Prehistory The time before the written word.
How do we find our past?
How do we find our past?
Toumai_Skull.asf (3:28)
Methods of Dating
Simple Methods of Dating Stratigraphy, Tree Rings, Road Cuts
Radio-Carbon Dating determines an object’s age by measuring the amount of C-14
AMS (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry) • Another name for Radio-Carbon Dating • Used for samples that are far tinier than that needed for standard radiocarbon dating • In AMS dating, researchers use an acceleratorbased mass spectrometer to count all the C14 atoms, rather than just those atoms which are decaying.
Blood Molecules
May survive Millions of years and yield DNA information
Thermo luminescence dating
determines an object’s age by measuring the light given off by electrons trapped in the surrounding soil
What do your notes look like?
David Duez August – Date WH – Period ___ Topic: Chapter 1 “The First Humans”
Prehistory How do we find our past?
•
The time before the written word.
Simple Methods of Dating:
4. 5. 6.
Stratigraphy Tree Cuts Road Cuts
Early Hominids
Hominids: Having Human Characteristics
Archaeology The study of past societies through an analysis of the items people left behind them
Artifacts
tools, pottery, paintings, weapons, buildings & household items left behind by early
Oldest Hominid Remains Found in
Olduvai Gorge East Africa
Mary Leakey
PAGE 18
Louis Leakey
Leakey Legacy
“Theories on prehistory and early man constantly change as new evidence comes to light.” -Richard Leakey
Their son Richard Leakey discovers an Australopithicus skull
Newsweek July 22, 2002
Australopithecus
Australopithicus footprints
Laetoli_Footprints.asf (2:16)
Fossils
A remnant or impression of an organism from a past geologic age that has been preserved in the
Australopithecus Discovered by
Donald Johanson 3-4 million years old
What Lucy Looked Like…
Australopithecus
First upright hominid
“southern apes”
Australopithecus_Afarensis.asf
Homo erectus
“upright human being”, a species that emerged around 1.5 nd million years ago; 2 stage of early human development
Homo erectus, cont. Learned to use fire to keep warm in colder areas
Homo sapiens “wise human being”
a species that emerged around rd 250,000 years ago; 3 stage in human development
Homo sapiens sapiens “wise, wise human being”
a species that appeared in Africa between 150,000 & 200,000 years ago
Homo sapiens sapiens
they were the first anatomically modern humans WE BELONG TO THIS GROUP TODAY.
Paleolithic Age
from the Greek for “Old Stone”
the early period of human history, from approximately 2.5 million to 10,000 B.C., humans used simple stone tools
Lifestyle Hunter-gathering
Drawbacks to Hunting & Gathering
1. 2. 3. 4.
Food sources dry up No storage Isolation Short lifespan
Major advances •Mastery of fire •Language
Technology
Art
Lascaux Cave
ROCK ART PROJECT • Rough Draft Project due in class Tuesday
Section 2: Neolithic Revolution & Rise of Civilizations
New technology
New Technology Pottery Improved tools (metal working)
Use of Metals
Marked a new level of human control over their environment
THE END
Rise of Villages
6 characteristics of Civilizations •1. Cities •2. Government •3. Religion •4. Social structure •5. Art •6. Writing
Neolithic Age
•Development of Cities •Mastered the art of farming •More complex societies
High Point of Neolithic Age
•Catal Huyuk, located in modernday Turkey, high point from 6700 to 5700 B.C.
Earliest Writing Cuneiforms
Food surpluses made it possible for people to do things other than farming •Artisans – a skilled craftsperson who makes products such as weapons & jewelry
•scribes
End of the Neolithic Age •Copper, then Bronze tools led to the Bronze Age
End of the Neolithic Age •Between 4000 & 3000 B.C. •The use of metals marked a new level of human control over the environment & its
Bronze Sword
Essay Questions
1. Describe some of the dramatic changes that took place during the Neolithic Revolution and the consequences.
Essay Questions
2. Explain how the roles of men and women changed from the Paleolithic Age to the Neolithic Age.