OCN 105: Exam #2

Why was the sea level approximately 200 ft lower (compared to present day level) when the first humans migrated into SE Asia and then into Australia at least 65k years ago? A. Most of the water was still trapped in continental glaciers. B. It was not lower, but higher compared to present day levels. C. Most of the water was held up in the clouds. D. All of the above.

A

Match the time period with its significance for migration to the Americas. A. An interior corridor opens between two Canadian ice sheets allowing further migration across the continent. Early hunters likely followed big game prey. B. A population with ⅔ East Asian and ⅓ Eurasian DNA became isolated in Beringia during the last glacial maximum. Isolation resulted in genetic differences with Asian peoples that got passed down to modern Native Americans. C. Deglaciation along the Northwest Pacific coast opens a migration route into the Americas along the coast. Fewer than 5,000 individuals take this path south, but they reach the southern tip of South America in just a few hundred years. D. Humans from Eurasia and East Asia first populated western Beringia. Sea level was 120 m lower than today.

A: 14,000-13,000 years ago B: 25,000-15,000 years ago C: 16,000-15,000 years ago D: 32,000 years ago

Match the item with its significance or explanation. A. The time of arrival of Homo sapiens in Europe. B. The 'highway' that allowed Homo sapiens to migrate to Europe. C. Evolutionary cousins to Homo sapiens. D. The time of arrival of Neanderthals in Eurasia. E. The amount of shared DNA between present-day humans of primarily European and Asian descent and the now extinct Neanderthals.

A: 40,000 years ago B: Danube River C: Neanderthals D: 400,000 years ago E: 1-2%

Why is the Levant (a historic area in the Eastern Mediterranean) important? Select all that apply. A. It is where Homo sapiens first encounter archaic humans outside of Africa. B. It is where humans first originated. C. It is the crossroads of Western Asia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Northeast Africa. D. It was intermittently occupied by early humans during the waves of migration out of Africa.

ACD All the answers are correct except the Levant is not the location where early humans first originated. Homo evolved 3 million years ago in East Africa. According to the oldest known fossils of Homo sapiens, our species evolved in East Africa, particularly the Omo River and Lake Turkana area. Humans migrated away from Africa into or through the Levant area.

When the first humans migrated into SE Asia into Australia, why was the world in a warm period? A. A long ice age just finished. B. The world was not in a warm period, but rather still in an ice age. C. The world was receiving more sunlight. D. None of the above.

B

What percent of the current world population lives within 10 miles of a river? A. 55% B. 17% C. 90% D. 42%

C

Why was the distance traveled by the first humans who migrated into SE Asia and into Australia shorter compared to the distance they would travel today? A. More land was exposed during the ice age due to lower sea level. B. Because of the ice age, more water was trapped as ice in glaciers. C. Both A and B. D. None of the above statements are true.

C More land was exposed in order to take a more direct route because sea level was lower due to ice trapped in continental glaciers.

Why do scientists study Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis)? A. Neanderthals are still alive today. B. Neanderthals were basic and unsophisticated. C. Neanderthals are distant cousins and their behaviors and evolutionary history hold clues to our own identity as Homo sapiens. D. Neanderthals never crossed paths with Homo sapiens. E. Homo sapiens evolved from Neanderthals.

C Neanderthals are distant cousins and their behaviors and evolutionary history do hold clues to our own identity as Homo sapiens. However, Homo sapiens did not evolve from Neanderthals, they are not still alive today, and they are not as primitive as we once thought. They had social organization and the ability to use tools, fire, art, and language. They built shelters, made clothing, created advanced tools, and buried their dead. Neanderthals and Homo sapiens crossed paths in Levant and even interbred, so some genes were inherited from Neanderthals.

Which statements are true? A. Neanderthals died out because they were primitive and inferior to Homo sapiens, lacking any social organization or ability to use tools, fire, art, and language. B. All genes that are inherited from Neanderthals are harmful to modern humans. C. Genes that some humans inherited from past interbreeding with Neanderthals can control susceptibility to certain diseases. D. Neanderthals had complex cognitive abilities and behaviors possibly including rituals.

