1. 6th Grade UBD - Unit 2 - Rise of Human

2.  Analyzing Artifacts- Archaeologists use technology to study artifacts. Their discoveries may result in new evidence that modifies old theories about ancient humans.  Hominins- The lifespan of the hominins extends from 5.8 million years ago to the present. Hominins include a significant number of distinct species.  Habitat and Environment- Hominins survived changes in their environment by being adaptable. This allowed them to endure for millions of years.

3.  What kind of clues are left behind at a crime scene? What can we learn from those clues? What can we learn from clues left by people who have died thousands of years ago? (5 minutes)

4.  Early archaeologists often collected only the most valuable artifacts. They did not always keep good records or take good care of the site.  Today, archaeologists follow strict rules to preserve both artifacts and sites.  Archaeologists study the technology and culture of ancient civilizations.

5.  Archaeologists are social scientists who study how people lived in an earlier time.  They examine the remains of what those people made and used.  They are like detectives. They investigate the clues left behind and piece together the story of how ancient peoples lived.

6. Key Term Archaeologists- Social scientists who study how people lived in an earlier time.

7.  Many archaeologists today work for universities or museums.  Often archaeologists travel to the location where ancient people lived to search for artifacts— remains and objects.

8.  What archaeologists find provides them with information about what early life was like.  Archaeologists must carefully record and analyze the artifacts they find.  They then share this information with others.

9. Key Term Artifact- An object made by human beings; often refers to a primitive tool or other relic from an earlier period.

10.  Today, archaeology is a science, but it did not start out this way.  In the early 1900s, archaeologists were explorers.  Often, they focused on finding valuable items that could be sold.

11.  Early archaeologists did not always take the greatest of care with smaller, fragile artifacts that they believed to be less valuable. Many artifacts were destroyed  By the 1960s, archaeology had become a more exact science.

12. Key Term Dig Site- A place where an archaeological dig is going on.

13.  Archaeologists often search for years before they find a site to dig.  They look for elements that would help the creation of a civilization.  They search in places close to water and with good soil quality.  Sites of large cities or societies are likely to contain more artifacts.

14.  Fossils and other artifacts help to explain who lived in certain areas and when they lived there.  Old tools reveal information about the technological abilities of a people.  Sculpture, art, and pottery provide clues about ancient cultures and the people’s beliefs.

15. Key Term Fossil- The remains (or an impression) of a plant or animal that existed in the past geological age.

16. Key Term Culture- The attitudes and behavior that are characteristic of a particular social group or organization.

17.  Present-day archaeology has worldwide rules for digging.  Shovels and picks are used only for a small portion of the work.  Much more is done with much smaller instruments to avoid destroying anything.

18.  The found objects are also studied extensively.  Laboratory analysis is performed to see how old the material is.  Often scientists from other fields examine the artifacts, too. Their knowledge contributes information that the archaeologist might not have.

19.  Archaeologists use artifacts to learn about ancient people and cultures.  They draw conclusions from their research about the daily lives of ancient humans. They are particularly interested in the technology and culture of ancient civilizations.

20.  Each subsequent hominin increased in height and brain size.  Over time, hominins began walking on two feet instead of climbing.  Exploring hominins helps us understand more about modern humans. The discovery of Homo erectus solidified the theory that Africa is the birthplace of humanity.

21.  Looking at technology can tell us about the lifestyles of people. For example, consider the discovery of spears used by early humans.  These might suggest that the civilization was centered on hunting, or that the people faced threats from other people or wild animals.

22.  Later civilizations developed farming tools like plows.  The discovery of these tools is a sign that people grew crops.  They were settled down in one location, not constantly moving in search of food.

23.  In 1992, archaeologists found a molar tooth in Ethiopia.  This tooth was unlike any remain that had been seen before.  Archaeologists believed that they had found a new kind of hominin.

24. Key Term Hominin- Are humans and their early ancestors.

25.  The ancient skeleton was thought to be more than five million years old.  Archaeologists called the species Ardipithecus, and nicknamed the skeleton “Ardi.”  Archaeologists concluded that Ardi was about 4 feet tall and weighed 110 pounds.

26.  Archaeologists also determined that she was she walked on two feet.  She also climbed trees and could grasp with her feet.  She did not walk on her knuckles like an ape, nor did she climb as easily as a chimpanzee.

27.  There are many species of hominins.  Modern humans are the only ones that survive today.  However, all hominins are part of the hominid family, which also includes gorillas and chimpanzees.

28.  Hominins had to cope with intense weather shifts that lasted for years. These conditions affected where they lived.  Larger brain size in later hominins allowed them to process information and adapt to the changing environments.  Later hominins learned to make tools, find shelter, and control fire. These developments helped them to survive harsh environments and move to new locations.

29.  Scientists can determine the climate, environment, and habitats of hominins millions of years ago.  Hominins were very adaptable.  They endured for several million years during unpredictable environmental change.

30.  The unpredictable weather played a large role in where early hominins chose to settle.  Hominins lived by sources of food and water.  If the environment changed, hominins had to move. Otherwise, they might die. They avoided places with few resources..

31.  Much evidence of the earliest hominins has been found in Africa.  Africa provided wooded areas and grassland where animals grazed.  Plants, fruits, insects, and small animals were plentiful.

32.  The ability to adapt was necessary for survival.  Caves protected them from the elements. Their shelters also provided a place to store food.  Eventually, hominins learned to use fire. These developments enabled some to move to regions in Asia and Europe where they would not have survived before.