Final answer:
The skulls of early hominids like Australopithecus afarensis and Paranthropus aethiopicus show a mix of modern and primitive features. Cranial bonding by the Nazca and plastered skulls in Neolithic times illustrate different cultural practices related to honoring the deceased.
Step-by-step explanation:
The skulls mentioned, such as the Australopithecus afarensis and Paranthropus aethiopicus, represent important finds in the study of early human evolution. These skulls provide evidence of the physical characteristics of early hominids. The Australopithecus afarensis, also known as the Taung child, had both modern and primitive features, with a smaller, sloped forehead and larger teeth. The Paranthropus aethiopicus, or the 'black skull,' showed a mix of robust and gracile traits, living about 2.5 million years ago. Additionally, cultural practices such as cranial bonding by the Nazca and the creation of plastered skulls in Neolithic times or carved boxes for ancestor bones by the Fang suggest diverse approaches to honoring and mourning the dead.