CD Genes that were inherited from interbreeding 60,000 years ago do have an effect on modern humans' susceptibility to certain diseases, however not all genes are harmful. Some may help us fight viruses and even increase fertility. Although Neanderthals died out and Homo sapiens survived, Neanderthals did have complex cognitive abilities and behaviors possibly including rituals as well as social organization and the ability to use tools, fire, art, and language. They built shelters, made clothing, created advanced tools, and buried their dead.

Recent evidence suggest that humans co-existed with large Australian animals (megafauna) such as: A. giant wombats B. giant pigs C. wallabies D. both A and C

D

The discovered artifacts suggest that the first people arrived in Australia at least 65,000 years ago. What were some of the artifacts that were found at the Madjedbebe rock shelter? A. fireplaces B. graves C. painting material D. stone axes E. all of the above

E

Which statement is false? A. Green Sahara periods allowed for a North African corridor and migration out of Africa. B. Green Sahara periods can be identified through cave paintings and fossils of hippos and crocodiles in North Africa regions that are now in dry desert climate (e.g. the Sahara Desert). C. Green Sahara periods were caused by stronger Northern Hemisphere seasons (warmer summers) and stronger African monsoon. D. Migration out of Africa through the northern and southern routes occurred in waves. E. Green Sahara periods can be identified through dust records from marine sediments. F. Homo erectus was much larger than Homo sapiens and was extinct when Homo sapiens emerged.

F The only false statement is the comparison of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Homo erectus and Homo sapiens had similar body size and shape and Homo erectus was not extinct when Homo sapiens first emerged.

Clovis point technology (very sharp, fluted spearheads used to hunt mammoths, giant bison, and other large prey) have only been found in Clovis, New Mexico. True False

False Clovis points are named after the first place they were found, but this technology has been found widely across North America. (See the 13,000 years ago Clovis Culture map.)

Migration through Arabia towards Asia occurred along the Oman coast where there were plentiful resources. True False

False Despite early speculation by archeologists and anthropologists, there is no actual evidence of coastal migration along the Oman coast.

Homo erectus was in the same genus as Homo sapiens, but had different skull morphology. True False

True Homo erectus and Homo sapiens are both in the genus Homo. The main distinguishing feature is the differences in skull morphology between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Homo erectus had a long, thick skull and strong browridge.

Which statement is false? A. The Arabian Peninsula was a vast desert 125,000 years ago. B. Early humans established settlements in southern Arabia 100,000 years ago. C. The design of tools defined the transition between archaic and modern humans. D. The Arabian Peninsula dried out dramatically 75,000 years ago.

A Feedback: The Arabian Peninsula was a not vast desert 125,000 years ago, it was a 'green oasis.' Early humans did establish settlements in southern Arabia and lived there for 50,000 years. Then the Arabian Peninsula dried out around 75,000 years ago and the groups in this area then migrated north to the Levant area in the Middle East where they crafted Emiran tools that defined the transition from archaic to modern humans.

The evidence suggests that humans co-existed with large animals for between 20,000 to 25,000 years after first arriving in Australia, which meant that: A. humans didn't immediately wipe these animals out upon discovering Australia. B. humans immediately wiped these animals out upon discovering Australia.

A Since they co-existed for thousands of years, humans did not immediately wipe out the megafauna.

Match the name and description. A. Crossing the Red Sea near Bab-el-Mandeb to reach the Arabian Peninsula. B. Crossing the Sinai Peninsula to reach the Levant.

A: Southern Route B: Northern Route

What traits may have allowed early human ancestors to first leave Africa? Select all that apply A. Diet with more meat B. Striding gait C. Tools D. Intelligence E. Agriculture

ABCD According to the article, a body shape with a striding gait allowed long distance travel. Developed intelligence and tools allowed humans to survive in unfamiliar environments. A diet with more meat allowed humans more food supply options in seasonally arid environments. The first agricultural revolution began only 10,000 years ago, so these humans leaving Africa were primarily hunting and gathering.

Where could you look for evidence of the first peoples in the Americas? Select all that apply. A. In the continental interior near streams and chert, a type of rock useful for toolmaking, where people may have settled. B. Inland, since people traveling along the coast would likely have explored rivers and inlets along the way. C. Hundreds of feet underwater miles from the current Pacific shoreline because sea levels are 300 to 400 feet higher than at the end of the last glacial maximum. D. Islands, such as the Channel Islands, along the Pacific coast.

