6th Grade UBD - Unit 2 - Rise of Human

6th Grade UBD - Unit 2 - Rise of Human
Rise of Human
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.
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)
Partner Activity
 Work with a
neighbor and
compare your
answer with theirs.
What things are
the same and what
things are
different? (3
minutes)
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.
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.
Key Term
Archaeologists-
Social scientists
who study how
people lived in an
earlier time.
Anthropologists
Video- Anthropologists
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.
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.
Key Term
Artifact- An
object made by
human beings;
often refers to a
primitive tool or
other relic from
an earlier period.
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.
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.

Key Term
Dig Site- A place

where an
archaeological dig
is going on.
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.
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.
Neanderthal Tools
Video- Neanderthal Tools
Key Term
Fossil- The
remains (or an
impression) of a
plant or animal
that existed in the
past geological
age.
Key Term
Culture- The
attitudes and
behavior that are
characteristic of a
particular social
group or
organization.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Key Term
Hominin- Are
humans and their
early ancestors.
 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.
 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.
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.
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.
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.
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..

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.
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.
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)
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)

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6th Grade UBD - Unit 2 - Rise of Human

artifacts. Their discoveries may result in new evidence that

years ago to the present. Hominins include a significant number of

environment by being adaptable. This allowed them to endure for

 What kind of clues are left

behind at a crime scene?

 Early archaeologists often collected only the most

valuable artifacts. They did not always keep good

both artifacts and sites.

Archaeologists are social scientists who

study how people lived in an earlier

those people made and used.

investigate the clues left behind and

piece together the story of how ancient

 Many archaeologists today

 What archaeologists find

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

become a more exact science.

Dig Site- A place

 Archaeologists often search for

water and with good soil quality.

are likely to contain more

 Fossils and other artifacts help to

 Present-day archaeology has

 The found objects are also studied

 Archaeologists use artifacts to

 Each subsequent hominin increased in height and brain

modern humans. The discovery of Homo erectus solidified

 Looking at technology can tell us

Later civilizations developed

farming tools like plows.

is a sign that people grew

one location, not constantly

 In 1992, archaeologists found

a molar tooth in Ethiopia.

remain that had been seen

they had found a new kind of

 The ancient skeleton was

 Archaeologists also determined

 There are many species of

Hominins had to cope with intense weather shifts that lasted

for years. These conditions affected where they lived.

information and adapt to the changing environments.

control fire. These developments helped them to survive

 Scientists can determine the

climate, environment, and

habitats of hominins millions of

years during unpredictable

 The unpredictable weather played

a large role in where early hominins

hominins had to move. Otherwise,

they might die. They avoided

places with few resources..

 Much evidence of the earliest

elements. Their shelters also provided