ANTH 110 — ESSAY QUESTIONS FOR “SEVEN DAUGHTERS OF EVE” BY SYKES

 

You will be responsible for answering two essay questions on the book by Sykes. I will select the two essays from the follow­ing list of questions. The test will be closed book and no notes will be permitted. Your answers must be complete and supported by specific information and examples from the book to get full credit. Be sure you can answer each section of the questions. Good organization and a clear writing style are necessary to obtain a high grade. Very brief and vague answers should be avoided. Your answers must be based specifically on the book, simply discussing related information covered in class discussions is not sufficient.

 

1. (a) Describe the “iceman” discovered in the Alps in 1991. What were the characteristics of the iceman? (b) Describe and explain the scientific techniques used by Sykes to study the iceman. (c) What did Sykes conclude about the identity of the iceman and how old he was?

 

2. (a) What is DNA and what does it do? (b) Explain how the genetic makeup of humans can be used to reconstruct evolutionary relationships among different human populations. Use the example of blood groups to explain early attempts at identifying evolutionary relationships between human populations. (c) What were the limitations of this research on blood groups?

 

3. (a) What is mitochondrial DNA? How is it different from nuclear DNA? Why is it so important for research on the evolution of humans? (b) Describe and explain the specific research on mitochondrial DNA by Wilson in the late 1980s. (c) What was the conclusion of this research about the evolution of humans?

 

4. (a) Explain the controversy surrounding the execution of the last Russian Tsar and his family in 1918. (b) Describe the research done by Sykes to answer questions about people claiming to be surviving descendants of the Tsar. What are his conclusions? (c) Why does Sykes claim that he is related to the Tsar?

 

5. (a) Historically, what have been the opposing explanations for the peopling of the Pacific islands by Polynesians? Explain each view and the evidence used to support it. (b) Describe the research conducted by Sykes to settle the dispute. (c) What were his conclusions about the way in which the Pacific Islands were colonized and what was his evidence that led him to reach this conclusion? Be sure to explain in detail his reconstruction of human migration into the Pacific.

 

6. (a) Describe the discovery and characteristics of the Neandertal. (b) Explain the historic debate about the relationship between Neandertal, Cro Magnon, and modern humans. (c) What does Sykes conclude about this debate? What is his evidence for reaching this conclusion?

 

7. (a) What was the traditional view by Cavalli-Sforza and others about the origins of the peoples of Europe? What was the evidence supporting this viewpoint? (b) What evidence led Sykes to reject this traditional explanation? What were his specific conclusions? (c) When Sykes first proposed his explanation for the peopling of Europe what was the reaction of other scientists? How did he respond?

 

8. Discuss other research relevant to the debate on the origins of Europeans. (a) Who is “Cheddar Man” and what was his role in the debate about the origins of modern Europeans. How did Sykes use this fossil to support his argument? (b) What is y-chromosome DNA research? According to Sykes, does this y-chromosome research agree or disagree with his conclusions for the peopling of Europe? Explain.

 

9. For chapters, 15-21 on the ‘daughters of Eve’: (a) compare and contrast ‘Jasmine’ (Chp. 21) with two other daughters of Eve discussed in chapters 15-20. For each of the three daughters discuss her time period, location, characteristics, environment, and lifestyle. (b) What are the significant differences between Jasmine and the other daughters of Eve? What was the relative contribution of each of the three daughters to the modern European population?

 

10. (a) According to Sykes, what does mitochondrial DNA research tell us about the relationships of peoples in the world as a whole — that is, what are the relationships between Europeans, Asians, Africans, and Native Americans? (b) In his view, what is the ultimate origin of all modern humans? What is his evidence for reaching this conclusion? (c) What does this genetic research say about the concept of ‘race’ among modern humans?