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by Anonymous on August 3rd, 2005

Anonymous

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How do scientists decide whether to name fossils Australopithecus or Homo?

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Answers. 2 helpful answers below.

  • by lynnenorth on October 18th, 2005

    lynnenorth

    Two diagnostic features are brain size and (more importantly) shape, and the flatness of the face. Australopithecines have been found with brain sizes between roughly 380 - 550 cc; Homo habilis have brain sizes of 500 cc at the low end, overlapping the high end of the australopithecines, but this smaller brain size was combined with a flatter, more upright face, smaller brow ridges, smaller teeth, and significantly, a different brain shape, demonstrating a bulge over "Broca's area", one of the areas crucial to speech.

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  • by Max Power on April 8th, 2006

    Max Power

    If the fossil was bonin' another fossil they call it homo. Homo w/ Erectus

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