Exam Review PDF

Terms Concepts People: Discoveries: Person, where, when, claimed to fame Ramapiticus: ​ Believed to be the 1st common ancestor between apes and humans​ ​ lived approximately 15-8 Million years ago ​ partially bi-pedal ​ Reasons for bipedalism: was able...

Terms Concepts People: Discoveries: Person, where, when, claimed to fame Ramapiticus: ​ Believed to be the 1st common ancestor between apes and humans​ ​ lived approximately 15-8 Million years ago ​ partially bi-pedal ​ Reasons for bipedalism: was able to carry food to safe eating places and to females and children, gets a better view of the area to see predators, is able to throw things at predators and is eventually able to make tools Australopithecus ​ First undoubted hominid (human descendant) ​ Lived 4 million years ago ​ Earliest most complete specimen found was lucy Butler Act: in 1925 Tennessee law prevented the teaching of evolution of man, it was repealed in 1967 after Gary scott who was fired under the act took his care to court Homo sapiens: Homo sapiens means “wise man”, its a line leading directly to modern humans, they are large and have a modern sized brain Behavioral Sciences: focuses on how individuals act, think, and feel in different contexts. Hypothesis: an idea or explanation for something that is based on known facts but has not yet been proved “Lucy”: an early human ancestor, she lived about 3.2 million years ago and was discovered in 1974 in Ethiopia. Lucy is one of the most important fossils because her skeleton is about 40% complete, giving scientists valuable information about early human evolution. Charles Darwin: He developed the theory of evolution by natural selection, he proposed that species evolve over time through the process of natural selection Artifacts: An object made by humans such as tools or weapons “Ardi”: the name of a fossil from an early human ancestor, she lived about 4.4 million years ago, Ardi's bones show that she had traits of both apes and humans, helping scientists understand how early humans may have started walking on two legs Piltdown Man: Piltdown Man was a famous hoax in anthropology. In 1912, scientists discovered fossil fragments in England that were thought to be the remains of an early human ancestor, believed to be the missing link to prove human evolution. However, in 1953, it was revealed that the bones had been deliberately altered and were not from the same individual, proving it was a fake. Ethnocentrism: Belief that one's ethnic group is centrally important and that all other groups are measured in relation to one's own Questions: 1.​ What are the steps of the Scientific Inquiry ​ Identify a problem or question  ​ Develop a hypothesis ​ Gather data ​ Analyze the data ​ Draw conclusions ​ Report the findings 2.​ What are the 4 Behavioural Sciences? Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology and economics 3.​ What are the major sub-divisions of Anthropology? Physical anthropology a.​ Studies origin and development of the human species Archaeology b.​ The excavation and study of fossils and artifacts Anthropology studies c.​ Origin and development of human species d.​ Common phenomenon among different peoples Forensic anthropology e.​ Dna to reconstruct the past Linguistic anthropology f.​ Studies the origin development and role of language in converting information Cultural anthropology g.​ Studies common phenomenon among different people and aspects of culture 4.​ Know how to determine the age of death and gender of a fossil. Gender: Determined by the pelvis and the forehead/skull Female: Has a wide bowl shaped pelvis, has a slightly rounded forehead (between the eyebrow ridge) Male: Has a narrow triangular shaped pelvis, has a slightly sloped forehead (between the eyebrow ridge) Age at death: ​ Molars come in at 6 year intervals ○​ 6, 12, 18 ○​ 3 molars present, at least 18 ○​ Wear on molars ​ 1st: closest to the front ​ 3rd: one in the back ​ If 3rd has less wear then 2nd: they are not that much older than 18 ​ If all are even: they are old 5.​ What is the premise of the theory of Natural Selection Survival of the fittest - Survival of the organisms with the best adapted characteristics in an environment. NOT perfection of traits 6.​ Know which sources we can derive pre-historic information from and what kind of information we can ascertain from each. 1. Fossils a.​ Source: Remains of ancient organisms, including bones and teeth. b.​ Information:  c.​ Physical characteristics and evolutionary changes of hominids. d.​ Insights into diet, health, and behavior based on skeletal analysis. e.​ Dating fossils helps establish timelines for the emergence of different species. 2. Stone Tools f.​ Source: Artifacts created by early humans, such as Oldowan and Acheulean tools. g.​ Information: h.​ Technological advancements and skill levels of prehistoric peoples. i.​ Evidence of hunting, gathering, and daily activities. j.​ Cultural practices related to tool-making and usage (e.g., types of tools indicating specific tasks) ​ 3. Artifacts k.​ Source: Objects made or used by humans, including pottery, jewelry, and tools. l.​ Information: m.​ Social structure, trade practices, and cultural beliefs. n.​ Insights into daily life, artistic expression, and technological capabilities 5. 4. Cave Art o.​ Source: Paintings and carvings found in caves. p.​ Information: q.​ Symbolic thought and cultural practices of early humans. r.​ Insights into the environment and animals that were significant to prehistoric peoples. s.​ Possible religious or ritualistic significance 3. 5. Burial Sites t.​ Source: Locations where ancient peoples buried their dead. u.​ Information: v.​ Beliefs about death and the afterlife. w.​ Social structures based on burial practices (e.g., grave goods indicating status). x.​ Evidence of care for the elderly or sick within communities 3. 6. Geological Evidence y.​ Source: Sedimentary layers and volcanic ash deposits. z.