Name:
WHII.02: Prehistory and Early Humans
Date:
Period:
WHI.2
Notes
The student will demonstrate knowledge of early development of humankind from the Paleolithic Era to the
agricultural revolution by
a) explaining the impact of geographic environment on hunter-gatherer societies;
b) listing characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies, including their use of tools and fire;
c) describing technological and social advancements that gave rise to stable communities;
d) explaining how archaeological discoveries are changing present-day knowledge of early peoples.
WHI.02: Early Humans 11
Essential Understandings of Early Humans
1.
The life of early hunter-gatherer societies was shaped by their physical environment.
2.
Early human societies, through the development of culture, began the process of
overcoming the limits set by the physical environment.
3.
The beginning of settled agriculture (including permanent settlements) was a major step in
the advance of civilization.
4.
Archaeologists continue to find and interpret evidence of early humans and their lives.
5.
Rivers/waterways were extremely important to early civilizations.
Essential Questions about Early Humans
1.
More than anything else, what shaped the lives of early hunter-gatherer societies?
2.
What were the key characteristics of societies of the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)?
3.
What were the major characteristics of the Neolithic Era (New Stone Age)?
4.
Why were river valleys important to the development civilization?
5.
How did the beginning of agriculture and the domestication of animals promote the rise of
settled communities?
Why do I need to know this?
1.
Early humans’ discoveries helped them survive, grow in numbers, and spread across the
globe to inhabit the areas we live in today.
2.
New methods for obtaining food and the development of technology laid the foundations for
modern civilizations.
3.
Contemporary civilizations share the same characteristics typical of ancient civilizations.
4.
All major modern cities are located on a river or other body of water.
Notes
WHI.02: Early Humans 12
WHI – Prehistory & Early Humans
I.
Scientists search for Human Origins
1. How is Prehistory defined?
2. What is the job of an archaeologist?
3. What are examples of artifacts?
4. How is the age of artifacts determined?
5. What are examples of archaeological digs?
6. What does an anthropologist do?
7. What does a paleontologist do?
8. How do all of these scientists work together?
9. What is a Hominid
10. Why is Mary Leaky important?
11. Why is Donald Johanson important?
12. What has been discovered since “Lucy”?
Notes
WHI.02: Early Humans 13
II. The Five Hominids
1. Australopithecus Afarensis
a. Means:
b. Time Period:
c.
Important because:
d. What did Australopithecus Afarensis look like?
e. What capabilities did they have?
2. Homo Habilis
a. Means:
b. Time Period:
c.
Important because:
d. What did Homo Habilis look like?
e. What capabilities did they have?
3. Homo Erectus
a. Means:
b. Time Period:
c.
Important because:
d. What did Homo Erectus look like?
Notes
WHI.02: Early Humans 14
e. What capabilities did they have?
4. Homo Sapien Neanderthal
a. Means:
b. Time Period:
c.
Important because:
d. What did Neanderthal look like?
e. What capabilities did they have?
5. Homo Sapien Sapien/ Cro-Magnon
a. Means:
b. Time Period:
c.
Important because:
d. What did Cro-Magnon look like?
e. What capabilities did they have?
Notes
WHI.02: Early Humans 15
Notes
WHI.02: Early Humans 16
important firsts
found where?
time frame
Australopithecus
Homo Habilis
Paleolithic Age
Homo Erectus
Evolution
Neanderthal
Mesolithic Age
Homo Sapiens
Cro-Magnon
Glossary WHI.1
Directions: Fill in the definition for the term listed. Then, in the box on the right, you have to draw a picture OR
write the definition in your own words OR write a sentence using the word that demonstrates its meeting.
Prehistory
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Archaeologist
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Anthropologist
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Paleontologist
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Hominid
.
Processing (Illustration, Summarization, or Sentence)
.
.
..
Notes
WHI.02: Early Humans 17
Summary
DIRECTIONS: Choose only one of the following:
a) write a summary (25-75 words) of what you believe was the most important aspect of the notes/lecture
b) write what you believe to be the most interesting or memorable part of the notes/lecture (25-75 words)
c) draw something that symbolizes the notes/lecture to you (has to be different than your title page)
Notes
WHI.02: Early Humans 18