Biological anthropologists have discovered a previously unknown fossil species namedAustralopithecus sediba. The species lived a
bout 2 million years ago in Africa and has an interesting mix of traits. For example, its arms are adapted for climbing in trees and its legs are adapted for walking on two legs on the ground. It does not directly resemble any of the living ape species, which suggests that the living ape species (including humans) have each become adapted for their own environmental contexts over time. What is the primary type of biological anthropology addressed in this research?
A. Human biology
B. Forensic anthropology
C. Paleoanthropology
D. Primatology
Does the research also touch on topics that might be relevant to researchers in disciplines outside anthropology, such as biology, geology, psychology, medicine, sociology, or criminology? Which of the following disciplines would be most relevant?
A. Psychology
B. Biology
C. Criminology
D. Sociology
How does this research relate to human evolution? In other words, what can we learn about human evolution from research along these lines?
SCENARIO B
Biological anthropologists have observed several chimpanzees in western Africa making tools to help them hunt. The chimpanzees were seen modifying branches and sticks into spears. They removed any leaves or small branches to make a smooth shaft. They also chewed on the end of the branches to give them sharp points. They then thrust the sharpened branches like spears into tree trunks, where small primates called galagos make sleeping nests. Although it remains unclear how successful the chimpanzees are in actually killing galagos, multiple members of the chimpanzee group have been observed producing the spears.
What is the primary type of biological anthropology addressed in this research?
A. Paleoanthropology
B. Human biology
C. Forensic anthropology
D. Primatology
Does the research also touch on topics that might be relevant to researchers in disciplines outside anthropology, such as biology, geology, psychology, medicine, sociology, or criminology? Which of the following disciplines would be most relevant?
A. Criminology
B. Geology
C. Medicine
D. Psychology
How does this research relate to human evolution? In other words, what can we learn about human evolution from research along these lines?
Palaeoanthropology is the study of hominization to see how humans developed to be anatomically similar to modern humans from their more apelike ancestors so this study would fall here.
Biology is the relevant discipline as it relates to the study of living things and their characteristics.
<em>This research relates to human evolution because it can shed more light on how humans went from being apelike and climbing trees to being able to walk upright. </em>
Scenario B
Primatology is the study of primates like chimpanzees so this research would fall under this anthropology subject.
The relevant discipline would be psychology as it might shed light on how the chimps knew to make tools to be able to hunt galagos.
<em>By researching this subject, we can find out how early humans began to make tools for hunting as well as their motivation to do so. </em>
