Aim: Would I have liked to have lived during the Paleolithic? Do Now: What does it mean to be human? NY State Standards 2 Common Core RS 1, 2, 7, WS 1, LSS 4

I How Did Humans Evolve? A) Evolution, discovered, by Charles Darwin, is the development of simple to more complex life forms, and has been proven with fossils, DNA, and scientific experiments. Evolution is based on science. B) However, some people believe in creationism (the belief that the world was created by a supernatural power). Creationism is based on faith. Is it possible to believe in both evolution and creationism? C) Millions of years ago, humans shared a common ancestor with primates (apes, chimpanzees…). Over time, our human ancestors evolved separately from the primates.

How Did Humans Evolve? Continued… D) Our earliest human ancestors (hominids) had traits of both primates and humans. E) Most of the earliest archaeological evidence found comes from the Great Rift Valley in Eastern Africa. F) The oldest hominid found (so far) is nicknamed Ardi, a 4.4 million year old female from Ethiopia! She was 110 lbs and 4ft tall.

How Did Humans Evolve? Continued… G) Lucy, named for a Beatles song, is 3.2 million years old. She was 3 feet 6 inches tall, and walked on two legs! She was discovered by Donald Johansen, a famous paleoanthropologist. Australopithecus afarensis “Lucy” “When I realized, in 1978, that Lucy did represent a new species of human ancestor, and that I had an opportunity to name this new species, I realized this was a revolutionary step in understanding human origins. - Donald Johansen

Footprints of our Ancestors These hominids footprints became preserved in volcanic ash 3.6 million years ago! It was found by Mary Leaky in Tanzania. H) Homo erectus lived between 1.8 and 1.3 million years ago. They were the first hominids to make (or at least use) fire! How did the ability to make fire change human history?

How Did Humans Evolve? Continued… I) Neanderthals lived between 130,000 and 35,000 years ago. They made tools that were similar to those of modern humans! However, they “disappeared” and were replaced by Cro Magnons (us). In 2010 scientists discovered that Neanderthals interbred with modern humans! Neanderthal DNA make up 1-4% of the DNA in modern people from Eurasia. Therefore, did the Neanderthals really disappear? This Neanderthal flute is the oldest musical instrument ever found! Neanderthal Stone Tools

How Did Humans Evolve? Continued… How do these Cro Magnon tools differ from Neanderthal tools? J) Approximately 250,000 years ago, Cro Magnons (modern Homo sapiens) emerged in Eastern Africa. According to the Out of Africa Theory, they migrated out of Africa into Europe and Asia. By 35,000 years ago, the Cro Magnons (us) replaced the Neanderthals. This is the reconstructed face of a Cro Magnon man who lived in Eastern Europe 35,000 years ago.

The Out of Africa Theory: This is how most archaeologists believe the first modern humans (Cro Magnons) left Africa and populated Eurasia. Where on this map did the first modern humans come from?

II What was life like for our earliest ancestors?

What was life like for our earliest ancestors? Continued… A) Our earliest hominid ancestors to Cro Magnons (the earliest modern humans) lived during the Paleolithic. B) Our ancestors survived by living in caves or building simple shelters. They were nomadic hunter and gatherers. Modern day Bushmen live in the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Many still live a hunting and gathering lifestyle. The Paleolithic “Old Stone Age” lasted from 4.5+ million years ago to 8000 BCE. This was an era in human history when our ancestors used stone tools. Nomads move from place to place. Why would Paleolithic people need to move around?

III Achievements of the Cro Magnons A)Cro Magnons buried their dead. B)They created art. Why were these skeletons buried with necklaces? What do you think the purpose of this statue was? Venus of Willendorf 22,000 – 24,000 BCE, Austria

Achievements of the Cro Magnons Continued… The Lascaux Caves in southwestern France. (15,000 BCE) What do you think the purpose was for producing these paintings inside a cave?

Achievements of Cro Magnons continued… C) They survived.

Summary Questions 1.How did our earliest ancestors evolve? You can describe it or draw a diagram. 2.What was life like in the Paleolithic? How did fire change our ancestors lives? 3.What is the difference between evolution and creationism? 4.Would you consider Neanderthals to be fully human? Why or why not? 5.Why did Cro Magnons bury their dead and create art?

Key Vocabulary Archaeology Ardi Cro Magnon Paleolithic Great Rift Valley Hominid Homo erectus Homo sapiens Hunter Gatherer Donald Johansen Lascaux Caves Mary Leaky Lucy Neanderthal Nomad Venus of Willendorf