Question

read the passage and then answer the question. for some tasks, smaller is better. in 2013, two men exploring a south african cave found some bones in an underground chamber. when anthropologist lee berger saw photos of the chamber, he thought it was important. but reaching it required squeezing through narrow cave passages, some less than eight inches wide. berger couldnt fit. he published an ad seeking experienced scientists who could work in caves. six women met the requirements. these \underground astronauts\ dug up more than 1,500 fragments of bones from the cave. from these specimens, bergers team was able to rebuild fifteen partial skeletons. they concluded that they had discovered a new human ancestor, which they named homo naledi. what is the meaning of specimens as used in the passage? individual pieces large granite stones statues or monuments small souvenirs

Explanation:

The passage describes the discovery of bones in a cave. The term "specimens" here refers to the bones (fragments of partial skeletons) found. These are individual pieces as they are parts (fragments) that together form a whole (the new human ancestor).

Answer:

individual pieces