1. Mr. Cotignola 9/24/09 Aim: How does fossil evidence show that the earliest humans originated in Africa? Do Now: Why are scientists who study pre history important in providing knowledge about the past? Explain Standards: 2 and 3

2. Types of Scientist who help us understand history Archaeologist: a scientist who learn about early people by excavating and studying the traces of early settlements. An archaeologist will study artifacts (remains such as tools, jewelry, and other human made objects). Anthropologist: study culture, or a peoples unique way of life. Paleontologists: study fossils in order to see how people lived.

3. The Finding of “Lucy” The discovery of fossil remains of a hominid that lived in what is now Ethiopia between 5.2 and 5.8 million years ago are the subject of two articles in the July 12 issue of Nature. Hominid refers to the family of primates that includes all species on the "human" side of the evolutionary tree after the split from chimpanzees. Researchers found the fossil remains of several of the ancient individuals along the foothills of the western margin of the southern Afar Rift, located in Ethiopia's Middle Awash study area. where the 3.2-million-year-old "Lucy" fossils were discovered nearly 30 years ago.

4. Australopithecines: 4 million to 1 million BC Opposable thumbs First humanlike creature to walk upright Found in southern and eastern Africa

6. Homo habilis: 2.5 to 1.5 million B.C. Found in East Africa First to make stone tools. Butchers

8. Homo erectus: 1.6 million to 30,000 B.C. Found in Africa, Asia and Europe First to use fire Have a spoken language migrate

9. Neanderthal: 200,000 to 30,000 B.C Found in Europe and Southwest Asia Heavy slanted brows Well developed muscles Built temporary shelters

10. So easy a caveman can do it.

11. Cro-Magnon: 40,000 to 8,000 B.C. Found in Europe Fully modern humans Created Art

13. Paleolithic Age: 2.5 Million to 8000 B.C. Polished stone tools Made pottery Grew crops Raised animals

14. Neolithic Age: 8000 to 3000 B.C. Polished stone tools Made pottery Grew crops Raised animals

15. Task Can you imagine life without your thumbs? Attempt to do several activities without using your thumbs: ex. Tie your shoes, comb your hair, write with a pen or pencil etc… How does this make you feel?