CHAPTER 1
SECTION 1
READ MARY LEAKEY ON PAGE 54 onwards.
Key Terms:
Anthropology: the study of how human beings behave and act together.
Archaeologist: scientists who study human life a long time ago based on their
artifacts and things left behind.
Prehistory: Time before writing
Fossil: hardened remains or imprints of living things.
Geologist: Scientists who study the physical materials of Earth itself
Artifact: objects made and used by humans
Study of Early Humans:

Prehistory: archaeologists look for the places where people may have
lived.

Depend on fossils.
o Hardened remains or imprints of living things. (plants, feathers,
bones, footprints.)
o After a living thing dies it may be covered by sand or mud.

Soft parts rot away

Harder parts last longer

Over years minerals from the soil slowly replace the onceliving material.

Rocklike copy remains

Bones tells us the size and the structure of an early humans’
body.

Dating Ancient Remains:
o Comparison: to compare objects found in similar layer of rocks or
soil. Objects found in lower layers are generally older than those
found in upper layers.
o Radioactive dating: both living things and rocks contain
radioactive elements that decay or break down over time.

By measuring the amount of radioactive material left,
scientists can tell when an object was formed.
o DNA: genetic evidence has uncovered new information about how
people changed and how they moved from place to place.

STUDY THE DISCOVERIES OF MARY LEAKEY AND OTHER RESEARCHERS.
READ THE TEXT CAREFULLY.
SECTION 2:
HUNTER-GATHERER SOCIETIES:
Key Terms:
Hunter-gatherer: Early humans lived by hunting small animals and gathering
plants.
Technology: Tools and skills that people use to meet their needs and wants.
Culture: Includes many different elements that make up the way of life of a
people.
Nomads: People who move from place to place with the seasons.
How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived:

Archaeologists knew little about hunter-gatherers but they knew their
lives were harsh.
o Many groups emerged
o Most died out
o They developed technology to survive.



Simple tools: (PALEOLITHIC ERA) –STONE AGE

Split Stones –cutting tools

Chop down trees

Cut/strip meat

Scraping animal skin clean
Skilled Tools:

Thinner/sharper stone blades

(Spears and arrows)

Weapons from bones and antlers

Hunt larger animals for food
Discovery of Fire:

Light in the dark

Cook meat/plants

Scare off danger

Keep warm in the cold
WANDERING BANDS:

Culture was simple
o Social and family organization, beliefs, values, technology, shelter,
clothing, storytelling, art.
o Small groups/bands:

Ten/twelve adults and children

Many were nomads

Gather food from one area and move to the next.

Caves (shelter)

Men: hunted while Women: gathered fruits, grains, seeds
and nuts.

LATER STONE AGE PEOPLES:
o 2 groups of humans emerged.
o Had more developed culture than the homo habilis.
o THE TABLE ON PAGE 66. VERY IMPORTANT
SECTION 3: KEY TERMS ONLY.