​ Information: aa.​ Environmental conditions during different prehistoric periods. bb.​Dating methods (e.g., radiometric dating) help establish timelines for human activity 1. 7. Genetic Studies cc.​ Source: DNA analysis from ancient remains. dd.​Information: ee.​ Migration patterns and genetic diversity among early human populations. ff.​ Relationships between different hominid species 2. 7.​ What is the difference between Chronological Dating and Relative Dating? Chronological dating: (also called absolute dating) provides a specific age or time frame for an object, it gives a precise or approximate date Relative dating: compares the age of one object or layer to another, without giving an exact date ​ Ex. Soil, things in lower layer of soil are older than things on top, fluorine testing, idea that fluorine accumulates in body even after death, more fluorine = older 8.​ Know each hominids name, date, distinguishing trait. Know examples of each hominid (if provided in class) a.​ Which hominid is believed to be the common ancestor? Ramapithicus  Believed to be the 1st common ancestor between apes and humans Approx. 15 - 8 m.y.a Partially bi-pedal (still ran on 4 legs but was able to stand on 2 legs) Reasons for bi-pedalism able to: Carry food to safe eating places and to females and children in camp Get better view of area and see predators Throw things (sticks, stones) at predators Eventually (homo habilis) used to make tools Small cranium, arms and legs same size, lots of hair b.​ Which hominid is believed to be the 1 st undoubted hominid? Australopithicus 4 m.y.a First undoubted hominid (human decent) Earliest most complete specimen found was “Lucy” c.​ Which hominid is believed to be the first to used tools? Homo habilis Offshoot of Australopithecus (co-existed for about 1 million years) Australopithecus eventually dies out Homo habilis survived Homo habilis (“handyman”) able to use and eventually makes tools Huge brow ridge, small cranium, big teeth (lots of chewing) d.​ Which hominid is believed to be the 1 st cave dweller – and to make cave art? Homo sapiens Line directing leading to modern humans (modern humans = homo sapiens sapiens) Homo sapiens means “wise man” Standing up straight Large, modern sized brain Neanderthal man Old homo sapien lived 400,000 y.a First one was found in Neander Valley, Germany; La Chapelle France; time period was found closely together Hunched over Buried dead people with flowers Had some kind of speech other than sounds Robust in frame First to have cave art / e.​ Which hominid is believed to be the 1 st to master fire? Homo erectus 1.5 m.y.a - 400,00 y.a Larger brain than predecessors Mastered fire therefore could control the environment (warmth, protection, cooking) f.​ Which hominid is believed to be the 1 st to use calculated hunts? Homo erectus 1.5 m.y.a - 400,00 y.a  Larger brain than predecessors Mastered fire therefore could control the environment (warmth, protection, cooking) Peking Man Found in Peking China (now Beijing) by Canadian anthropologist Davidson Black in 1923 (500,00 y.a) Called “Sinanthropus pekinensis” or Peking man Evidence of calculated , organized hunts (trap animals in bog then kill them) Fire for warmth, protection and cooking Cannibalism - found human remains among animal bones g.​ Which hominid is believed to be the 1 st to bury their dead? Homo sapiens Line directing leading to modern humans (modern humans = homo sapiens sapiens) Homo sapiens means “wise man” Standing up straight Large, modern sized brain Neanderthal man Old homo sapien lived 400,000 y.a First one was found in Neander Valley, Germany; La Chapelle France; time period was found closely together Hunched over Buried dead people with flowers Had some kind of speech other than sounds Robust in frame First to have cave art / 9.​ Know each dating technique, the basic premise of how it works and which items it can be used to date. Relative dating: ​ Dates artifacts and fossils “relative” to each other without giving absolute dates to the items ​ The most reliable method of relative dating is stratigraphy ​ Stratigraphy ​ Based on the principle that the lowest layer of earth, artifacts, etc. was deposited first and is therefore older than higher levels of “strata” ​ Lower the strata the lower and older it is Absolute Dating: ​ Gives artifacts and fossils an absolute or chronological date (i.e. 5 m.y.a) ​ Also known as Chronometric or Calender dating Radio Carbon dating ​ Used on organic material; bones, shell, teeth, charcoal, e.t.c ​ Works on premises that radio active material which is present in all living organisms after death, degrades ​ at a set rate Potassium Argon Dating and Fission Track Dating ​ Used on volcanic material  ​ Work on premises that following intense heating (i.e after volcanic eruption) ​ Potassium and/or uranium in organisms undergoes a chemical change and convert go zfgon at a set rate ​ To determine the age of fossil ​ Measure the amount of argon in it Obsidian Hydration ​ Used on obsidian ​ Works on the premises that obsidian absorbs water at a set rate after being cut ​ To determine age of fossil measure the water rings on it Dendrochronology ​ Used on trees ​ Works on the premises that trees acquire a new ring for every year of life ​ If you count the amount of rings you can determine the age of the tree when it was cut and/or fashioned into the artifact Thermoluminescence ​ Used on clay artifacts ​ Works on the premises that following intense heating (i.e. after curing) clay emits radio active material at a set rate ​ To determine age of artifact measure the amount of radio active material in it Amino Acid dating ​ Used on organic material such as bones, teeth, shell, etc. ​ Works on premise that certain amino acids present in organic materials remain present after death ​ If you measure the amount of the amino acid in a find you can determine how long it has been since it lives