Prehistory & Early Humans || Unit 1

Primary Source

An artifact, document, diary, manuscript, autobiography, recording, or any other source of information that was created at the time of study.

Secondary Source

Someone that did not experience firsthand or participate in the events in which the author is writing about.

3 main reasons MAPS are important?

1. Contains information about a geographic region

2. Presents this information in a simple but effective way

3. Maps present a variety of different types of information

Latitude

Measurement north or south of the equator. Horizontal Lines. (think “ladder”)

Longitude

Measurement east or west of Greenwich in England.

Fossils

the remains or imprints of things that were once alive

Artifacts

objects made and used by humans

Difference between fossils and artifacts?

Fossils are preserved remains of living things whereas artifacts are the remains of things that were made by humans

Relative Dating

Comparing two or more objects that were found at the same site

Absolute Dating

measuring the amount of radioactive elements (carbon)

Archeologists

excavate sites that provide physical evidence of early human life, including artifacts and fossils.

Anthropologists

Study artifacts to determine culture – the way ancient peoples lived

Paleontologists

Study fossil remains to determine the physical characteristics of early humans and animals (looks)

Hominids

Early relatives to modern-day humans

List the Hominids in order… (oldest to present)

Australopithecus → Homo Habilis → Homo Erectus → Neanderthals → Homo Sapiens

What Hominid is known as “Southern Ape”

Australopithecus

Lived just in Southern Africa

Australopithecus

Opposable thumbs

Australopithecus

“Handy Man” or “Man of Skill”

Homo Habilis

Eastern and Southern Africa

Homo Habilis

Known as “Standing Man”

Homo Erectus

Northern, Eastern, Southern Africa and Western Asia

Homo Erectus

What tools do Homo Erectus use?

Acheulean stone tools

What are Acheulean stone tools?

Handaxes/cleavers

First human ancestor to use a basic language

Homo Erectus

Europe and Central Asia

Neanderthals

Used tools, clothing, shelters, and fire

Neanderthals

First recorded instance of burying dead with ornamental items

Neanderthals

What are Homo-Sapiens known as?

“Wise Man”

Hunter-gatherers

Homo-Sapiens

Language and cultures develop

Homo-Sapiens

Famous Hominid, Ardi. What are they known for.

Oldest known hominid fossils (4.4 mil years ago), ape-like and human-like traits.

Famous Hominid, Lucy. What are they known for.

Famous for the most complete and well-preserved early human ancestor fossils

What kind of hominid is Lucy?

Australopithecus

What kind of hominid is Adri

Ardipithecus

Famous Hominid, Otzi the Iceman. What are they known for.

Well-preserved 5,300-year-old mummy, (froze himself)

Hunter-gatherers

Who hunted animals and gathered wild plants for food.

Tools Hunter-gatherers used:

sharpened stones, hand axes, spears, knives

Humans invented and primarily used stone tools (in the name)

Stone Age

4 important factors in the Paleolithic Era:

• Caves/Huts

• Control Fire

• Acheulean tools

• Oral language & Cave Paintings

Oldowan tools

Stone that had been chipped to serve a purpose

Oral language & Cave Paintings are known as…

Lascaux

Migration

Movement from one location to another, a new permanent settlement.

People migrated because of the ____ age…

Ice Age

What is the Ice Age?

A time period with consistently freezing temperatures throughout the world

3 Reasons why people migrate…

~ Drier Climate caused plants to die out and animals migrate

~ Fewer plants and animals means for competition

~Humans have no choice but to move

What is Domestication?

Planting foods and breeding animals that are useful for humans

Hunting/gathering -> farming is called..?

Agricultural Revolution (or Neolithic Revolution)

Used slash/burn farming to make land suitable for farming

Agricultural Revolution (or Neolithic Revolution)

What is the Stonehenge known for?

Prehistoric monument in England, with purposes that are still unclear to historians today.

Neolithic Era -> Bronze Age

Stonehenge

What is the Catal Huyuk known for?

Modern-day Turkey, which is famous for its art and religious practices. Mud-brick houses.

What is Jericho known for? (and near which seas)

Prehistoric and current city near the Jordan River and Dead Sea, with its famous wall surrounding the area

Period after the Neolithic Era characterized by human use of bronze tools

Bronze Age

Which Era:

Developed Agriculture, Domesticated Animals, Used Advanced Tools Made Pottery, Developed Weaving skills, Evidence of specialized workers

Neolithic Era