UNCOVERING PREHISTORY:METHODOLOGY

Prehistory

The span of human existence in which writing did not exist From the first

appearance of early man to roughly 5,000 years ago

Without written records, we must use other evidence to learn about this time of history

Artifacts

Human-made objects that help archaeologists study prehistoric societies

NOT naturally existing remains like skeletons

Tools, jewelry, building ruins, pottery or earthenware

Archaeology

Scientists that use objects and clues left behind by long ago societies to piece together an idea of how these people lived

“detective-like” work assess the evidence before them to make valid assumptions

Look at the tools, ruins, personal objects, skeletons, soil

Make deductions as to the physical appearance of these “prehistoric” people, as well as when they existed, cultural values (traces of religious worship, style of dress, food they ate, etc.)

Anthropology

The study of culture- or the aspects of a society that gives them a unique way of living Food choices, style of dress, religious

values, family systems, laws

Paleontologist

Study fossils to get a better understanding of prehistoric people

Fossils are small fragments of bodily remains preserved in rock or soil Fragments of teeth, skull,

bones

-scientific methods of tracing, or “dating”, a fossil aka, how old is this thing??

Technology

Using ideas to come up with solutions to the problems in front of us

Usually in the form of tools or inventions that make life easier for us

Today examples? Prehistoric examples?

HOMO NADELI (AS OF SEPT. 2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vegzmFbHMeU