Question

Consider that fossils of Homo erectus dating between 1.66 and 1.85 mya have been found scattered across Eastern Europe through China and Southeast Asia and dating back to 2.4 mya in Africa. The earliest known specimens of anatomically modern Homo sapiens in Africa date back to roughly 200,000 years ago and 40,000 to 60,000 years ago across Europe and Asia, with some at 115,000 years ago in India. Additionally, Homo neanderthalensis was present across Europe by 150,000 years ago and then spread into western Asia. If there were no evidence indicating the presence of any other early Homo species in Europe, which of the following hypotheses might be supported by this information? a. Homo neanderthalensis is a possible common ancestor to Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. b. Homo erectus is a possible common ancestor to Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens. c. Homo sapiens is a possible common ancestor to Homo erectus and Homo neanderthalensis. d. Homo floresiensis is the most likely common ancestor to Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, and Homo sapiens.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is option b that is Homo erectus is the common ancestor of Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens.

Explanation:

Homo erectus appears about 2 mya, possibly during the Pleistocene  epoch and are considered as direct ancestor of human.They are called as upright man as they use legs for walking without any support.They are thought to be capable of doing certain things like hunting, starting fire,art making, create speech etc.

Homo neanderthal was the most recent ancestor species of modern human as they appear about 40,000 years ago.

They became extinct as they did't fight against environmental hazards and the major cause of their extinction that scientists have claimed that they did't adapt the modern techniques that the modern human does.