Final answer:
Paleoanthropology is the subject of this question. It involves studying the fossil evidence and material culture of human ancestors to understand human evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Paleoanthropology is a field of study that focuses on examining the fossil evidence and material culture of human ancestors. It involves analyzing the physical characteristics of skulls and skeletal remains to form hypotheses about important milestones in human evolution. In the context of the question, the paleoanthropologist hired a team of thin women to fit through a narrow chute in a cave and retrieve the bones of early hominids, specifically Homo naledi individuals. These early hominids lived in South Africa around 2.5 to 2.8 million years ago, and the discovery of their fossils has provided valuable insights into human origins.