With reference to evolution of man which of the following statements are correct?
(A) Ramapithecus was more ape-like.
(B) Australopithecines probably lived in East African grasslands.
(C) The brain capacity of Homo habilis was between \( 950 - 1100 \) cc.
(D) The Neanderthal man with a brain size of \( 1400 \) cc lived in near east and central Asia.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → (B) and (D) only
The question is about the main stages of human evolution, from the early primates to modern man. Each statement is judged below.
(A) Ramapithecus was more ape-like. — Incorrect. Two primates lived about 15 million years ago. Ramapithecus was more man-like, while Dryopithecus was more ape-like. The two are often mixed up.
(B) Australopithecines probably lived in East African grasslands. — Correct. They lived about 2 million years ago. They hunted with stone weapons but mainly ate fruit.
(C) The brain capacity of Homo habilis was between 950 − 1100 cc. — Incorrect. Homo habilis, the first human-like being, had a brain capacity of 650–800 cc. Homo erectus came next with about 900 cc.
(D) The Neanderthal man with a brain size of 1400 cc lived in near east and central Asia. — Correct. They lived between 1,00,000 and 40,000 years back. They used hides to protect the body and buried their dead.
NCERT Extract:
Origin and Evolution of Man – “… About 15 mya, primates called Dryopithecus and Ramapithecus were existing. They were hairy and walked like gorillas and chimpanzees. Ramapithecus was more man-like while Dryopithecus was more ape-like. Few fossils of man-like bones have been discovered in Ethiopia and Tanzania …. These revealed hominid features leading to the belief that about 3-4 mya, man-like primates walked in eastern Africa. They were probably not taller than 4 feet but walked up right. Two mya, Australopithecines probably lived in East African grasslands. Evidence shows they hunted with stone weapons but essentially ate fruit. Some of the bones among the bones discovered were different. This creature was called the first human-like being the hominid and was called Homo habilis. The brain capacities were between 650-800cc. They probably did not eat meat. Fossils discovered in Java in 1891 revealed the next stage, i.e., Homo erectus about 1.5 mya. Homo erectus had a large brain around 900cc. Homo erectus probably ate meat. The Neanderthal man with a brain size of 1400cc lived in near east and central Asia between 1,00,000-40,000 years back.”