Unit 3 Test Vocab

Question 1

Mosaic Evolution

Answer 1

A pattern of evolution in which the rate of evolution in one functional system varies from that in other systems. (Ie. in hominin evolution, the dental system, locomotor system, and neurological system all evolved at markedly different rates.)

Question 2

Culture

Answer 2

Behavioral aspects of human adaptation, including technology, traditions, language, religion, marriage patterns, and social roles; a set of learned behaviors transmitted from one generation to the next by nonbiological means.

Question 3

Multidisciplinary

Answer 3

Pertaining to research involving mutual contributions and the cooperation of experts from various scientific fields, or disciplines.

Question 4

Stable Carbon Isotopes

Answer 4

Isotopes of carbon that are produced in plants in differing proportions, depending on environmental conditions. By analyzing the proportions of the isotopes contained in fossil remains of animals
(who ate the plants), it’s possible to reconstruct aspects of ancient diet and environments (particularly temperature and aridity).

Question 5

Artifacts

Answer 5

Objects or materials made or modified for use by hominins. The earliest artifacts are usually tools made of stone or occasionally bone.

Question 6

Taphonomy

Answer 6

(taphos, meaning “tomb”)
The study of how bones and other materials
came to be buried in the earth and
preserved as fossils. Taphonomists study
the processes of sedimentation, the action
of streams, preservation properties of bone,
and carnivore disturbance factors.

Question 7

Context

Answer 7

The environmental setting
where an archaeological trace is found.
Primary context is the setting in which
the archaeological trace was originally
deposited. A secondary context is one to
which it has been moved (such as by the
action of a stream).

Question 8

Chronometric Dating

Answer 8

(chrono, meaning
“time,” and metric, meaning “measure”)
A dating technique that gives an estimate
in actual numbers of years; also known as
absolute dating

Question 9

Stratigraphy

Answer 9

Study of the sequential layering of deposits

Question 10

Principle of Superposition

Answer 10

In a stratigraphic sequence, the lower layers were
deposited before the upper layers. Or,
simply put, the stuff on top of a heap was
put there last.

Question 11

Half-life

Answer 11

The time period in which one-half
the amount of a radioactive isotope is
converted chemically to a daughter
product. For example, after 1.25 billion
years, half the potassium-40 (40K) remains;
after 2.5 billion years, one-fourth remains.

Question 12

Thermoluminescence (TL)

Answer 12

A technique for dating
certain archaeological materials (such as
stone tools) that were heated in the past
and that, upon reheating, release the
stored energy of radioactive decay as light.

Question 13

Paleomagnetism

Answer 13

Dating method based on the earth’s shifting magnetic pole

Question 14

Biostratigraphy

Answer 14

A relative dating
technique based on the regular changes
seen in evolving groups of animals as well
as the presence or absence of particular
species.

Question 15

Blanks

Answer 15

In archaeology, stones suitably sized and shaped to be further worked into tools.

Question 16

Flake

Answer 16

A thin-edged fragment removed from a core

Question 17

Core

Answer 17

A stone reduced by flake removal. A core may or may not itself be used as a tool.

Question 18

Lithic

Answer 18

Referring to stone tools

Question 19

Knappers

Answer 19

People who make stone tools

Question 20

Direct Percussion

Answer 20

Striking a core or flake with a hammerstone

Question 21

Microliths

Answer 21

Small stone tools usually produced from narrow blades punched from a core; found especially in Africa during the latter part of the Pleistocene.

Question 22

Pressure Flaking

Answer 22

A method of removing flakes from a core by pressing a pointed implement against the stone

Question 23

Microwear

Answer 23

Polishes, striations, and other diagnostic microscopic changes on the edges of stone tools

Question 24

Phytoliths

Answer 24

Microscopic silica structures formed in the cells of many plants, particularly grasses

Question 25

Morphological

Answer 25

Pertaining to the form and structure of organisms

Question 26

Habitual Bipedalism

Answer 26

Bipedal locomotion as the form of locomotion shown by hominins most of the time

Question 27

Obligate Bipedalism

Answer 27

Bipedalism as the
only form of hominin terrestrial locomotion. Since major anatomical changes in the
spine, pelvis, and lower limbs are required
for bipedal locomotion, once hominins
adopted this mode of locomotion, other
forms of locomotion on the ground
became impossible

Question 28

Honing Complex

Answer 28

The shearing of a large
upper canine with the first lower premolar,
with the wear leading to honing of the surfaces of both teeth. This anatomical pattern
is typical of most Old World anthropoids
but is mostly absent in hominins

Question 29

Australopiths

Answer 29

A colloquial name referring to a diverse group of Plio-Pleistocene
African hominins. Australopiths are the
most abundant and widely distributed of
all early hominins and are also the most
completely studied.

Question 30

Sectorial

Answer 30

Adapted for cutting or shearing; among primates, this term refers to
the compressed (side-to-side) first lower
premolar, which functions as a shearing
surface with the upper canine.

Question 31

Sagittal CrestA ridge of bone that runs
down the middle of the cranium like a short
Mohawk. This serves as the attachment
for the large temporal muscles, indicating
strong chewing.

Question 32

Endocast

Answer 32

A solid impression of the inside of the skull vault, often preserving details relating to the size and surface features of the brain

Question 33

Nuchal Torus

Answer 33

A projection of bone in the back of
the cranium where neck muscles attach.
These muscles hold up the head.

Question 34

Acheulian

Answer 34

Pertaining
to a stone tool industry from the Early and
Middle Pleistocene; characterized by a
large proportion of bifacial tools (flaked
on both sides). Acheulian tool kits are common in Africa, Southwest Asia, and western
Europe, but they’re thought to be less common elsewhere. Also spelled Acheulean.

Question 35

Glaciations

Answer 35

Climatic intervals when
continental ice sheets cover much of the
northern continents. Glaciations are
associated with colder temperatures
in northern latitudes and more arid
conditions in southern latitudes, most
notably in Africa.

Question 36

Interglacials

Answer 36

Climatic intervals when
continental ice sheets are retreating,
eventually becoming much reduced in
size. Interglacials in northern latitudes are
associated with warmer temperatures,
while in southern latitudes the climate
becomes wetter.

Question 37

Flexed

Answer 37

The position of the body in a bent orientation, with arms and legs drawn up to the chest

Question 38

Upper Paleolithic

Answer 38

A cultural period
usually not only associated with modern
humans but also found with some
Neandertals and distinguished by
technological innovation in various stone
tool industries. Best known from western
Europe, similar industries are also known
from central and eastern Europe and Africa.

Question 39

Magdalenian

Answer 39

Pertaining to the final phase of the Upper Paleolithic stone tool industry in Europe

Question 40

Burins

Answer 40

Small, chisel-like tools with a pointed end; thought to have been used to engrave bone, antler, ivory, or wood