Question

Which of the following complex behaviors separates early modern humans from all other hominins?

1) Tool technologies
2) Hunting in groups and eating meat
3) Care for the dead
4) Fire
5) None of the above are unique to Homo sapiens

Answer 1

Care for the dead is a unique complex behavior that separates early modern humans from other hominins, demonstrating symbolic thinking and emotional depth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the behaviors listed, care for the dead is one of the distinguishing features that separates early modern humans, Homo sapiens, from all other hominins. Early Homo sapiens practiced sophisticated burial rituals and other forms of mortuary behavior that suggest a concern for the dead that goes beyond mere disposal of bodies. This behavior signifies a level of cognitive and emotional development not definitely evidenced in other hominin species.

While all of the other behaviors listed, like tool technologies, hunting in groups and eating meat, mastery of fire, and others, were also present to varying degrees in other hominin species before Homo sapiens, the symbolic and complex nature of Homo sapiens' treatment of their dead appears unique to them.

Answer 2

None of the listed complex behaviors are unique to Homo sapiens. They used advanced tool technologies and fire, practiced group hunting, and cared for the dead, but these were developments shared with other hominins such as Neanderthals and Homo erectus. Hence, the correct option 5.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the question of which complex behaviors separate early modern humans (Homo sapiens) from other hominins, the answer is 5) None of the above are unique to Homo sapiens. While Homo sapiens did develop sophisticated tool technologies, including stone implements and weapons, these were not exclusively their innovations.

Other hominids utilized tools, though perhaps not as advanced. The use of fire and group hunting strategies was present in earlier hominids as well, with evidence of H. erectus utilizing fire around 1.7-2.0 million years ago. The act of caring for the dead has been observed in Neanderthals. Therefore, the suite of behaviors listed in the question were not unique to early modern humans, but rather part of a continuum of development seen in the hominin lineage.