HUMAN ORIGINS:Humanity Before Civilization

Early Man/Hominids: Appeared about 4 million years ago (mya) Bipedal (walked on two feet) All are members of the human family tree Walking on two legs means having hands

free to do other things. What would be some advantages of this?

-ability to carry objects and young -ability to make/use tools -self defense/weapons

Early Man/Hominids: Australopithecus afarensis: -Approximately 3.2 million years old-Found in Africa-Represented by the famous “Lucy” fossil

remains-Oldest conclusive evidence of bipedalism

(walking on two feet)

Early Man/Hominids: Homo habilis:-Approximately 2.5 million years old-Found in Africa-Nicknamed “handy man” because first to

make and use tools (from stone)

Early Man/Hominids: Homo erectus:-Approximately 2 million years ago-First to leave Africa and enter Europe and

Asia-Walked completely upright (like us), made

tools from stone, bone and wood-First to use fire

Give four examples of the usage of fire during the Stone Age.

1) warmth/light to migrate into colder climates

2) to scare off wild animals/predators

3) to cook food (more efficient) 4) to harden/sharpen tools

Homo sapiens: Homo sapiens means “man who thinks”. Humans now hunters, rather than huntedTwo types of Homo sapiens, both about 250 000 years old:

A) Homo sapiens neanderthalis (Neanderthals): -Found in Europe-Sloped skull, broad noses, thick eyebrow ridges-Short and stocky body frame-Organized hunter-gatherers but mostly huntersMethods: a) pitfall traps, b) use of bogs and deep stream banks

(surround and chase into)-Lived short lives-Were social, cared for sick, buried dead-Died out approximately 30 000 years ago

Homo sapiens: B) Homo sapiens sapiens, a.k.a. Cro-Magnons:-Entered Europe from Africa about 40 000 years ago, but

still found around the world today (us)Skull and body shape like us today.-Organized hunter-gatherers with better tools, weapons,

shelters etc Traded stone tools over long distances Using tools of stone, bone, wood, ivory, horns Making beads, ornaments, needles, fishing hooks,

bows and arrowsVery social, cared for sick and buried dead (probably superior language compared to Neanderthals).

See page 18 for diagrams

Brain/skull size increases throughout each species, teeth also become closer in shape and size to ours.

Indicates increase in language areas in the brain as well as change in diet etc.

See pages 20 and 21: 1) Why did the Neanderthals disappear about 30 000 years ago? (4 possible reasons

given) A) Conquered /Killed by modern humans B) Bred/mixed with modern humans C) Were outcompeted by modern humans D) Died due to exposure to diseases brought

to them by newcomers (such as modern humans)

See pages 20 and 21: 2) How did the Cro-Magnons enter into

the Americas about 30 000 years ago? At that time, sea level was lower due to

water being “locked up” in glaciers covering much of Europe and North America. As the ice retreated (melted), they were able to cross the Bering Strait and enter the Americas.

(Image on next slide)

Key Developments of Modern Man:

A) Bipedalism: -Hands free to carry objects and

young over long distances, shape and use tools

(food, clothing etc), and shape and use

weapons for defenseB) Opposable thumbs:-Better grasp, more dexterity for

making and using tools etc.

Key Developments of Modern Man:

C) Control of Fire:-Warmth/light to migrate into colder climates, defense, cook food, harden

and sharpen toolsD) Tools/weapons:-Became hunters instead of the

huntedE) Speech/language:-Ability to work together

closely(cooperate), share culture and knowledge

Provide definitions for: 1) Hominids 2) Anthropologist 3) Fossils 4) Artifacts 5) Evolution 6) Primary documents 7) Paleontologist 8) Archaeology

The Tasaday of Mindanao:

Nova: The Lost Tribe

9 minutes

Darwin and Evolution:

Bill Nye on Evolution

Bill Nye Part 2

The Scopes Trial:

Inherit the Wind

Crossword Puzzle Answers: Across: 6. evolution 8. civilization 11. Africa 14. Neanderthals 19. primary documents 20. CroMagnons 21. Scopes

Crossword Puzzle Answers: Down: 1. hominid 2. fossils 3. Darwin 4. Homo habilis 5. Lucy 7. natural

selection 9. Paleontologist

Down: 10. Archaeology 12.

Anthropologists 13. bipedal 15. Homo erectus 16. Homo sapiens 17. Tasaday 18. artifacts

Ardipithecus ramidus

Ardi Science daily article