Question

Arrange the following in chronological order of their year of discovery:
A. Australopithecus boisei
B. Australopithecus africanus
C. Australopithecus robustus
D. Cro-Magnon
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A, B, C, D
• B. D, B, C, A
• C. B, A, D, C
• D. C, A, D, B

Hint:

Remember that the European discoveries of fossils like Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon happened in the 19th century, well before the significant African hominin discoveries of the 20th century (Taung Child in the 20s, robust forms in the 30s-50s).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires knowledge of the historical timeline of major discoveries in paleoanthropology. We need to place the discovery of each fossil/group in the correct sequence from earliest to most recent.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's find the year of discovery for each item:
- D. Cro-Magnon: The first remains of anatomically modern humans, known as Cro-Magnon, were found in the Abri de Cro-Magnon rock shelter in France in 1868.
- B. Australopithecus africanus: The type specimen, the "Taung Child," was discovered by quarry workers in South Africa in 1924 and subsequently identified by Raymond Dart.
- C. Australopithecus robustus: The type specimen, TM 1517, was discovered at Kromdraai, South Africa, by a schoolboy, Gert Terblanche, in 1938 and was identified by Robert Broom.
- A. Australopithecus boisei: The type specimen, OH 5 ("Zinjanthropus"), was discovered by Mary Leakey at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, in 1959.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Arranging these discoveries in chronological order (from earliest to latest):
1. Cro-Magnon (1868) - D
2. Australopithecus africanus (1924) - B
3. Australopithecus robustus (1938) - C
4. Australopithecus boisei (1959) - A
The correct sequence is D, B, C, A.