Ancient People Chapter 1: Lesson 2

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Ancient PeopleChapter 1Lesson 2
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The Origins of Man

• The oldest human bones ever found were in Africa.
• Because of this, scientists believe that the
  human race originated in Africa.
• Over time, groups of humans began to migrate, or
  spread out, to new areas like Europe, the Middle
  East, and Asia.
• Why did they migrate?

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The Land Bridge

• How did early people get to North and South
  America?
• One theory (a guess based on study and research)
  is that they crossed a bridge of land between
  Asia and North America, a bridge of land that is
  currently underwater.
• How?

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The Land Bridge

• Thousands of years ago, there was an Ice Age.
• During this Ice Age, huge sheets of ice slowly
  moved and advanced across the land.
• Where did the water come from to make the ice?
• Since a lot of ocean water was being frozen in
  glaciers, the level of the ocean dropped as much
  as 350 feet.

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The Land Bridge

• Since the ocean level dropped, land under the
  water was exposed, and early groups of hunters
  were able to cross from Asia to North America.
• This exposed piece of land is called Beringia.
• Currently, the narrow strip of water between the
  two continents is called the Bering Strait.

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Other Arrival Theories

• Scientists first believed that the first people
  arrived in North America about 12,000 years ago.
• In Pennsylvania, archaeologists (scientists who
  study ancient people) have recently discovered
  artifacts (objects made by people) that are over
  14,000 years old.
• Archaeologists have found artifacts in Chile that
  may be over 13,000 years old.
• The finding of these object have caused
  scientists to revise, or change their theory
  about when the first people arrived in the
  Americas.

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Other Arrival Theories

• Scientists used to think that the early people
  did not have the know-how to make boats.
• Recent discoveries of artifacts over 10,000 years
  old may show that some groups knew how to make
  boats back then.
• This means that the first people to come to the
  Americas may have crossed by boat, not on foot.

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Ancient Peoples as HUNTERS

• They hunted the giant mammals, such as the wooly
  mammoth and saber-toothed tiger.
• They gathered fruits, nuts, and roots while they
  tracked their giant prey.
• Using wood, animal bones, and stones, they
  developed new technology (tools) for hunting.
• 1. They used sharpened stones for spearheads and
  axes.
• 2. They made clubs for battering.
• 3. Designed the atlatl, a spear-thrower 2 to 3
  feet long, that made spears travel faster,
  making them more dangerous.

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Ancient Peoples as HUNTERS

• Flaking was developed.
• A piece of bone or stone was used to knock off
  flakes (thin pieces) from another stone.
• The piece was hollowed out.
• This made it easier to attach the head to a
  spear.
• These spear points are called Clovis points.
• These points were razor sharp and were by far the
  best weapons early hunters had.
• The hunters used everything from their prey.
• Used flesh for meat.
• Used hides to make clothing and shelter.

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Ancient Peoples as GATHERERS

• About 10,000 years ago, the drier and warmer
  climate eliminated the lakes, rivers, and tall
  grasses that supported the giant mammals.
• Most animals weighing more than 100 pounds, such
  as mammoths, horses, camels, and tigers, became
  extinct in the Americas.
• Since there was no longer a supply of large prey,
  the nomadic hunters had to change their
  lifestyles.
• What would you do?

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Ancient Peoples as GATHERERS

• They stayed in places longer instead of chasing
  or following their prey.
• Began to fish and hunt smaller animals.
• Learned where certain plants grew and at what
  time plants ripened, then returned to these spots
  to gather food.
• To help store extra food, they developed baskets
  made from reeds, vines, strips of bark, and clay
  as food storage containers.

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Ancient Peoples as FARMERS

• Indian people in Central America were the first
  to develop agriculture (farming), and the
  earliest farmers lived in the Tehuacan
  (tay-wah-kahn) Valley in central Mexico.
• Instead of going around gathering nuts, seeds,
  berries, and plants from nature, they settled in
  one place and planted seeds to grow their own
  food.
• Archaeologists have found evidence of farming
  from 7,000 years ago.
• Early farmers harvested 12 kinds of corn,
  avocados, squash, pumpkins, and beans.
• Maize (corn) was the most important food grown in
  the Americas, mainly because it was the most
  abundant, and many people believed it was a gift
  from their gods.

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Ancient Peoples as FARMERS

• Since they no longer moved around after their
  food, they built stronger homes and formed
  villages.
• A surplus (more than was needed) of food and a
  less-dangerous lifestyle (no moving or hunting
  large animals) meant people lived longer and the
  population grew.
• People began to form tribes (a group made up of
  many bands of people with a shared culture and
  land).
• Less time traveling and hunting meant more time
  doing other things, like specializing in a job
  (pot-making, trading, or weaving).

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