean alignment with later Homo species. This makes the blanket assertion overly simplistic and misleading.
In summary, Option 2 best captures the consensus view that Homo naledi represents an early Homo form distinguished by a small brain and a mix of primitive and derived features, whereas the other statements conflict with dating, brain size expectations, or the nuanced trait mosaic observed in the fossils.

ANTH-101-03 CH 11 REVIEW QUIZ

(Q008) Which of the following is true regarding the recent Homo naledi fossil discovery?

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