Hunter-Gatherer Societies Chapter 1: Section 2

Standards H-SS 6.1.1 Describe the hunter-gatherer societies, including the development of tools and the use of fire. E-LA Reading 6.2.1 Identify the structural features of popular media (e.g., newspapers, magazines, online information) and use the features to obtain information.

Anticipatory Set

Objective You will read about the societies that hunter-gatherers formed and developments that improved their chances for survival.

Language of the Discipline Hunter-gatherers Innovation Nomad Culture Neanderthals Homo sapiens

Hunter-Gatherers (Input) Archaeologists believe that human beings first appeared in Africa millions of years ago. The early humans were hunter-gatherers who lived by hunting small animals and gathering plants.

How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived (Input) Archaeologists know very little about hunter- gatherers like Lucy. All they know is that life was difficult and groups appeared for a time and died out. The Development of Tools About 2.5 million years ago early humans began making tools out of stone. This new way of doing things called innovation started the Paleolithic Era or the Old Stone Age

The Development of Tools (Input) At first tools were simple, split stones which were used for cutting, chopping, and scrapping. Overtime tool makers became more skillful and started making thinner, sharper blades. These thinner tolls made spears and arrows. Tool makers also began using bones and antlers, and some added decoration and color to their work.

The Use of Fire (Input) The Stone Age lasted about 2.5 million years ago to 10,000 years ago. During this period they learned how to use fire With fire people could use light, cook, and use flames to scare off dangerous animals It also allowed them to live in places where it would have been too cold to survive.

Wandering Bands (Input) Stone Age hunter-gatherers lived in small groups or bands. Bands had ten or twelve adults and their children. Most of these people were called nomads who moved from place to place with the seasons. They used caves and shelters and sometimes built tents to stay in when moving from campsite to campsite after gathering food.

Wandering Bands (Input) Hunter-gatherers lived a simple culture, or way of life. Most of their time was spent looking for food. Women usually gathered fruit, grains, seeds, and nuts. They collected eggs, honey, and caught small animals like lizards or fish. For medicine they also picked herbs. Men started off hunting small animals and when their skills improved they caught large animals such as deer.

Neanderthals (Input) A late Stone Age group called the Neanderthals appeared in Europe and parts of Asia 200,000 years ago. Their name comes from the Neander Valley in present-day Germany, where their fossil remains were first found. First people to bury their dead. Buried the body with food and tools. Believed in life after death.

Modern Humans (Input) Last group of humans. Scientific name for this group is Homo sapiens which means wise people. First modern humans Just like the Neanderthals but were taller and more athletic. They had a powerful new tool-complex language.

Languages (Input) Modern humans could better communicate their ideas. They could organize a hunt or pass knowledge to the younger ones in the group. Words and symbols gave them an advantage to survive. For thousands of years Neanderthals and Modern Humans lived near each other, but the Neanderthals eventually disappeared.

Check for Understanding Please determine the BEST answer for the following question. Please write your answer on your white boards and wait for the teacher’s signal. On the teacher’s signal, hold up your white boards.

Checking for Understanding 1. What new skills did the early humans develop during the Stone Age? The Early Humans learned how to use stone tools and how to use fire.

Checking for Understanding 2. What new advantage did modern humans develop? They learned complex language skills

Checking for Understanding 3. When did modern humans appear? 100,000 years ago.

Guided Practice/Independent Practice Complete questions 1 - 2 on the reading comprehension worksheet. Raise your hand and wait to get stamped. If you received an “R” go to the back table with Ms. Graham. Independent Practice Once you have been stamped moved to independent practice and complete numbers 3 and 4 on the reading comprehension worksheet. Homework Note-taking guide on the reverse side.