World History Pre-AP – Duez NAME________________________________ PD:

Chapter 1 – “The First Humans” Prehistory to 3500 B.C. Time: 2 Weeks

Big Ideas:
1. Human beings have developed in stages and humans have changed and adapted over time to be able to take
advantage of their environment and survive.
2. Systematic Agriculture allowed people to create specialized labor and thereby develop civilizations.
3. History is the examination of evidence and new discoveries to understand our past.
Student-Friendly Learning Target Statements
• The first humans lived in small communities that were focused on very basic needs—food, shelter, and
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safety. Early humans left no written record of their activities and thoughts. Without such records,
Section 1 archaeologists and anthropologists have had to rely on fossils, artifacts, and skeletal remains to
develop theories about the lives of early humans.
“The First • Researchers have concluded that the earliest humans lived a meager hunter-gatherer existence. Only
Humans” later did they develop the skills and tools necessary to engage in agriculture and to build the first
civilizations.
• Describe the nature of human life during the Old Stone Age or Paleolithic Age.
• Scientists believe the earliest humanlike creatures lived in Africa three to four million years ago. Over the
next several million years, more advanced species appeared, first Homo erectus, then Homo
sapiens. From Homo sapiens, subgroups emerged. Today, all humans belong to the subspecies Homo
sapiens sapiens. Each surviving species and subgroup used more advanced skills and tools than the
last.
• During the Paleolithic Age (2,500,000 to 10,000 B.C.), humans invented tools that helped them
become better hunters. Improved types of shelter and the use of fire to keep warm also improved their
survival skills. This allowed them to migrate to colder climates. Discoveries of cave paintings from as long
ago as 25,000 B.C. show that art was part of the simple culture of the hunters and gatherers of the
Paleolithic Age.
• List the 6 characteristics of a civilization.
• Identify and Describe the importance of these locations:
Jericho Olduvai Gorge Catal Huyuk
Lascaux Uruk Eastern & Southern Africa
• The Neolithic Revolution, the period of human history from 10,000 to 4000 B.C., is marked by the
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rise of systematic agriculture—the domestication of animals and the growing of crops on a regular basis.
Section 2 • Systematic agriculture often resulted in the production of more crops than local people could
consume. This meant that some people could leave farming and work in trades and crafts. During the last
“Neolithic stages of the Neolithic Age, craftspeople discovered ways of making improved tools and weapons using
Revolution copper and later bronze.
and Rise of Thermo luminescence Dating Radiocarbon Dating Donald Johanson
Civilization Louis B. Leakey Heinrich Schliemann nomad
” Mary Nicol Leakey
• Historians speak of a Bronze Age from 3000 to 1200 B.C. Specialization of labor led to the trading of
goods and a diversified economy. Civilizations emerged in response to these changes.
• Civilizations are complex cultures in which large numbers of human beings share a number of common
elements. Historians have identified the basic characteristics of civilizations. They include cities,
government, religion, art, social structure, and writing.
Homework Quiz is on Wed/Thu Test on Ch. 1 is
Questions (due on Sept. 1st or 2nd Friday, Sept. 3rd
Tuesday, Aug. 31st)
RC = Reading Check Question
1. RC p. 21 Study the bold words above. They can
all be found in the chapter.
2. RC. p. 22
3. RC p. 25 Making flash cards or folding your paper
4. Page 25 #6 in half to create a word list and definition Rock Art Project is
5. Page 25 #7 is a great way to study. due on Tuesday,
6. RC p. 30 September 7th.
7. RC p. 31 We will work on this in class a little
8. Page 31 #5 and have further instructions and a
9. Page 31 #6 rubric.
10. Page 31#8
Write out the answers only in
complete sentences for credit.