Java man and Peking man were

Options

A. carnivorous
B. herbivorous
C. cannibal
D. omnivorous and cannibal

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Terms:**
- First, we need to clarify the terms related to dietary habits:
- **Carnivorous:** Organisms that primarily eat meat.
- **Herbivorous:** Organisms that primarily eat plants.
- **Cannibal:** Organisms that eat members of their own species.
- **Omnivorous:** Organisms that eat both plants and meat.

2. **Identifying the Species:**
- The Java man and Peking man are both classified as **Homo erectus**. This classification is important as it provides context to their dietary habits.

3. **Dietary Habits of Homo erectus:**
- Homo erectus was known for its advanced tool-making abilities, which facilitated hunting. They were not limited to just one type of food source.
- They had knowledge of vegetation and could gather plant-based food, indicating they were not strictly carnivorous.

4. **Conclusion on Dietary Classification:**
- Given their ability to hunt and gather, the Java man and Peking man can be classified as **omnivorous**.
- Additionally, evidence suggests that cannibalism may have occurred among them, as they sometimes consumed members of their own species.

5. **Final Answer:**
- Therefore, the Java man and Peking man were primarily **omnivorous** and exhibited some cannibalistic behaviors.

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