Dawn of Humanity Film Questions       

1. What are the primary differences between Australopithecus Sediba and Homo Naledi?

2. What made Raymond Dart and his followers believe that early hominins were violent and aggressive (killer apes)?

3. What evidence eventually disproved his hypothesis?

4. Why were ‘small scientists’ needed in the excavation stage for the Naledi cave?

5. Why were Homo Naledi classified in the genus Homo rather than Australopithecus? Be sure to discuss both skeleton and cranium.

6. How many bones and fragments were eventually pulled out of the Homo Naledi cave?

7. What makes researchers believe that the bones were intentionally placed there? In your opinion, is this a ‘cemetery’?

Answer preview

The “Dawn of Humanity” film provides exciting and informative details about the evolution of humans. Lees and his Colleagues excavate the remaining two different human species from two different sites in southern Africa in their film. One of the genera whose remains were excavated from Malala, South Africa.  According to the “Dawn of Humanity” film, Australopithecus Sediba was the last member of the Australopithecus family. Scientists discovered that Australopithecus remains existed between 1.95 and 1.78   million years ago. Some of the important characteristics of Australopithecus Sediba are as follows.  Australopithecus Sediba was an ape-like creature with a tiny brain and walked upright.  In the upper body part, Australopithecus Sediba was Apeish while downwards was more of human.  In specific, this Australopithecus was about 1.2 meters tall.  Moreover, the jaws and teeth were fully rounded d in front of those of the modern-day human. On the other hand, Homo Naledi was a member of humankind. The remains of this genus were excavated from the south African rising star cave.  The researchers found that Naledi was human-like in their hands, teeth, and legs.  Like the Australopithecus Sediba, the homo Naledi had a smaller brain which was less than that of the modern human brain.  At this level, the social bond was beginning to take shape.  In other words, the Homo Naledi was burying their dead members.  Naledi was small-brained and small-bodied with chimp-like arms but human hands, teeth, brows, and long legs, probably long-distance walkers.

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