Preview: Take 5 minutes

On a blank sheet of paper, quickly chart your

family tree

Begin with the names of your mother and

father’s parents, your grandparents, and work

down to you). Off from each of their names,

jot a few characteristics of these people.

Below your name, list characteristics you share

with them. Here’s my example:

Dr. East’s Family Tree

Part 1, Unit 1: Detecting the Human Family Tree

Dr. East, 9/5/2013

Pre-History and the Stone Age Pre-history is that history that

pre-dates the written word. most of our history was part of

the Paleolithic age (literally “old age of stone”, 2.5 million years ago (mya) to 8,000 B.C. during this time human like

creatures evolved from some sort of ancestor that predated us and chimpanzees

Hominids were various kinds of human ancestors that walked upright. ▪ invented tools, ▪ learned how to make fire, and▪ developed oral languages and

spiritual beliefs

Hominids Developed in East Africa from a Common Ancestor http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-family-tree

African Apes and Hominids Shared a Common AncestorSource: http://isombiology.wikispaces.com/10.1+Primates

Hominid and Human Migration from Africa

Occurred between 100,000 – 400,000 years ago

Essential Questions about our Pre-Historic Ancestors:

1. By what methods do people understand what happened in pre-historic times (i.e., the time before the written word)?

2. How do we as humans (homo sapiens) compare to other types of hominid relatives?

3. How did physical geography influence the lives of early humans?

4. What were the characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies?

Pre-History’s Detectives: Anthropologist Anthropologist = scientist

that that studies anthropology

Anthropology = the scientific study of the origin, the behavior, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans (can be paleoanthropology or modern anthropology)

“Paleo” simply means old What is “culture”?

Pre-History’s Detectives: Archaeologist Archaeologist = scientist and historian that studies

archaeology Archaeology = is the study of human activity in the past, is

often described as sub-discipline of anthropology excavation (digging of sites), examining artifacts, architecture, bones, and whatever other

material evidence is left over that may provide clues to past cultures

What are some examples of artifacts? Not specifically the study of bones, but scientists will study

bones in addition to other things like pottery or tools, etc. radiometric dating can be used study materials left at

excavation sites, ex. carbon can be radiometrically dated Carbon Dating Explained by Instant Egghead (You tube)

Pre-History’s Detective: Paleontologist

Paleontologist = scientist that studies paleontology

Paleontology = the scientific study of pre-historic or ancient life

often people look for fossils of ancient animals… these are the bone scientists

focus is on animals, plants, and geological surroundings NOT people

For both archaeologists and paleontologists, work done outside and in laboratory

Pre-History’s Detectives: Geneticist

Geneticist = is a biologist who studies genetics

Genetics = the science of genes, heredity, and variation in humans and other organisms.

They try to examine DNA What would a

paleogeneticist do?

Video on “Ardi”

Ardipethecus Ramidus, oldest most complete skeleton of a hominid

Scientists have found other bits and pieces that are older but this is the most complete

Video is from 2009 narrated by Mike Rowe (from reality show Dirty Jobs, video on Discovery Education)

Segment from beginning thru. 23 min. in and then section about what did Ardi looked like.