Which fossil would be considered a significant find in understanding human evolution?

A complete skeleton of an early hominin is a significant find in understanding human evolution because it provides crucial information about the physical characteristics, anatomy, and potential behaviors of our ancestors. A well-preserved skeleton allows scientists to analyze key features such as brain size, bipedalism (the ability to walk on two legs), and overall body proportions, helping to establish evolutionary relationships between different hominin species.

In contrast, fossilized plant material, common household artifacts, or ancient tree bark do not offer direct insights into human evolutionary biology. While plant material can provide context about the environment in which early humans lived, and artifacts can give clues about behavior and culture, they do not hold the same level of anatomical significance as a hominin skeleton. Thus, the fossilized remains of an early hominin directly inform our understanding of the evolutionary trajectory that led to modern humans.