Rise of Human

1. 6th Grade UBD - Unit 2 - Rise of Human Rise of Human

2. Preview • Analyzing Artifacts- Archaeologists use technology to study artifacts. Their discoveries may result in new evidence that modifies old theories about ancient humans. • Hominins- The lifespan of the hominins extends from 5.8 million years ago to the present. Hominins include a significant number of distinct species. • Habitat and Environment- Hominins survived changes in their environment by being adaptable. This allowed them to endure for millions of years.

3. Reach Into Your Background • What kind of clues are left behind at a crime scene? What can we learn from those clues? What can we learn from clues left by people who have died thousands of years ago? (5 minutes)

4. Partner Activity • Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

5. Key Ideas- Analyzing Artifacts • Early archaeologists often collected only the most valuable artifacts. They did not always keep good records or take good care of the site. • Today, archaeologists follow strict rules to preserve both artifacts and sites. • Archaeologists study the technology and culture of ancient civilizations.

6. Archaeologists as Detectives • Archaeologists are social scientists who study how people lived in an earlier time. • They examine the remains of what those people made and used. • They are like detectives. They investigate the clues left behind and piece together the story of how ancient peoples lived.

7. Key Term Archaeologists- Social scientists who study how people lived in an earlier time.

8. Anthropologists Video- Anthropologists

9. The Study of Artifacts • Many archaeologists today work for universities or museums. • Often archaeologiststravel to the location where ancient people lived to search for artifacts—remains and objects.

10. The Study of Artifacts • What archaeologists find provides them with information about what early life was like. • Archaeologists must carefully record and analyze the artifacts they find. • They then share this information with others.

11. Key Term Artifact- An object made by human beings; often refers to a primitive tool or other relic from an earlier period.

12. A Developing Science • Today, archaeology is a science, but it did not start out this way. • In the early 1900s, archaeologists were explorers. • Often, they focused on finding valuable items that could be sold.

13. A Developing Science • Early archaeologists did not always take the greatest of care with smaller, fragile artifacts that they believed to be less valuable. Many artifacts were destroyed • By the 1960s, archaeology had become a more exact science.

14. Key Term Dig Site- A place where an archaeological dig is going on.

15. Tools of the Craft • Archaeologists often search for years before they find a site to dig. • They look for elements that would help the creation of a civilization. • They search in places close to water and with good soil quality. • Sites of large cities or societies are likely to contain more artifacts.

16. Tools of the Craft • Fossils and other artifacts help to explain who lived in certain areas and when they lived there. • Old tools reveal information about the technological abilities of a people. • Sculpture, art, and pottery provide clues about ancient cultures and the people’s beliefs.

17. Neanderthal Tools Video- Neanderthal Tools

18. Key Term Fossil- The remains (or an impression) of a plant or animal that existed in the past geological age.

19. Key Term Culture- The attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization.

20. Careful Study • Present-day archaeology has worldwide rules for digging. • Shovels and picks are used only for a small portion of the work. • Much more is done with much smaller instruments to avoid destroying anything.

21. Research and Teamwork • The found objects are also studied extensively. • Laboratory analysis is performed to see how old the material is. • Often scientists from other fields examine the artifacts, too. Their knowledge contributes information that the archaeologist might not have.

22. Conclusion • Archaeologists use artifacts to learn about ancient people and cultures. • They draw conclusions from their research about the daily lives of ancient humans. They are particularly interested in the technology and culture of ancient civilizations.

23. Key Ideas- Hominins • Each subsequent hominin increased in height and brain size. • Over time, hominins began walking on two feet instead of climbing. • Exploring hominins helps us understand more about modern humans. The discovery of Homo erectus solidified the theory that Africa is the birthplace of humanity.

24. Technology • Looking at technology can tell us about the lifestyles of people. For example, consider the discovery of spears used by early humans. • These might suggest that the civilization was centered on hunting, or that the people faced threats from other people or wild animals.

25. Technology • Later civilizations developed farming tools like plows. • The discovery of these tools is a sign that people grew crops. • They were settled down in one location, not constantly moving in search of food.

26. Hominin Prehistory and Hominins • In 1992, archaeologists found a molar tooth in Ethiopia. • This tooth was unlike any remain that had been seen before. • Archaeologists believed that they had found a new kind of hominin.

27. Key Term Hominin- Are humans and their early ancestors.

28. Hominin Prehistory and Hominins • The ancient skeleton was thought to be more than five million years old. • Archaeologists called the species Ardipithecus, and nicknamed the skeleton “Ardi.” • Archaeologists concluded that Ardi was about 4 feet tall and weighed 110 pounds.

29. Hominin Prehistory and Hominins • Archaeologists also determined that she was she walked on two feet. • She also climbed trees and could grasp with her feet. • She did not walk on her knuckles like an ape, nor did she climb as easily as a chimpanzee.

30. Species of Hominins • There are many species of hominins. • Modern humans are the only ones that survive today. • However, all hominins are part of the hominid family, which also includes gorillas and chimpanzees.

31. Key Ideas- Hominin Habitats • Hominins had to cope with intense weather shifts that lasted for years. These conditions affected where they lived. • Larger brain size in later hominins allowed them to process information and adapt to the changing environments. • Later hominins learned to make tools, find shelter, and control fire. These developments helped them to survive harsh environments and move to new locations.

32. Hominin Habitats • Scientists can determine the climate, environment, and habitats of hominins millions of years ago. • Hominins were very adaptable. • They endured for several million years during unpredictable environmental change.

33. Hominin Habitats • The unpredictable weather played a large role in where early hominins chose to settle. • Hominins lived by sources of food and water. • If the environment changed, hominins had to move. Otherwise, they might die. They avoided places with few resources..

34. Location of Earliest Hominins • Much evidence of the earliest hominins has been found in Africa. • Africa provided wooded areas and grassland where animals grazed. • Plants, fruits, insects, and small animals were plentiful.

35. Adapting to New Environments • The ability to adapt was necessary for survival. • Caves protected them from the elements. Their shelters also provided a place to store food. • Eventually, hominins learned to use fire. These developments enabled some to move to regions in Asia and Europe where they would not have survived before.

36. Independent Activity • What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)

37. Partner Activity • Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)