Aim: What makes us human? Do Now: What makes us human? NY State Standards 2 Common Core RS 1, 2, 7, WS 1, LSS 4

I Evolution and Human Origins A) Charles Darwin wrote On the Origins of Species, published in 1859. His theory of evolution asserts that “all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce.” (Webster) B) Based on archaeological and DNA evidence, scientists have concluded that modern Homo sapiens and living primates (chimpanzees, gorillas, etc.) both evolved from a common ancestor 5 – 8 million years ago.

II What was the Paleolithic?

What was the Paleolithic Continued… A) The Paleolithic “Old Stone Age” lasted approximately from 2.5 million years ago to 8,000 BCE. During the Paleolithic, hominids (human-like ancestors) developed fire and stone tools.

What was the Paleolithic continued… B) Our earliest human ancestors (hominids) had traits of both primates and humans. For most of the Paleolithic, more than one species of hominid existed at the same time! C) Most of the earliest archaeological evidence found comes from the Great Rift Valley in Eastern Africa.

New Discovery! Composite reconstruction of 300,000-year-old fossils from the site of Jebel Irhoud in Morocco. Researchers say the fossils are the earliest known remains of Homo sapiens. Credit: Philipp Gunz, MPI EVA Leipzig

What was the Paleolithic continued… D) Hominids (as well as the first modern humans) survived by living in caves or building simple shelters. They made stone tools, and hunted and gathered food. They were nomadic. Modern day Bushmen live in the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Many still live a hunting and gathering lifestyle.

How Did Humans Evolve? Continued… Lucy was 3.2 million years old, 3 feet 6 inches tall, and walked on two legs! She was discovered by Donald Johansen, a paleoanthropologist. Ardi, a 4.4 million year old female from Ethiopia

Donald Johansen and Lucy When I realized, in 1978, that Lucy did represent a new species of human ancestor, and that I had an opportunity to name this new species, I realized this was a revolutionary step in understanding human origins. - Donald Johansen

Meet Our Relatives! Continued… These hominids footprints became preserved in volcanic ash 3.6 million years ago! It was found by Mary Leaky in Tanzania. Homo erectus lived between 1.8 and 1.3 million years ago. They were the first hominids to make (or at least use) fire!

How Did Humans Evolve? Continued… E) Neanderthals lived between 130,000 and 35,000 years ago. They made tools that were similar to those of modern humans! However, they were replaced by Cro Magnons (us). In 2010 scientists discovered that Neanderthals interbred with modern humans! Neanderthal DNA make up 1-4% of the DNA in modern people from Eurasia. Neanderthal Stone Tools

Meet Our Relatives! Continued… This flute was found at a Neanderthal site in Slovenia. It is carved from a bear’s femur, and is dated between 43,000 and 82,000 years old. This is the oldest musical instrument ever found.

Cro Magnon vs. Neanderthal Skull

How Did Humans Evolve? Continued… F) Approximately 250,000 years ago, Cro Magnons (modern Homo sapiens) emerged in Eastern Africa. According to the Out of Africa Theory, they migrated out of Africa into Europe and Asia. By 35,000 years ago, the Cro Magnons (us) replaced the Neanderthals. This is the reconstructed face of a Cro Magnon man who lived in Eastern Europe 35,000 years ago. How do these Cro Magnon tools differ from Neanderthal tools?

III Achievements of the Cro Magnons A) Cro Magnons buried their dead. B) They created art. Venus of Willendorf 22,000 – 24,000 BCE, Austria

Achievements of the Cro Magnons Continued… The Lascaux Caves in southwestern France. (15,000 BCE)

Paleolithic Mammoth Bone Dwelling, Ukraine

Achievements of Cro Magnons continued… C) They survived.

Key Vocabulary Paleolithic Homo erectus Archaeology Neanderthal Great Rift Valley Cro Magnon Donald Johansen Homo sapien Mary Leaky Lascaux Caves Hominid Hunter Gatherer Primate Nomad Ardi Venus of Willendorf Lucy