Question

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops was important mainly because:

a. it had a small brain like an ape's.
b. it was discovered in Kenya.
c. it showed diversity in the hominin fossil record 3.5 mya.
d. it probably lived in woodlands.

Answer 1

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops is significant because it highlighted diversity in the hominin fossil record 3.5 million years ago, emphasizing the complexity and branching nature of human evolution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The discovery of Kenyanthropus platyops was important mainly because it showed diversity in the hominin fossil record 3.5 million years ago (MYA). This finding indicates that more than one hominin lineage was existing at the same time during our early evolutionary history. Although it is not one of the most famous early hominids like Australopithecus afarensis or Homo habilis, the discovery of Kenyanthropus adds to our understanding of the complex pathways of human evolution. The discovery is less about where it was found or the specific habitats that it may have lived in, and more about the variation and adaptability of early hominids, which demonstrates the branching nature of our evolutionary tree.