Problem

The ancestors of horses are each known from dozens, hundreds, or in some cases even thousa...

The ancestors of horses are each known from dozens, hundreds, or in some cases even thousands, of virtually complete specimens. Yet hominin species of the same age are often known only from one or a very few partial specimens, such as the crushed partial skull of Sahelanthropus. As a result, we understand equine evolution much better than we do hominid evolution. Speculate as to why this is so: Why are hominin fossils rare? Does the scarcity of hominin fossils invalidate the conclusions of paleontologists? Put another way, is it really possible to learn anything useful from a single bone fragment?

Step-by-Step Solution

Request Professional Solution

Request Solution!

We need at least 10 more requests to produce the solution.

0 / 10 have requested this problem solution

The more requests, the faster the answer.

Request! (Login Required)


All students who have requested the solution will be notified once they are available.
Add your Solution
Textbook Solutions and Answers Search
Solutions For Problems in Chapter 20