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Origins of Civilization Study Game

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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

a)

often as damaged as those found below them.

b)

impossible to date with any accuracy.

c)

unlikely to contain radioactive material.

d)

not as old as those found in deeper layers.

2.

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

a)

Donald Johanson's Lucy

b)

Mary and Louis Leakey's Homo habilis

c)

Michael Brunet's humanoid skull

d)

Tim White's Ardi

3.

How might the use of fire have affected human migration?

a)

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

b)

People could cook food and scare off dangerous animals.

c)

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

d)

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

4.

Which statement describes the significance of the item shown?

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.

5.

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

a)

younger than those found farther from Africa.

b)

older than those found farther from Africa.

c)

younger than those found on other continents.

d)

older than those found in Africa.

6.

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.

7.

The economy of early villages and cities was based mainly on

a)

trade.

b)

hunting and gathering.

c)

farming.

d)

the production of tools.

8.

What did these rivers have in common?

a)

They were used to irrigate large rice fields.

b)

They had many shallow rapids.

c)

They were the locations of early civilizations.

d)

They were rich in mineral deposits.

9.

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

a)

Flowers and artifacts have been found near Neanderthal skeletons.

b)

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

c)

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

d)

Chemical analysis shows a crude form of mummification was used.

10.

Which types of information can scientists learn from such discoveries? Choose the Two correct answers

a)

the approximate age of the skeleton

b)

the size of the prehistoric community

c)

the types of pottery and tools early peoples used

d)

whether the person had migrated from another region

11.

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

12.

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

a)

Following herds of animals

b)

Burying the dead with beads

c)

Clearing trees and bushes

d)

Domesticating animals for food

13.

Which of the following are examples of how early civilizations affected the surrounding environment? Choose the 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

14.

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

a)

a surplus of food

b)

rapid population growth

c)

immigration from neighboring regions

d)

access to fresh water

15.

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