 starter activity What sort of information can skeletons tell us about the health of ordinary people in the past?

Why has this skull got a hole in the top?

How healthy were pre- historic people? To identify the ways prehistoric people explained and treated diseases To compare life in prehistoric times with surviving ancient tribes today  Learning objectives

 Your task What do we mean by the terms ‘Ancient history’ and ‘Prehistoric’? Put these definitions into your glossary What do we mean by the terms ‘Ancient history’ and ‘Prehistoric’? Put these definitions into your glossary Study the information and pictures on p16-17 and complete the chart your teacher provides. Study the information and pictures on p16-17 and complete the chart your teacher provides.  Extension. Note down how a prehistoric person might have treated these complaints: broken arm, stomach ache, headache  Extension. Note down how a prehistoric person might have treated these complaints: broken arm, stomach ache, headache

 Your task Can you think of any ancient tribes which have continued to the present? Read about these tribes on p Can you think of any ancient tribes which have continued to the present? Read about these tribes on p Note down at least 2 ways they treat illnesses & injuries that have a natural and a supernatural cause. Note down at least 2 ways they treat illnesses & injuries that have a natural and a supernatural cause.  Extension. How useful is it to compare prehistoric tribes with these tribes?  Extension. How useful is it to compare prehistoric tribes with these tribes?

Indigenous tribes Natural illnesses – e.g. cuts & breaks Natural illnesses – e.g. cuts & breaks Cuts Sphagnum moss Cuts Sphagnum moss Broken bones – mud, clay or animal fat bound with animal skins, feathers or tree bark Broken bones – mud, clay or animal fat bound with animal skins, feathers or tree bark Colds & coughs – tea tree oil Colds & coughs – tea tree oil Tea tree

Supernatural causes – evil spirits, angry gods Supernatural causes – evil spirits, angry gods Medicine man Medicine man Amulets Amulets Prayers & chants Prayers & chants Trepanning Trepanning Horseshoe & rabbit’s foot – modern ‘lucky’ charms

 Your task The makers of ‘Tribal Wives’ want to make a similar programme about life in a prehistoric village. Make a short 1 minute documentary about health & medicine in an imaginary prehistoric settlement. The makers of ‘Tribal Wives’ want to make a similar programme about life in a prehistoric village. Make a short 1 minute documentary about health & medicine in an imaginary prehistoric settlement.

Good start Getting better Star student! You have made a limited number of references to prehistoric health problems & cures You partly explain what life was like Most participate You refer to a range of treatments & common health problems You broadly explain how prehistoric people treated the sick All participate You refer in detail to treatments & cures, giving precise examples You give a full picture of prehistoric medicine All participate actively

 Homework Produce a health & safety poster for the people of a prehistoric village. It should include Produce a health & safety poster for the people of a prehistoric village. It should include Pictures and labels explaining the different types of illnesses and health problems Pictures and labels explaining the different types of illnesses and health problems Natural & supernatural cures that could be used Natural & supernatural cures that could be used Who was available to cure the sick Who was available to cure the sick

 Extension task Investigate another ‘indigenous tribe’ such as the Maori and find out how they have treated illnesses and disease Investigate another ‘indigenous tribe’ such as the Maori and find out how they have treated illnesses and disease Make a list of modern- day charms used around the world Make a list of modern- day charms used around the world

Plenary Who treated the sick in prehistoric times? Who treated the sick in prehistoric times? Give examples of treatments of injuries or disease? Give examples of treatments of injuries or disease? What did they think caused the diseases? What did they think caused the diseases? How can we find out about prehistoric medicine? How can we find out about prehistoric medicine?  Extension: what are the strengths and weaknesses of comparing ancient and modern tribes?  Extension: what are the strengths and weaknesses of comparing ancient and modern tribes?