​Analyzing Fossils and Artifacts

• Archaeologists use technology to study artifacts. Technology is the practical application of knowledge.

• Culture is the attitudes, beliefs, and traditions shared by a large group of people. Archaeologists attempt to find culture in pre-historic groups by looking at artifacts such as sculpture and pottery.

• ​Archaeologists study the technology and culture of ancient civilizations.​

​Why Does it Matter?

• New archaeology developed in the 1960s based on careful analysis.

• ​The remains of a culture provide clues about how people lived.

• ​Artifacts are often all that is available to archaeologists.

• ​Archaeologists carefully study and record information about artifacts in order to better understand ancient people and civilizations.

• ​Most ancient societies did not have written records.

Hominins​

• The lifespan of the hominins extends from 5.8 million years ago to the present.

• ​Hominins include a significant number of distinct species.

• Africa is the only continent in which every hominin lived, and the Homo genus is the only hominin group to not live exclusively in Africa​

• ​Each subsequent hominin increased in height and brain size and intellectual capabilities.

• ​Over time, hominins began walking on two feet instead of climbing.

​Why Does it Matter?

• ​Exploring hominins helps us understand more about modern humans.

• ​The discovery of Homo erectus solidified the theory that Africa is the birthplace of humanity.

Habitat and Environment​

• Hominins survived changes in their environment by being adaptable.

• ​Hominins had to cope with intense weather shifts that lasted for years. These conditions affected where they lived.

• Hominins were constantly ​migrating in search of food and water, so they would've avoided areas that lacked in those resources.

• ​Later hominins learned to make tools, find shelter, and control fire. These developments helped them to survive harsh environments and move to new locations.

​Why Does it Matter?

• Hominins had to adapt to the environment.

• ​Their ability to adapt enabled them to survive and evolve.

• ​Hominins spread out across the globe in search of habitable lands with plenty of natural resources.