ABCD Evidence of the earliest peoples in the Americas have been found at sites in any of these locations. For example, the Friedkin site lies in a small valley near a stream and chert about an hour north of Austin, Texas. Arlington Springs man was found on Santa Rosa Island of the Channel Islands and dated back to 13,000 years ago. Projectiles and coprolites were found in central Oregon in caves near an ancient lake dating to 14,000-15,000 years ago where people likely followed rivers inland.

Why are the remains found in the Tam Pa Ling cave important? Select all that apply. A. They show that humans migrated to Asia on an inland path. B. They are the oldest evidence of humans in Southeast Asia. C. They show that humans used large river systems like the Mekong River to migrate. D. They prove that humans left Africa at least 70,000 years ago.

ABCD The Tam Pa Ling are the oldest evidence of humans in Southeast Asia, showing that humans left Africa at least 70,000 years ago, migrated to Asia on an inland path, and used large river systems like the Mekong River to migrate.

What evidence did archeologists use to determine where, when, and how humans migrated through the Arabian Peninsula? A. Emiran tools along the inland river beds. B. Nubian point tools made from chert along inland river beds. C. The climate at that time meant that inland areas were dry and inhospitable. D. Nubian point tools along the coast and in coastal mountain caves

B Nubian point tools made from chert were found along inland river beds. There were none along the coast or in coastal mountain caves. Emiran tools may have developed from the Nubian technology but they were first seen in the Levant area. Inland areas were actually lush and green, much different from today, so it is possible, and likely, that they traveled along an inland route rather than coastal.

For the last several hundred thousand years, global sea level and temperatures have increased and decreased together. This is driven by the Milankovitch cycle, which determines how much sunshine (heat) reaches the Northern Hemisphere. The heat influences: A. global temperatures B. land ice volume C. sea levels D. all of the above

D All three answers are connected to one another. For example, when the Northern Hemisphere receives consistently less sunshine in the summers, ice forms. Ice reflects more sunshine away from the Earth which cools global temperatures. This leads to more ice forming on land and less water in the ocean so sea levels drop.

What made the trail of the first people in Asia difficult for archeologists to follow? A. No settlements were formed so there was not much left behind along the migration. B. Thick forests make the sites difficult to find. C. They only followed a coastal route so the evidence has washed away. D. Materials likely used by these first peoples for tools, like bamboo, are not well preserved.

D As noted in the video, bamboo tools were easier to carry but they rapidly decayed in the humid environment so that there is no evidence left after a few thousands of years (in contrast to stone tools).

What adaptations allowed humans to migrate from Africa and into Asia? A. Humans adapted to coastal environments to find food. B. Humans built boats so they were able to travel along the coasts. C. Humans used Neaderthals trade routes to migrate into Asia from Africa. D. Humans did what they did in Africa and followed river "highways."

D Humans used very similar tools and techniques, such as following river highways, to what they were already doing in Africa. They did not seem to become coastal peoples traveling by boat along the coasts or relying on coastal food resources. There is no evidence that humans used a Neaderthal trade route for migration from Africa into Asia.

What role did Neanderthals play in human migration through southern Arabia? A. Humans followed Neanderthals through southern Arabia to the Levant area. B. Neanderthals lived in southern Arabia alongside humans. C. Neanderthals interbred with humans in southern Arabia. D. Neanderthals developed similar tools to the Arabian descendants that created Emiran tools in the Middle East.

D Neanderthals did develop similar tools to the Arabian descendants that created Emiran tools in the Middle East and it is possible that humans were influenced by the Neanderthal design. However, Neanderthals did not live alongside nor interbreed with humans in southern Arabia (they did in the northern Levant region). Humans did not follow the Neanderthals through southern Arabia.

Why is it an important discovery that some of our early ancestors migrated out of Africa and through southern Arabia? A. Arabian descendants would later develop Emiran tools. B. It was a secondary path toward the Levant in the Middle East. C. Arabia was a green oasis where humans lived for 50,000 years. D. All of the above.

