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Origins of Civilization

Total questions: 18

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

When archaeologists study an excavation site, objects found closer to the surface are

a)

not as old as those found in deeper layers.

b)

often as damaged as those found below them.

c)

impossible to date with any accuracy.

d)

unlikely to contain radioactive material.

2.

Which fossil discovery was found in Olduvai Gorge in East Africa?

a)

Tim White's Ardi

b)

Michael Brunet's humanoid skull

c)

Mary and Louis Leakey's Homo Habilis

d)

Donald Johanson's Lucy

3.

Why do archaelogists believe that Neanderthals were the first hominins to bury their dead?

a)

The depth at which the skeletons were found is evidence that graves were dug.

b)

Chemical analysis shows a crude form of mummification was used.

c)

Flowers and artifacts have been found near Neanderthal skeletons.

d)

Carbon dating proves the skeletons are too old to be Homo sapiens.

4.

How might the use of fire have affected human migration?

a)

People could cook food and scare off dangerous animals.

b)

People could settle in one place where it was easy to keep a fire burning.

c)

People could be less dependent on daylight and travel at night.

d)

People could live in places that otherwise would have been too cold.

5.

If the "out of Africa" theory of human migration is correct, Homo sapien fossil remains found nearest to Africa should be

a)

older than those found farther from Africa.

b)

younger than those found farther from Africa

c)

older than those found in Africa.

d)

younger than those found on other continents

6.

The economy of early villages and cities was based mainly on

a)

trade.

b)

hunting and gathering.

c)

farming.

d)

the production of tools.

7.

What abilities did both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens share?

a)

making tools, using fire, hunting animals, developing complex language

b)

using fire, cooperating, hunting animals

c)

using fire, making tools, hunting animals

d)

making tools, developing complex language

8.

During the Paleolithic Era, People acquired food by

a)

herding and gathering

b)

hunting and trapping

c)

fishing and farming

d)

hunting and gathering

9.

Why did the earliest civilizations appear in areas like Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley?

a)

because these areas had the most domesticated animals

b)

because these areas were isolated from other regions

c)

because these areas were far away from oceans

d)

because these areas were near rivers and fertile soil

10.

Which types of information can scientists learn from discovering a skeleton and artifacts? Choose TWO

a)

the approximate age of the skeleton

b)

the size of the prehistoric community

c)

the types of pottery and tools early people used

d)

whether the person had migrated from another region

11.

Why are archaeologists interested in the cave paintings found near Lascaux in southern France?

a)

The paintings are the first evidence of early humans ever found in France.

b)

The caves did not exist during the last Ice Age.

c)

The paintings provide evidence that humans had become more complex.

d)

The cave paintings are worth a great deal of money.

12.

Look at this list of world rivers:

Nile

Euphrates

Indus

Huang


What do these rivers have in common?

a)

They were the locations of early civilizations?

b)

They were used to irrigate large rice fields.

c)

They had many shallow rapids.

d)

They were rich in mineral deposits.

13.

What factors were MOST responsible for villages developing into cities? Choose TWO correct answers.

a)

immigration from neighboring regions

b)

a surplus of food

c)

rapid population growth

d)

access to fresh water

14.

Which of the following are examples of how early civilizations affected the surrounding environment? Choose TWO correct answers.

a)

developing language to communicate

b)

building irrigation systems

c)

believing the gods controlled natural events

d)

clearing land by cutting down and burning trees

15.

Look at these actions of Prehistoric People:

Following herds of animals

Burying the dead with beads

Clearing trees and bushes

Domesticating animals for food


Which actions indicate people were modifying their environment? Choose TWO correct answers.

a)

Following herds of animals

b)

Burying the dead with beads

c)

Clearing trees and bushes

d)

Domesticating animals for food

16.

Choose the correct sequence from the earliest development to the latest development

a)

hunting and gathering, farming villages, sedentary agriculture, cities

b)

hunting and gathering, cities, domesticating animals

c)

domesticating animals, sedentary agriculture, complex language

d)

hunting and gathering, sedentary agriculture, farming villages, cities

17.

Look at this table:

Migrations of Homo sapiens

200,000 years ago --------appear in Africa

40,000 years ago ----------arrive in Europe

20,000-60,000 years ago---------?

15,000 years ago-------------------?


Beginning with the earlier development, what events will replace the question marks in the table?

a)

arrive in Asia; arrive in Australia and Pacific Islands

b)

arrive in Asia; arrive in the Americas

c)

arrive in Australia and Pacific islands; arrive in the Americas

d)

arrive in Australia and Pacific islands; arrive in Asia

18.

Suppose you are looking at an artifact that resembles a modern day knife, however it seems to be carved from stone.....


Which statement would describe it's significance?

a)

Prehistoric people had opposable thumbs.

b)

Some prehistoric tools survived to modern times.

c)

Prehistoric people developed artistic skills.

d)

Prehistoric people developed tools to survive.