Question

Through the careful study of _________, the paleontologist Charles Brain realized that the early hominin bones found in South African caves as well as the bones of many other kinds of animals often got into the caves because of ___________.

Answer 1

Charles Brain, through the study of hominin fossils, concluded that bones in South African caves often arrived due to predation or accidental falls. The fossil record, including finds like Homo naledi, provides deep insights into the behavior and evolution of early humans.

Step-by-step explanation:

Through the careful study of hominin fossils, the paleontologist Charles Brain realized that the early hominin bones found in South African caves as well as the bones of many other kinds of animals often got into the caves because of predation or accidental falls. Discoveries such as those of Homo naledi, whose fossils were found in a cave and indicate that early human species may have been deliberately depositing their dead in remote places, contribute significantly to our understanding of human evolution. It is through the analysis of cave sites and the patterns left by early hominins, like continuous hearth fires or the scaffolding holes for cave paintings, that we glean insights into the behaviors and lifestyles of these ancient ancestors.