Ch. 3, Sec. 1 – The First People

1. Ch. 3, Sec. 1 – The First People

2. Not an exact science! • Theories are explanations of something for which there is evidence but not final proof. • Fossils are remains or imprints of living beings that have been preserved in the earth’s crust. • All of the information we have about our earliest ancestors, or relatives from long ago, are theories. • Descendants are people born later. • Most are extinct, or no longer alive

4. The Dawn of Man • The oldest remains of human ancestors come from East Africa • The oldest remains of a human ancestor is called Ardi (4.4 million years old) • Previously holder of this title was Lucy (3.2 million)

5. Australopithecus • Lived between approximately 4.4 and 1.75 million years ago • Remains found in East Africa • Much shorter than modern humans • Ate mostly fruit, vegetables, tubers

6. Homo habilis • Homo means “man,”habilis means “handy” in Latin • Oldest remains about 2.2 million years old • Larger brain than Australopithecus • Scientists found tools around these remains • Scientists believe that they used simple language

7. Homo erectus • Erectus is Latin for “upright.” • Oldest remains are 1.6 million years old • Remains found in Africa AND Asia, suggesting that this ancestor migrated from East Africa • Mastered fire • More developed vocal box, so scientists think they could speak

8. Neanderthal Man • Remains found in Germany’s Neander Valley in 1854 • Lived between 130,000 and 30,000 years ago • Similar to homo erectus but had larger brains • Neanderthals buried their dead with items, which suggests that they believed in an after life

9. Homo Sapien (Cro-Magnon) • Sapien means “knowing” in Latin • Homo sapiens are modern human beings • Oldest remains are 40,000 years old • Developed the first blades and needles • First to make art