Unit 1: Origins of Cultures and Civilizations

Define Fossils.

• They are the remains, such as bones and teeth, of organisms that lived long ago.

• They are living animals found in forests.

• They are types of rocks formed from lava.

• They are tools used by ancient humans.

Define Artifacts.

• They are human made objects such as stone tools.

• They are natural rock formations found in caves.

• They are rare animal fossils from the Ice Age.

• They are weather patterns observed in ancient times.

Where did Homo Sapiens first appear?

• Africa, Eastern Africa.

• Asia, Southeast Asia.

• Europe, Western Europe.

• Australia, Northern Australia.

When was the Paleolithic Age? What is another name for it?

• 2.5 million years ago and ended 8,000 years ago. Another name is the Stone Age.

• It began 500,000 years ago and ended 2,000 years ago. Another name is the Bronze Age.

• It started 10,000 years ago and ended 1,000 years ago. Another name is the Iron Age.

• It began 1 million years ago and ended 5,000 years ago. Another name is the Ice Age.

Define Culture.

• It contributes to the way of life of a particular group.

• It is a type of government system.

• It refers only to economic activities.

• It is a scientific theory about evolution.

What are the elements of a culture?

• Language, clothing, art, music, law, religion, government, and family structure.

• Weather, geography, climate, and seasons.

• Mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.

• Height, weight, eye color, and blood type.

What does comparing artifacts from different time periods explain?

• It helps explain how people changed and developed

• It shows the exact date of every artifact

• It reveals the names of all ancient rulers

• It proves all myths are true

What environmental changes may have caused some of the Paleolithic people to leave East Africa?

• A drought took place which caused the landscape to change, so the plants they ate became scarce and animals disappeared

• A volcanic eruption created new fertile land for farming

• The discovery of new metals encouraged migration for trade

• A sudden drop in sea levels exposed new land bridges for travel

Define Technology.

• Application of knowledge, tools, and inventions to meet people’s needs.

• A form of entertainment for leisure time.

• A type of government system.

• A natural resource found in the earth.

What was a particularly important technology? What did it provide?

• Fire and it provided warmth, light, cooked food, and provided protection

• The wheel and it provided a way to write messages

• Paper and it provided a way to build houses

• Iron and it provided a way to make glass