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: Concept Summary:
This question assesses knowledge of paleoanthropological discovery timelines. Arrange the listed fossils/groups in order of discovery, from earliest to most recent.
Step 2: Detailed Breakdown:
Identify the discovery year for each fossil:
- D. Cro-Magnon: Remains of Cro-Magnon, early anatomically modern humans, were found in France in 1868.
- B. Australopithecus africanus: The "Taung Child" specimen was found in South Africa in 1924.
- C. Australopithecus robustus: The TM 1517 specimen was discovered in South Africa in 1938.
- A. Australopithecus boisei: The OH 5 ("Zinjanthropus") specimen was discovered in Tanzania in 1959.
Step 3: Solution:
Chronological order of discoveries:
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.