Archives: Quiz

The languages of South Asia fall roughly into two families, Indo-European languages and __________ languages. a) Semitic b) Dravidian c) Celtic d) Polynesian e) Asiatic The Norse settlement of L”Anse aux Meadows was long-lasting and established a permanent Norse presence […]

Within an interaction sphere there is a tendency for the symbolic systems to converge. Where the form of a religion has much in common from center to center, as reflected in iconography, this would be an example of a) transmission […]

For archaeologists trying to understand social ranking, the individual burial of a child with rich burial goods and a well-built funerary monument would suggest that a) there may have been an egalitarian system b) there may have been a sacrificial […]

Investigations led by Mandy Mottram at the site of Tell Halula revealed the site was originally composed of two tells; the techniques used included a) extensive geochemical analysis b) GIS and surface survey c) LANDSAT and SPOT data d) scraping […]

Which of the following is considered an archaeological indicator of ritual: a) a focus of attention (such as on a specific building) b) detection of a boundary zone between this world and the next c) symbols that indicate the presence […]

The greater part of the money devoted to archaeological research in the countries of Greece, Egypt, Mexico and Peru comes from a) private donors b) UNESCO c) American or European universities d) the archaeologists themselves e) tourism This country clashed […]

____________, characteristic of the Mesolithic period, are tiny stone tools that were probably used as barbs on composite implements a) Eoliths b) Microliths c) Cores d) Phytoliths e) Otoliths A standardized system of weights and measures usually indicates the presence […]

The technique of mixing two or more metals to create a new material, such as copper and tin to make bronze, is known as a) ascribing b) annealing c) bifurcating d) conjoining e) alloying Classification of artifacts is usually based […]

It is clear that a rigid and complex class system had evolved by the Early Formative period in the Valley of Oaxaca. The deductive-nomothetic form of explanation proceeds by formulating a hypothesis, establishing by deduction what would follow if the […]

According to Andrew Sherratt there was a second, later stage of domestication that he calls the Secondary Products Revolution. Sherratt argues that the Secondary Products Revolution was defined by the intensified use of animals for a) milk and cheese b) […]

The computer simulation model designed by R. G. Reynolds for the adoption of an agricultural way of life in the Valley of Oaxaca suggested that the rise of agriculture resulted from a) climate change b) population growth c) the need […]

The principle of uniformitarianism states that the stratification of rocks is due to processes which have stopped entirely and are no longer occurring in modern seas, rivers, and lakes. The excavation area at Khok Phanom Di was chosen by the […]

Archaeomagnetic (or, “paleomagnetic”) dating is based on the constantly changing (in both direction and intensity) magnetic field of the earth. Overall, underwater excavation is more expensive than surface excavation because of both the equipment required and the amount of conservation […]

Hearths are very easy to find and recognize in early prehistoric campsites. Maya “emblem glyphs” can be linked to specific sites, which helps archaeologists to understand the political organization of the region. Answer: True The idea that the origins of […]

While ancient insects can tell us about climate and vegetation, they cannot tell us about living conditions at archaeological sites. Although taking different amounts of time according to region, environmental conditions, and technological innovations, all societies eventually progress from bands […]

Geophysical methods can be very effective for land-based site identification, but are rarely effective in underwater reconnaissance. Protected from outside climatic effects, caves may act as natural “conservatories,” creating local climates that can promote the preservation of organic remains. Answer: […]

Fluted point technology: A.is present at the Pre-Clovis site of Monte Verde B.has clear precursors in northern Asia C.has no clear Asian predecessors D.is primarily associated with the Archaic period E.only A and C Which of the following is evidence […]

The evolutionary grouping of individuals showing a similar adaptive pattern is known as a: A.sub-family B.adaptive radiation C.grade D.genus E.sub-species Which anthropological subfield is defined as the study of human biology within the framework of evolution with an emphasis on […]

The primary focus of antiquarians in North America concerned: A.the desire to classify human biological variation B.an interest in the physical evolution of hominins C.the relationship between Native Americans and the archaeological record D.all of the above E.only A and […]

Which of the following factors is NOT used to support the Pacific Coastal Route model? A.the colonization of Australia by 40,000 y.a. B.the presence of early coastal sites in South America C.the demonstrated presence of marine-adapted human populations in northeastern […]

Mendel’s research into pea plant hybrids revealed what pattern in the expression of traits? A.The F1 plants had a lower percentage of the dominant trait than the F2 plants. B.The F2 plants contained a 3:1 mix of the traits. C.The […]

A hypothesis may become a theory if: A.it is quantifiable B.a majority of the scientific community attests to its accuracy C.it is tested numerous times and not rejected D.all of these E.none of these Homo erectus subsistence practices are best […]

Which of the great apes is found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra? A.orangutans B.gorillas C.chimpanzees D.bonobos E.gibbons What features are shared by all hominins included in the genus Australopithecus? A.relatively small brains B.habitual bipedalism C.large back teeth […]

Which absolute dating technique is most commonly used on archaeological sites younger than 50,000 years? A.radiocarbon B.thermoluminescence C.argon-argon D.calendars E.fission track The primary plant crops in China were: A.rice and wheat B.millet and rice C.rice and yams D.wheat and yams […]

The earliest members of the Australopithecine genus date to: A.7 million y.a. B.5 million y.a. C.4.2 million y.a. D.3.7 million y.a. E.2.5 million y.a. The key artifacts in the Oldowan tool tradition are: A.chopper tools B.manuports C.flake tools D.handaxes E.hammerstones […]

Loci with more than one allele are known as: A.multiple loci traits B.polytypic traits C.polymorphisms D.point mutations E.clines Phylogenetic trees are typically differentiated from cladograms based on what feature? A.incorporation of a time scale B.use of derived traits C.the exclusion […]

