Which one of the following is the most primitive ancestor of man?

Options

A. Homo habilis
B. Australophecus
C. Ramapithecus punjabicus
D. Homo neanderthalensis

Answer

To determine the most primitive ancestor of man from the given options, we will analyze each option based on their appearance in the evolutionary timeline.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understand the Question**: We need to identify the most primitive ancestor of man from the options provided.

2. **Analyze Option A: Homo habilis**:
- Homo habilis is known to have appeared approximately 2.3 to 1.6 million years ago.
- This species is considered one of the earliest members of the genus Homo but is not the most primitive.

3. **Analyze Option B: Australopithecus**:
- Australopithecus existed around 4.1 to 2 million years ago.
- While earlier than Homo habilis, it is still not the most primitive ancestor.

4. **Analyze Option C: Ramapithecus punjabicus**:
- Ramapithecus punjabicus is believed to have existed around 14 to 15 million years ago.
- This makes it significantly older than both Homo habilis and Australopithecus, indicating it is more primitive.

5. **Analyze Option D: Homo neanderthalensis**:
- Homo neanderthalensis appeared much later, around 40,000 years ago.
- This species is not primitive in comparison to the others listed.

6. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the most primitive ancestor of man among the options is **Option C: Ramapithecus punjabicus**, as it existed 14 to 15 million years ago, making it the earliest in the timeline of human ancestry.

### Final Answer:
**Option C: Ramapithecus punjabicus** is the most primitive ancestor of man.

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