KJHS Home

Walking With Cavemen
  Wikipedia entry on Walking With Cavemen

Evolutionary Chart (Discussed in class)
 

American History: American Beginnings (United Streaming)
   “The Mystery of the First Americans” (23 minutes)
   Kennewick Man Virtual Interpretive Center
   Kennewick Man (Wikipedia)
   Meet Kennewick Man (NOVA online)
 

Chapter 4, Lesson 1: Uncovering Clues to Our Past (pp. 90-95)

Framework Concept: Culture
Archaeologists use a variety of scientific methods to understand and interpret the lives of the earliest humans.

I. Clues from Archaeology

A. Archaeologists use fossil bones, tools, and other artifacts to learn about the earliest people.
B. The fossil record of early humans shows that brain size and toolmaking ability grew over the centuries.
C. The "Old Stone Age," the very beginning of toolmaking, began about 2.5 million years ago and lasted until around 10,000 B.C.

• II. The Ice Age

A. During the Ice Age, about 2.5. million years ago until about 12,000 years ago, glaciers advanced and stretched over large areas of the earth.
B. During the colder periods of the Ice Age, early humans had to learn to make shelter, fire, and clothing.
C. As water froze, ocean levels dropped, allowing land bridges to arise and enabling early humans to colonize every continent except Antarctica.

Chapter 4, Lesson 2: The Development of Culture (pp. 97-101)

Framework Concept: Culture
The ability to use tools and language was vital in the development of early human culture.

I. Making Tools

A. Tools enable people to take advantage of a wide range of natural resources.
B. The earliest toolmakers used the same tool for many purposes. By the time of Homo sapiens, toolmakers made tools for specific purposes.
C. The ability to make tools was a key factor in the survival of early humans.

II. Using Language

A. Scientists believe that as brain size increased, so did early humans' ability to create and use language.
B. Language allowed early humans to share information, work together, and to pass on knowledge and traditions.

Chapter 4, Lesson 3: Hunters and Gatherers (pp. 106-114)

Framework Concept: Change
Humans developed increasingly complex cultures, showing more advanced tools, funeral rites, and art.

Chapter 4, Lesson 3: Hunters and Gatherers (pp. 106-114)

I. Early Fire Users

A. Homo heidelbergensis used fire to live in cold regions, cook food, and to scare off dangerous animals.
B. Homo heidelbergensis were hunter-gatherers. This means they hunted wild animals and gathered wild plants for food.
C. For about 7,000 years, Homo heidelbergensis lived in groups of 20-30 people that traveled over the year to find food.

II. The Neanderthals: Community Builders

A. Neanderthals lived in Europe in large groups of 20 to 50 people.
B. Neanderthals probably had a strong sense of community and took care of one another.
C. Neanderthals seem to be the earliest people concerned with life after death.

III. Cro-Magnons: Modern Humans

A. The Cro-Magnons looked like modern people and lived like modern hunter-gatherers.
B. The Cro-Magnons made advanced tools such as spear throwers.
C. The Cro-Magnons carved sculptures and painted cave walls and ceilings.