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

2. Preview
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. Reach Into Your Background
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. Partner Activity
Work with a neighbor and compare your answer with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

5. Key Ideas- Analyzing Artifacts
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.

6. Archaeologists as Detectives
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.

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

8. Anthropologists
Video- Anthropologists

9. The Study of Artifacts
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.

10. The Study of Artifacts
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.

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

12. A Developing Science
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.

13. A Developing Science
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.

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

15. Tools of the Craft
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.

16. Tools of the Craft
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.

17. Neanderthal Tools
Video- Neanderthal Tools

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

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

20. Careful Study 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.

21. Research and Teamwork 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.

22. Conclusion
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.

23. Key Ideas- Hominins
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.

24. Technology
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.

25. Technology 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.

26. Hominin Prehistory and Hominins
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.

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

28. Hominin Prehistory and Hominins
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.

29. Hominin Prehistory and Hominins
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.

30. Species of Hominins 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.

31. Key Ideas- Hominin Habitats
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.

32. Hominin Habitats
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.

33. Hominin Habitats
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..

34. Location of Earliest Hominins
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.

35. Adapting to New Environments
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.

36. Independent Activity
What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)

37. Partner Activity
Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)