The Origins of Man Trivia Quiz

Answer: Charles Darwin

Darwin's book, "On The Origin of the Species" set forth the idea that animals (including humans) changed their form over a long period of time in an evolutionary process called natural selection. In a developing species the superior individuals would gradually take the place of those with inferior characteristics.

The press distorted Darwin's ideas by reporting that he said man derived from apes. What he did say, however, was that man and apes share a common ancestor. The most important evidence that man did not derive from apes is the fact that apes are still a thriving species.

Answer: Mankind

Beginning in 1931 Louis and Mary Leakey found not only bones of hominids, but also tools and other debris left behind - even fossilized dung, containing lizard bones and other creatures that must have been eaten whole. In addition a circle of stones was found that is believed to be the foundation of a hut over 700,000 years old, which is the earliest man made structure in the world.

Answer: Neanderthal

The first Neanderthal skull was found in 1856. Although modern commercials suggest otherwise, some scientists argue that Neanderthal man looked so much like homo sapiens sapiens that if a Neanderthal dressed in modern clothes walked down the street, no one would notice any difference.

Answer: Donald Johanson

When Lucy was discovered in 1974 at a site called Hadar in Ethiopia, she represented the oldest, most complete hominid fossil ever found. Lucy walked upright, but had a brain much smaller than true humans. The following year Donald Johanson found what has been called "The First Family" - parts of thirteen individuals from about the same time period as Lucy.

Answer: Australopithecus

Lucy was classified as an "Australopithecus Afarenis." She was an adult, approximately 48 inches tall, weighing between 50-55 pounds. Her brain, about 1/4 the size of a modern human, was close in size to a softball. Lucy had an apelike brain, and a human like skeleton and teeth.

Answer: Peking Man

Homo erectus was one of the most successful and long-lived species of the "Homo" genus. He is considered to be the first true human and first habitual biped. Evidence also suggests that he was the first ancestor to use fire. Fossils have been found in Africa, China (Peking man), and Indonesia, dating back to about 1.6 million years ago.

Answer: Neanderthal

Neanderthal burials date back to about 60,000 years ago. Burials have been found where the corpse had its legs and arms drawn in close to its chest in a ritual position. Animal antlers, flower fragments, and other tools have been found next to the skeletal remains. Approximately 400 Neanderthal burials have been uncovered and studied.

Answer: Cro Magnon

There is much discussion about why the caves were painted. Was it to communicate? Was it some type of magic? Was it religious or ceremonial? The general consensus, however, is that Cro Magnon began painting there about 32,000 years ago.

Answer: Mary Leakey

In 1976 at Laetoli, Tanzania, Mary Leakey found footprints of three hominids, one walking in the footprint of another. Approximately three and a half million years old, the footprints were preserved in volcanic ash. There was no knuckle impression, and the arch imprint was typical of humans, indicating habitual upright walking.

Answer: Australopithecus, Homo Erectus, Neanderthal, Cro Magnon

"As a species, we are blessed with a curiosity about the world of nature and our place in it. We want to know - need to know - how we came to be as we are, and what our future is." Richard Leakey "The Origin of Humankind".