1. GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY 6th grade Social Studies
PREHISTORY
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
6th grade
Social Studies

2. Key Terms History – recorded events of people
Prehistory – before history; period of time in the past before writing was invented
Archaeologists – examine objects to learn about past people and cultures
Oral Traditions – stories passed down by word of mouth

3. Solving a Mystery
How can we learn about the people who lived before written history? (prehistory)
Archaeologists

4. How are Archaeologists able to determine what time period an object is from?
Radiocarbon Dating

5. Radiocarbon Dating
All plants and animals have tiny amounts of a substance called radiocarbon in their bodies.
After they die, the radiocarbon changes into another substance.
Scientists know how long this change takes.
They have tests that measure how much radiocarbon is left in ancient wood, grass, cloth, and flesh.
Scientists can then calculate the age of the material.

6. The Ice Man Lived about 5,000 years ago (3,000 B.C.)
Clothes made of finely stitched animal skins
Proved that Ice Man came from community with people skilled at sewing
Skilled outdoorsman: wood frame pack, a bow, a flint dagger
Copper ax: Copper first used 4,000 B.C.

9. Oral Traditions
Important for historians to know so they can figure out what kind values were important in particular societies
Family History
Heroes
Past Events

10. Linking Geography and History
We need to understand WHY historic events took place
How does Geography affect History?
For example:
Ancient Egypt was able to be successful because of the Nile River

11. ANCIENT EGYPT
Nile River

12. Geography and History Example: Terrace farming in China
Griots from Mali in Africa
Griots only job is oral storytelling
(singing)

14. Activity (Homework)
You may know stories that have been passed on by oral tradition. Ask a family member or teacher to share a story with you. The story should be about an important event in the person’s life. Moving to a new country or home, the birth of a baby, or a move to a new school are all events that people share stories about. Write the words down. Try to write so the story sounds as if someone is speaking.

15. Activity (Homework) Due Tuesday, September 11th
You can write your story or you can type your story and print it out
Your story should be a minimum of 10 sentences

16. QUIZ Get out a piece of paper
Write your name at the top (first and last)
Number each question

17. Explain the difference between history and prehistory.
Question #1
Explain the difference between history and prehistory.

18. What does an Archaeologist do?
Question #2
What does an Archaeologist do?

19. Why is the Ice Man important to us?
Question #3
Why is the Ice Man important to us?

20. Describe how Geography can affect history?
Question #4
Describe how Geography can affect history?

21. Question #5
What clue about the Ice Man was a determining factor to calculate his age?

22. THE END