Early Humans

Warm up Fire Tools Language Weapons Put these in order of importance (there is no right answer) EXPLAIN your reasoning.

Early Footprints Found In the 1970s, archaeologists Mary Leakey led a scientific expedition to Tanzania in East Africa. She was looking for clues about the origins of humanity 1978 – Leakey and her team found prehistoric footprints in volcanic ash. Footprints were made by australopithecines 3,600,000 YEARS AGO. Australopithecines are hominids – Humans and other creatures that walk upright.

What makes a human, a human?

The Discovery of Lucy U.S. anthropologist Donald Johanson and his team were searching for fossils in Ethiopia. (1,000 miles north of Leakey’s team) Johanson found a complete skeleton of an adult female hominid. (in your face, Leakey). Named her Lucy after the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” She lived 3.5 million years ago! The oldest hominid found so far!

Is it better to walk upright? Why?

Hominids Walk Upright Travel longer distances, spot threats, carry food and children. Australopithecines had also adopted the opposable thumb! Picking up small objects, making tools.

What do you think are some of the most basic, but important, achievements in human history?

The Stone Age Begins The invention of tools, mastery over fire, and the development of language are some of the most impressive achievements in human history. All of these occurred during the prehistoric period known as the Stone Age.

Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) lasted from 2. 5 million-8000 B. C. E Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) lasted from 2.5 million-8000 B.C.E. Ice Age! Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) began about 8000 B.C.E. Humans learned to polish stone tools, make pottery, grow crops, and raise animals.

Homo habilis may have used tools! Australopithecines eventually vanished off the face of the earth. New hominids appeared in East Africa about 2.5 million years ago – Homo habilis (man of skill). Used tools made out of lava rock. Cut meat and crack open bones.

How do tools in our lives help make survival easier?

Homo erectus develops technology Another hominid group appeared in East Africa 1.6 million years ago – Homo erectus (upright man). Some anthropologists believe Homo erectus was a more intelligent version of Homo habilis. Homo erectus utilized technology. Technology – ways of applying knowledge, tools, and inventions to meet needs.

Homo erectus were the first hominids to migrate out of Africa. They were the first to use fire. How does having control over fire help us survive? Homo erectus developed primitive language. How does language help us survive?

Reading Assignment Read pages 8-10 in your textbook and take notes!! This material will be tested.