The Paleolithic Age“The Old Stone Age”8 million B.C. – 10,000 B.C.

WHAT? ◦ The Paleolithic (“Old Stone”) Age. The period in

human history where humans began to develop as a unique animal by developing bigger brains, walking on two legs, and working with stone tools.

WHO?◦ Early human beings include the hominids, homo

erectus, and homo sapiens.

WHEN?◦ The Paleolithic Age lasts from around 8 million

B.C. to 10,000 B.C.

WHERE?◦ The Paleolithic Age begins in southern and

eastern Africa, and eventually spreads throughout all seven continents.

WORD WALL

Paleolithic hominidHomo erectus Homo sapien

The Great Apes:Hominids8 million B.C. – 1.5 million B.C.

Learning Goal

◦ Students will be able to identify the major biological changes between apes and hominids and explain how those changes allowed hominids to become more advanced than apes.

Hominids

First human-like animals, but more closely related to apes

First hominids appeared in Africa around 8 million years ago

Hominids have human-like traits that make them different than apes and make them a step closer to modern humans.◦ 1. Bi-pedal (Mainly walks upright on two legs,

allows the hands to hold tools)◦ 2. Larger brain than apes (Allows hominids to

begin making simple tools like knives, needles, and clubs)

◦ 3. Opposable thumbs (Allows hominids to fully close their hand around objects and tools)

HominidsMainly gatherers and scavengers but were able

to hunt some small animalsLived in small groups and lived mainly in trees

and caves. Did not know how yet to build homes or shelters.

Had one major advancement over apes, tools. Mainly used sharpened weapons and tools made

from stone or animal bones. Able to make these tools because of their ability to grip these tools and sharpen them in the way they needed them.

Summary: Essential Question

◦ What were the major biological changes between apes and hominids?

◦ The major biological changes between apes and hominids were _______________________________.

Summary: Essential Question

◦ How did those major biological changes allow hominids to become more advanced than apes?

◦ Those major biological changes allowed hominids to become more advanced than apes by __________________________________.

◦ Elaboration: __________________________________________

◦ Evidence: 1. _______________, 2. __________________, 3. _________________.

Upright Humans:Homo Erectus2 million B.C. – 150,000 B.C.

Learning Goal

◦ Students will be able to identify the major biological changes between hominids and homo erectus and explain how those changes allowed homo erectus to become more advanced than hominids.

Homo ErectusFirst appear in Africa around 1.5 million years ago. Much different than hominids, skulls and bodies are

much larger, more human-likeFirst animal to resemble human featuresResponsible for some of the most important

creations in human history.1. Totally Bi-pedal (Only walks on two legs)2. Much bigger skulls allow for much bigger brains.3. Bigger brains mean more creativity and more

complex tools. ◦ Spears and axes to hunt bigger animals◦ Hooks from animal bones for fishing◦ Most importantly, learn to create fire on their

own.

So why is homo erectus so important to human history? Mainly for one thing….the

creation of fire.

Why is fire so important?

1.2.3.4.

Summary: Essential Question

◦ What were the major biological changes between hominids and homo erectus?

◦ The major biological changes between hominids and homo erectus were _______________________________.

Summary: Essential Question

◦ How did those major biological changes allow homo erectus to become more advanced than hominids?

◦ Those major biological changes allowed homo erectus to become more advanced than hominids by _________________________.

◦ Elaboration: __________________________________________

◦ Evidence: 1. _______________, 2. __________________, 3. _________________.

Wise Humans:Homo Sapiens150,000 B.C. – 10,000 B.C.

Learning Goal

◦ Students will be able to identify the major biological change between homo erectus and homo sapiens and explain how those changes allowed homo sapiens to become more advanced than homo erectus.

Homo SapiensFirst appear in Africa around 150,000 years ago. Larger cranial area than homo erectus, equals

bigger brains, same size as the modern human brain.

More advanced than Homo erectus, humans become the dominant animal on the planet.

Now hunt every animal, still gather food, but no longer have to scavenge for food.

Begin to build more advanced shelters and move out of caves. Able to work wood and stone to make huts and houses.

Much bigger brain allows homo sapiens to develop culture. First animals to create their language, art, and music.

Homo SapiensMake another huge advancement, first early

humans to travel outside of their native Africa.Now that Homo sapiens are at the top of the food

chain they begin to reproduce much more rapidly. Soon, their native African living space becomes over populated and they begin to spread outward from Africa.

Begin moving out of Africa and into Asia around 120,000 years ago. Begin living in the Middle East around 80 – 90,000 years ago. Move into India, China, and Australia around 65-70,000 years ago. Europe is populated around 40-50,000 years ago. Americas are populated around 35,000 years ago.

Summary: Essential Question

◦ What was the major biological change between homo erectus and homo sapiens?

◦ The major biological change between homo erectus and homo sapiens was _______________________________.

Summary: Essential Question

◦ How did that major biological change allow homo sapiens to become more advanced than homo erectus?

◦ That major biological change allowed homo sapiens to become more advanced than homo erectus by _________________________.

◦ Elaboration: __________________________________________

◦ Evidence: 1. _______________, 2. __________________, 3. _________________.