Question

A few stages and their respective time period in the evolutionary history of human beings are mentioned in the flowchart given below:

• 15 mya — Primates walking like gorillas and chimpanzees existed.
• 3–4 mya — Man-like primates walked in Eastern Africa. Fossils of their bones were discovered.
• 2 mya — This ancestor lived in the East African grasslands and ate fruits.
• 1.5 mya — This hominid had a brain size of 900 cc and probably ate meat.

Based on the above information, answer the following questions:

• [(a)] Name one primate about 15 mya.
• [(b)] Name one place where fossils of primates were discovered in Eastern Africa.
• [(c)] Name the ancestor that lived in the East African grasslands about 2 mya.
• [(d)] Name the hominid that was found around 1.5 mya.

Hint:

Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus are ancient primates from 15 mya. Homo erectus had a 900 cc brain and used tools.

Answer 1

1. [(a)] Dryopithecus or Ramapithecus.
2. [(b)] Ethiopia or Tanzania.
3. [(c)] Australopithecus.
4. [(d)] Homo erectus.