The best evidence for classic H. erectus in Europe prior to 400,000 years ago comes from the site of: A.Dmanisi B.Gran Dolina C.Boxgrove D.Ceprano E.Trinil The interdisciplinary study of early hominins is known as: A.anthropometry B.paleopathology C.paleontology D.paleoanthropology E.archaeology Answer: […]

Physical anthropologists are interested in tool use in nonhuman primates because it: A.probably resembles tool use in early hominids B.is a recently developed behavior C.demonstrates that chimpanzees are on their way to becoming more human D.all of these E.none of […]

The existence of biological continuity is primarily the product of which of the following factors? A.speciation B.common ancestry C.natural selection D.fixity of species E.none of these What is the taxonomic significance of Homo ergaster? A.It represents the first member of […]

The proposition that increased aridity in the Near East at the end of the Ice Age led to the development of domestication around permanent water sources is known as the: A.Packing model B.Oasis theory C.Neolithic revolution D.Nuclear zone model E.Marginal […]

The ancient environments of the late Miocene/early Pliocene hominins indicates that the origins of bipedalism: A.occurred in a marshy area B.likely occurred on the savanna C.occurred in relatively heavily forested areas D.occurred in a variety of different environments E.was always […]

Intelligent design represents a new critique of the theory of evolution through natural selection. Neandertal mtDNA exhibits the same degree of variability as does modern human populations. Answer: FALSE Anatomical evidence indicates that Neandertals had the physical ability to produce […]

Naturally occurring cereal grains in the Near East are inherently predisposed to genetic modification. Homoplasies are central in the use of cladistics for reconstructing the evolutionary relationships between organisms. Answer: TRUE It is only possible to identify habitual bipedalism from […]

The Ubaid period represents the initial settlement of the Tigris and Euphrates floodplain. Forensic anthropologists must deal with the race concept because they are asked by law enforcement agencies to identify an individual’s race from skeletal remains. Answer: TRUE Mitosis […]

Absolute or chronometric dating always relies on the principle of radioactive decay. The Bushmeat trade is a global phenomenon. Answer: TRUE The majority of human traits are Mendelian. Answer: FALSE Vertebrates first appeared during the Mesozoic period. Answer: Answer: FALSE […]

The earliest TRUE city was: A.Jericho B.Uruk C.atalhyk D.Jarmo E.Mohenjo-Daro Unlike chimpanzees, bonobos do not have closely bonded male groups. Answer: TRUE Oldowan tools are very generalized in function. Answer: TRUE Answer: B. There is clear evidence that Homo erectus […]

Thick dental enamel in _______ helps with crushing food. a. apes b. australopithecines c. humans d. eosimians What makes it possible for humans to accumulate an amazing amount of information over long periods of time? a. social learning b. television […]

Arboreal adaptation is: a. adaptation to life in the trees. b. the ability to brachiate. c. adaptation to life in the savanna. d. the ability to move on four limbs. Primate societies are complexly organized. This means: a. several species […]

Brachiation refers to: a. using the forelimbs to move from tree limb to tree limb. b. quadrupedal locomotion including the use of a tail. c. clinging and leaping locomotion in an arboreal environment. d. bipedality in nonhumans. Children living at […]

Gene flow differs from genetic drift because it is the: a. random change in the frequency of alleles. b. random change in a gene or chromosome. c. guiding force of evolution. d. spread of new genetic material from one gene […]

Old World monkeys have: a. Y-5 molars. b. two sets of molars. c. bilophodont molars. d. one-inch molars. Some cases of anemia, which cause red blood cell production to increase in response to iron deficiency or blood loss, may lead […]

In class your professor shows you an MRI scan of a primate brain. The professor points out the relatively large size of the olfactory bulb beneath the frontal lobe. This suggests to you that this: a. primate exhibits a derived […]

What are three key attributes related to human uniqueness? a. eating, sleeping, and watching television b. increased hunting, speech, and dependence on domesticated food c. hunting, avoiding predators, and tool making d. sleeping, hunting, and making clothing Strepsirhines have a […]

The suborder prosimians includes: a. only nocturnal species. b. only diurnal species. c. diurnal and nocturnal galagos. d. diurnal and nocturnal lemurs. The American economist David Seckler incorrectly hypothesized that: a. growth accelerates and decelerates according to various life stages. […]

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops was important mainly because: a. it had a small brain like an ape’s. b. it was discovered in Kenya. c. it showed diversity in the hominin fossil record 3.5 mya. d. it probably lived in […]

Plesiadapiforms are also called: a. proprimates. b. dryopithecids. c. proconsulids. d. adapids. Sexual dimorphism: a. refers to the mating rites of primates. b. concerns differences in body size and canine size. c. refers primarily to male and female social hierarchy. […]

The diversity of the hominins included increasingly specialized: a. locomotion. b. social patterns. c. body sizes. d. diets. A symptom of anemia where spongy bone invades the eye sockets is called: a. hyperostosis. b. trabeculitis. c. orbital arthritis. d. cribra […]

The last 10,000 years is called the: a. Cenozoic. b. Quaternary. c. Solutren. d. Holocene. In certain species of nonhuman primates there are groups where only one dominant female has access to mates. The other females must wait until the […]

Linnaeus’s taxonomic system is referred to as a “hierarchy” because: a. each species has a “higher level” genus and “lower level” species, and are placed within additional higher level categories. b. species are placed in a ranked list called the […]

Microsatellites are: a. small satellite transmitters used in genetic research. b. useful for determining group but not individual identification. c. highly individualized repetitive stretches of nuclear DNA. d. known from Watson and Crick’s 1950’s research. Which of the following is […]