Rise of Human6th Grade UBD - Unit 2 - Rise of Human

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.

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)

Partner Activity

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

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.

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.

Key Term

Archaeologis

ts- Social

scientists who

study how

people lived in

an earlier

time.

AnthropologistsVideo- Anthropologists

The Study of Artifacts

Many archaeologists today

work for universities or

museums.

Often archaeologists travel

to the location where

ancient people lived to

search for artifacts—

remains and objects.

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.

Key Term

Artifact- An

object made

by human

beings; often

refers to a

primitive tool

or other relic

from an earlier

period.

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.

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.

Key Term

Dig Site- A

place where

an

archaeological

dig is going

on.

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.

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.

Neanderthal ToolsVideo- Neanderthal Tools

Key Term

Fossil- The

remains (or an

impression) of

a plant or

animal that

existed in the

past

geological

age.

Key Term

Culture- The

attitudes and

behavior that

are

characteristic

of a particular

social group or

organization.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Key Term

Hominin- Are

humans and

their early

ancestors.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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)

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)