Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology (Fourth Edition)
Our Origins: Discovering Physical Anthropology (Fourth Edition)
4th Edition
ISBN: 9780393615067
Author: Clark Spencer Larsen
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
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Chapter 8, Problem 1SQ
Summary Introduction

Introduction: Fossils are considered as the remains and traces of the living organism which was once alive. Fossils are completely or partially transformed in the form of rock. Mostly the fossils are composed of teeth and bones.

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Answer to Problem 1SQ

Correct answer: a. burial soon after death by sediments or volcanic ash.

Explanation of Solution

Reason for the correct answer:

Burial of organisms results in the decay of soft tissue. Only skeletal remains such as bones and teeth are covered with water and deposited as sediments. Many layers of deposit are completely or partially transformed into fossils in the form of rocks.

Option a. is given as “burial soon after death by sediments or volcanic ash”.

Hence, the correct answer is option a.

Reasons for incorrect answers:

Option b. is given as “burial after defleshing of bones by scavengers and insects”.

After death, the flesh is decomposed by scavengers and insects and bones will weather, break or disappear. So there is no chance for fossil formation. Therefore, option b is incorrect.

Option c. is given as “burial in groundwater or acidic soils”.

Groundwater and acidic soils can dissolve the skeletal remains. So, there is no appearance of any fossils. Therefore, option c. is incorrect.

Option d. is given as “burial in a geologically active area with high ground pressure”.

Ground pressure or geologic activity can distort the formation of any potential fossils. Therefore, option d. is incorrect.

Hence, options b., c., and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Thus, fossils are formed when the body’s skeletal remains exposed over a long period and became sediments.

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Students have asked these similar questions
Scientists find an artifact next to an index fossil. What can they conclude about the unknown age of the artifact?  a The artifact is older than the index fossil.  b The artifact is younger than the index fossil.  c The artifact is approximately the same age as the index fossil.  d The artifact's age is not related to that of the index fossil.
Which is true concerning how fossils are used as evidence?     A. Fossils cannot be compared to one another but can be compared to living organisms.   B. Fossils can be compared to one another but not to living organisms.   C. Fossils cannot be compared to one another or to living organisms.   D. Fossils can be compared to one another and to living organisms.
Use the graph to answer questions #7-8 on the fossils. I think number #9 is B
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