Early Humans

Lesson 1 - Studying History

North Carolina Essential Standard

• Standard- (6.H.1) –Use Historical Thinking to understand the emergence, expansion and decline of civilizations, societies and regions over time.

• Lesson question:• How do we learn about prehistoric societies?

Warm-UpWarm UP1. Copy homework into agenda! book. (put today’s date)

Homework: review today’s notes, study guide and map. 

Thank you 

Essential QuestionsIn your composition Book

Copy each question/ skip 3 lines in between

1. What is the difference between an archaeologist and an anthropologist?

2. What is the difference between a fossil and an artifact?

3. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?

 LOOK OVER our Vocabulary FOR TODAY

1. Social Studies – 5  elements of Social Studies  - geography, history, *economics, *government, and culture

2. Geography – the study of the earth3. History – the study of the past4. Culture – the knowledge, beliefs, customs, and 

values of a group of  people; the way of life. Ex: religion

Values  - ideas that people hold dear and try to live by.

6. Anthropology - a science that specializes in the study of people and cultures

7. Archaeology -  a science that studies artifacts in order to learn about other cultures

8. Fossil - the preserved remains of something that was once alive

9. Artifact - an object that was made by people10. Primary Source – an account of an event created 

by someone who took part in or witnessed the event

11. Secondary Source – information gathered by someone who did not take part in or witness an event

The Study of the Past• Every step we take – in technology, 

science, education, literature, and all other fields – builds on what people did long ago.• We are who we are…. because of what 

people did in the past.• Social Studies. is a combination of 5

categories: geography, history, economics, government, and culture

What is History?• History is the study of the past.•   A battle that took happened 5,000 years ago and an 

event that happened yesterday are both parts of history.• Historians  -  people who study history.  • They are interested in how people once lived their lives.  

To answer questions historians study people’s • Culture – the knowledge, beliefs, customs, and values

shared by a group of people.–Music, food, clothing, religion, art, etc.

– VALUES - ideas that people hold dear and try to live by.

Who studies People?• Archaeology - is the study of the past based

on what people left behind. Archaeologists examine the objects they find to learn what they can tell about the past.

• Anthropology also helps historians understand about past people. It is the study of people. Anthropologists assist archaeologists and historians by helping them understand a culture’s beliefs and behaviors.

Why do we study  History?• Knowing Yourself– If you do not know your history you will struggle with your 

identity….history shapes our identity and teaches us the values that we share……..and makes you who you are.  Values are ideas that people hold dear and try to live by.

• Knowing Others– It helps you understand other people and the struggles they 

have faced and what they are willing or unwilling to accomplish.

• Knowing Your World– Helps you understand what is happening now.– Promotes good decision making skills.– Give you the Mental skills that help you to understand what 

is important.

Using Clues• For information on the very first humans

we have fossil remains. A fossil is a part or imprint of something that was once alive. Bones and footprints preserved in rock are examples of fossils.• Human beings also made things which

have also helped us study the past. They made artifacts, objects created by and used by humans. Artifacts include coins, arrowheads, tools, toys, and pottery.

Sources of Information• About 5,000 years ago, people invented writing.

They wrote laws, poems, speeches, battle plans, letters, contracts, and many others. These written sources provide clues on how people lived.

• A Primary Source is an account of an event created by someone who took part in or witnessed the event.– Treaties, letters, diaries, laws, autobiography, court

documents, audio and video recordings.• A Secondary Source is information gathered by

someone who did not take part in or witness an event.– History textbooks, journal articles, encyclopedias.

Rise of HumansHow do we learn about prehistoric societies?• Analyzing Artifacts• Archaeologists use sophisticated technology to 

investigate artifacts. What they find is evidence that may change the way we look at or think about old theories or ideas about our history.

• Early archaeologists were often "treasure hunters" who kept few scientific records and did not exercise care with dig sites.

• Today, archaeologists work in teams and follow strict rules and methods  in order to preserve both artifacts and sites.

• Archaeologists study the technology and culture of ancient civilizations to better understand how they lived.

Partner work - Review Questions –Respond to each one!

1. What is the difference between an archaeologist and an anthropologist?

2. What is the difference between a fossil and an artifact?

3. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources?

Discovery Educaion• User ID - your student #_cms• Password- your student #• Watch videos on archaeology!!!• Archaeologists as Detectives

• Bog Mummies• http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=DA

55EAD3-055A-425C-ACCE-C96272A9BC7D&layout=standalone

– Tools of the Craft• Carbon 14 dating• http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=B53

DF7AD-101F-4B71-9056-B59EE05FB7C8&layout=standalone

– What Archaeologists learned about ancient people and culture• Cave painting @ Gilf Kabir• http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/?assetGuid=21A

97A03-5315-43D2-BD84-AC36FC5FD228&layout=standalone

Assignment - You are a Social Scientist!• You are a Social Scientist. This is a person who studies

history, including people past and present.• Determine what type of a Social Scientist you are. Draw

(stick people are fine) yourself as a Social Scientist. Include the following:– Who are you? An archaeologist, anthropologist, experienced

explorer, inexperienced explorer, or a combination.– What you would wear? Any special clothes, protective gear, etc.– Tools you would use? Brushes, shovels, axes, computers, GPS

devices, satellite phones, etc.– Objects/Items you study or discover? Fossils, artifacts, a

combination, etc.– Where do you work? In an office, museum, laboratory, outside

in “the field”, etc.?