Prehistoric Life—In the Paleolithic Era

What is the Theory of Evolution?

Theory—an educated guess about something that is based on solid evidence. Theories can change when new, conflicting evidence arises.

Evolution—the process by which different kinds of living creatures are thought to have developed and adapted and changed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Prehistoric Life-How did early hominids adapt in

order to survive?

The Theory of Evolution

is based on fossil evidence

This scientific theory states that all plant, animal and human life on Earth has slowly changed over

time by adapting to climate change and environmental pressures.

The Paleolithic EraThe OLD Stone Age is when humans’ earliest ancestors

lived4.4 million to 10,000 years ago

Early Human Ancestors--Hominids

Ardipithecus ramidus “Ardi”

Australopithecus afarensis (“Lucy”)

Homo habilis “handy man”

Homo erectus “upright man”

Homo sapiens neandrathalis “neanderthals”

Homo sapiens sapiens

During the Paleolithic Era, our early human ancestors went through many

very slow changes.

According to fossil evidence…

Our oldest human ancestor lived about 4 million years ago.This early hominid lived partially in trees and partially on the ground.

Scientists call this species Ardipithicus ramidus or “Ardi” for short

3.4 million years agoAustralopithecus—”Lucy”

Fossil evidence tells us that “Lucy”… …walked on 2 legs!

2 million years ago—Homo habilis

Homo habilis had to scavenge for many different kinds of food…

Homo habilis—the “handyman”

They had bigger brains than Lucy…

…and made the first very basic STONE tools!

1 .2 million years ago…Homo erectus—”Upright

man.”

Having an EVEN bigger brain, Homo erectus learned how

to do many new things.

Homo erectus made much more advanced stone tools!

They lived in cooperative groups as

hunter-gatherers.

Homo erectus learned to HUNT!

Homo erectus learned to control FIRE!

Turn and talk: What does migrate mean? Think of animals that migrate. Why do they

migrate?

And then Homo erectus MIGRATED out of Africa!

Our closest ancestors…

Homo neanderthalis

Short , stocky and strong

Well-adapted to the Ice Ages in Europe and Asia

Lived in hunter gatherer communities

First known ancestors to bury their dead and show emotions for it (evidence = flowers in prepared graves)

Homo sapiens

Fully modern humans

Lived in hunter-gatherer communities

Advanced stone tools and other technologies

Lived on every continent except Antarctica

More inventive than any other hominid

Probably bred with and then outnumbered the Neanderthals

Review Resources

The Smithsonian

http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-family-tree

The Prehistoric Song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD4CQ5ppm_A&safe=active