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Dive into the world of prehistory and the dawn of civilization. Explore the methods used by scientists and historians to uncover ancient mysteries, linking geography and history. Meet the "Team" of archaeologists, botanists, chemists, geologists, biologists, and paleoanthropologists who analyze evidence from the past. Discover the Laetoli Footprints, Çatalhöyük, and the Tyrolean Iceman. Understand how historians decode the past and why multiple perspectives are crucial. Join the journey of understanding our roots and the intricate tapestry of human history.
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Toward Civilization Prehistory - 3500 B.C.
Understanding Our Past • What methods do scientists use to find out about early peoples? • How do historians reconstruct the past? • How are geography and history linked?
Interpretations of history are subject to change as new information is uncovered.
How do we know about prehistory? • Prehistoric humans could not write. • Prehistory refers to the time before writing was invented (writing was invented about 3,500 B.C.E.). • There were no cities, governments, or complex inventions. • Who analyzes prehistoric evidence?
The “Team” • Archaeologists • Botanists • Chemists • Geologists • Biologists • Paleoanthropologists
Archaeologists • find artifacts (things) including man-made tools, weapons, and pottery.
Botanists • work with plants • study fossilized pollen, seeds, and animal bones to determine diet.
Chemists • determine the ages of plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
Geologists • study the history of the earth and its life, especially as recorded in rocks. • examen fossils - plants and animals preserved in rocks.
Biologists • study life. • study human bones. • study bloodstains on tools/weapons. • study fossils and sometimes geographic evidence of prehistoric life (paleontology - a branch of biology).
Paleoanthropologists • examine, analyze, report on, and compare different cultures and how they grow, develop, and interact • study the origins and developments of people and their societies
Laetoli Footprints • Who left the prints? • How were they preserved? • How old are they? http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/africa/laetoli.html http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/07/1/l_071_03.html
http://www.smm.org/catal/introduction/ Çatalhöyük • What does the wall painting tell us? • What did the people eat? • What was the purplish dust found at the site? http://www.catalhoyuk.com/
Tyrolean Iceman • How did he die? • How old is he? • What did he eat? http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/icemummies/iceman.html • What were his weapons?
Details about the past vary depending on the opinion of the historian. A history told from just one point of view would be opinionated, limited in details, and possibly from a biased perspective.
Historians • Recorded history began about 5,000 years ago (in different parts of the world). • Historians rely on written evidence to determine how people lived in the past. • Historians also study artifacts such as clothing, coins, art, weapons, etc.. • A historian is a detective. • Remember the lunchroom - a history told from just ONE historian is not enough!