1. Foundations of Civilization
Section 1: Understanding our Past
Witness History Audio: A Clue From the Past
Studying the Historical Past
Historians use artifacts and written records to learn about the past. They must determine the authenticity and reliability of evidence. They also need to examine their own biases and try to remain objective.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was remarkable about the footprints that Leakey found in Tanzania?” (They were 3.7 million years old. It is rare to find such old evidence of the past, especially something like footprints, which usually get wiped away quickly.)
When showing Color Transparency 1, ask “What did Johanson speculate about the relationship of the bones he found?” (He thought the bones might be from the same, very ancient skeleton.) “Why was Johanson so astonished by this possibility?” (No complete skeleton that old had ever been found.)
When showing Color Transparency 2, point out that many of the remains come from small regions in Africa. Ask students to speculate why.
Note Taking Transparency 49A
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2. Foundations of Civilization
Section 1: Understanding our Past
Investigating Prehistory
Many anthropologists study prehistory. They try to learn about the origins and development of people and their societies. Archaeologists are anthropologists who focus on material remains to learn about life in other times and places.
Discoveries in Africa and Beyond
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was remarkable about the footprints that Leakey found in Tanzania?” (They were 3.7 million years old. It is rare to find such old evidence of the past, especially something like footprints, which usually get wiped away quickly.)
When showing Color Transparency 1, ask “What did Johanson speculate about the relationship of the bones he found?” (He thought the bones might be from the same, very ancient skeleton.) “Why was Johanson so astonished by this possibility?” (No complete skeleton that old had ever been found.)
When showing Color Transparency 2, point out that many of the remains come from small regions in Africa. Ask students to speculate why.
Early hominids have been discovered in Africa, Asia and Europe. Bones from members of the earliest group, called australopithecines, have been found in Africa. Also found there are Homo habilis, which were hominids who made stone tools. (continued on next slide)
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3. Foundations of Civilization
Section 1: Understanding our Past
Discoveries in Africa and Beyond continued
The bones of Homo erectus, a human who walked fully upright, have been found in Asia and Europe. They may have migrated from Africa. Neanderthals and the ancestors of modern humans—both belonging to the category of Homo sapiens—once lived at the same time, but the Neanderthals died out.
Color Transparency 1: Piecing Together Lucy’s Skeleton
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “What was remarkable about the footprints that Leakey found in Tanzania?” (They were 3.7 million years old. It is rare to find such old evidence of the past, especially something like footprints, which usually get wiped away quickly.)
When showing Color Transparency 1, ask “What did Johanson speculate about the relationship of the bones he found?” (He thought the bones might be from the same, very ancient skeleton.) “Why was Johanson so astonished by this possibility?” (No complete skeleton that old had ever been found.)
When showing Color Transparency 2, point out that many of the remains come from small regions in Africa. Ask students to speculate why.
Witness History Audio: Donald Johanson
Color Transparency 2: Locations of Hominid Finds in Africa
Note Taking Transparency 49B
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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4. Foundations of Civilizations: Section 1
Note Taking Transparency 49A
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5. Foundations of Civilizations: Section 1
Color Transparency 1: Piecing Together Lucy’s Skeleton
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6. Foundations of Civilizations: Section 1
Color Transparency 2: Locations of Hominid Finds in Africa
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7. Foundations of Civilizations: Section 1
Note Taking Transparency 49B
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8. Foundations of Civilizations: Section 1
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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