Final answer:
Many primates can fashion tools and pass on this knowledge, providing insights into ancient humans' material culture. This shared behavior among primates and ancient humans suggests significant cognitive and communicative abilities vital for social and technological development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Researchers studying primates have discovered that many primate species are capable of using and creating tools, and they pass this knowledge from one individual to another within their social groups. This behavior indicates that the study of other primates may tell us more about ancient humans' material culture. Material culture includes the tangible aspects of culture, such as technology and tools, which are important in understanding the development of early human societies. The ability for tool fashioning, which is seen in other primates, offers insight into the cognitive and social abilities necessary for such complex behaviors, and is linked to the emergence of early forms of communication and potentially language amongst hominins.
The use of tools and the transmission of these skills within primate communities also shed light on the development of social organizations and strategies among primates. This extends to an understanding of social behaviors like group parenting and cooperation in hunting, both of which are seen in primate societies. Hence, the correct answer to the student's question would be 'a. material culture' as the primates’ ability to learn and share tool-making techniques relates directly to insights into ancient humans' material culture.