D Previously, archeologists focused on the expansion of Homo sapiens out of Africa via the Middle East route. The secondary route showed humans expanded out of Africa and into areas previously thought unsettled and lived there for 50,000 years. The descendants of these humans that first settled Southern Arabia also may have developed the advanced tool technology, known as Emiran, that was critical to the transition of our species to "modern" human behavior.

How did climate affect the survival of Homo sapiens versus Neanderthals? A. Homo sapiens were likely more successful in utilizing scarce glacial food resources as compared to Neanderthals, thus outcompeting and slowly absorbing them into their species. B. Homo sapiens were better adapted to a colder climate because they had large nasal chambers that helped warm and humidify the cold and dry air. C. Homo sapiens had higher reproduction rates and resulting faster migration speeds which allowed Homo sapiens to move away from areas that underwent a rapid decline in food resources due to rapid past climate changes and re-populate elsewhere. D. A and C are correct. E. All answers are correct.

D The correct answer is D because both A and C are correct. Answer B is incorrect because Neanderthals were better adapted to a colder climate because they had large nasal chambers that helped warm and humidify the cold and dry air.

The recent scientific dates from the Madjedbebe rock shelter: A. indicated that humans were in Australia 10,000 to 20,000 years earlier than previously thought, which suggests that modern humans left Africa earlier than previously estimated. B. made archeologists rethink when our species started to colonize Asia. C. suggested that humans were moving through Indonesia at the same time as Homo floresiensis, a now extinct human species also referred to as "the hobbits." D. all of the above.

D The evidence from Madjedbebe rock shelter meant that humans left Africa and started to colonize Asia much earlier than we had thought. The timing lines up with when Homo floresiensis was migrating through Indonesia.

The first Americans (Paleo-Americans) had distinctly different facial features and behavioral characteristics than modern Native Americans, so they were probably not the ancestors of modern Native Americans. True False

False Despite having different features and behavior, genetic evidence links Paleo-Americans as descendants of Asians and Native Americans as descendants of Paleo-Americans.

Neanderthals were better adapted to the colder climate in Eurasia because of their tall and slim body shape which helped them conserve heat. True False

False Neanderthals were better adapted to colder climates because they had large nasal chambers that helped warm and humidify the cold and dry air.

100,000 years ago when humans were migrating through Arabia, the monsoons were weaker which meant that Arabia was wetter and greener than today. True False

False The monsoons were actually stronger at that time which meant Arabia was wetter and greener compared to today.

Around 100,000 years ago archaic humans (the variety of Homo species before modern humans) first left Africa. True False

False There is evidence that archaic humans first left Africa 2,000,000 years ago. Homo sapiens first left Africa approximately 100,000 years ago, though migration on a mass scale began only 60,000 years ago

Migration from Africa to Arabia occurred 75,000 years ago when Arabia had lush interconnecting rivers and lakes. True False

False This migration occurred between 130,000 to 100,000 years ago. At 75,000 years ago, the Arabian Peninsula actually began to dry out so humans migrated north and east.

Monsoons lead to more rainfall when there is strong solar radiation on land (strong summers) creating a low pressure system which pulls in ocean winds. True False

True Monsoons do lead to more rainfall when there is strong solar radiation on land (strong summers) creating a low pressure system which pulls in ocean winds. This is why the Arabian Peninsula was lush with a network of rivers that humans could use to survive and migrate.

Since carbon dating is only accurate to 50,000 years ago, scientist Sophie Verheyden measured uranium levels of broken stalagmites to date the presence of Neanderthals in the Bruniquel Cave in France (approximately 175,000 years ago!). True False

True The original date of 47,600 years ago was dated using carbon dating (the decay of radioactive carbon isotopes) from burnt bear bone. Verheyden dated the stalagmites that were broken off by Neanderthals and arranged into formations. The results of 175,000 years meant that the inhabitants of the cave had to be Neanderthals because they were the only species in that area at that time.

The Kelp Route Hypothesis asserts that the highly productive kelp marine systems along the eastern coast of Asia, the southern coast of Alaska, and down to the western/Pacific coast of North and South America provided a variety of foods (kelp, fish, shellfish, etc.) to fuel and support the first human migration to the Americas. True False

True This hypothesis states that the first humans migrated to the Americas following the productive coastal kelp ecosystems. This might have been the first available route because the ice sheets had not yet melted enough for a land corridor.