AP World History: The PaleolithicWhat makes us human?

NY State Standards 2Common Core RS 1, 2, 7, WS 1, LSS 4

I Evolution vs. CreationismA) Historians learn about human history prior to the invention of

writing by looking at archaeological evidence, linguistic evidence, and DNA. Taken together, historians have been able to understand human evolution (how modern Homo sapiens have evolved over

millions of years). Evolution is based on science.B) Creationists believe the world was created by a supernatural

power. Creationism is based on faith.C) There has been an education movement in the U.S. to promote

intelligent design, which accepts evolution but argues that the process was begun by a supernatural force. Advocates of intelligent

design argue that it should be taught in public school science classes.

Is it possible to believe in both evolution and creationism? Should intelligent design be taught in public school science classes?

II What was the Paleolithic?

A) Human history is divided into different ages. The Old Stone Age (Paleolithic) is the oldest. It lasted from 4 million+ years ago to

8,000 BCE.B) Millions of years ago, humans shared a common ancestor with

primates (apes, chimpanzees…). Over time, our human ancestors evolved separately from the primates.

COMMON ANCESTOR

PRIMATES HUMANS

What was the Paleolithic continued…C) Our earliest human ancestors (hominids) had traits of both primates

and humans. For most of the Paleolithic, more than one species of hominid existed at the same time!

D) Most of the earliest archaeological evidence found comes from the Great Rift Valley in Eastern Africa.

III Meet Our Relatives!A) The oldest hominid found (so far) is nicknamed Ardi, a 4.4 million year old female from Ethiopia! She was 110 lbs,

4ft tall.

Ardipithecus Ramidus

What was the Paleolithic continued…E) Hominids (as well as the first modern humans) survived by living in caves or building simple shelters. They made stone tools, and hunted and gathered food. They were nomadic.

Modern day Bushmen live in the Kalahari Desert in southern Africa. Many still live a hunting and gathering lifestyle.

B) Lucy, named for a Beatles song, is 3.2 million years old. She is 3 ft. 6 inches tall and

walked on two legs. Discovered by Donald

Johansen.

Australopithecus afarensis

Donald Johansen and 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 by members of Lucy’s Species

These hominids footprints became preserved in volcanic ash 3.6 million years ago! It was found

by Mary Leaky in Tanzania.

C) Homo erectus lived between 1.8 and 1.3 million

years ago. They were the first hominids to make fire!

Homo erectus tautavelensis

How did the ability to make fire change human history?

D) 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 mapped the Neanderthal genome and discovered

that they interbred with modern humans! Neanderthal DNA make up 1-4% of the DNA in modern people

from Eurasia.

Homo neanderthalensis

Neanderthal Tools

Did the Neanderthals have culture?

This flute was found at a Neanderthal site in Slovenia. It is carved from a bear’s femur, and is dated between 43,000 and 82,000 years

old. This is the oldest musical instrument ever found.

Cro Magnon vs. Neanderthal Skull

E) 200,000 – 400,000 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 had replaced the Neanderthals.

This is the reconstructed face of a Cro Magnon man who lived in Romania 35,000 years ago.

Cro Magnon Tools Develop

IV Achievements of Cro MagnonsA) Cro Magnons buried their dead.

This skeleton is 12,000 years old. It was found in a cave in Italy.

Achievements of Cro Magnons continued…B) They created art.

Venus of Willendorf24,000 – 22,000 years old

Found in Austria

Achievements of Cro Magnons continued…

The Lascaux Caves in southwestern France. (15,000 BCE)

Lascaux Caves Details

Lascaux Cave Details

Achievements of Cro Magnons continued…

C) They survived.

Key Vocabulary