What is Human?

1. Read the handout given in class

• Answer the following questions

1. What are the key features that define Hominins? 
2. How did those key features change over time?
3. Did these features all evolve at the same time? What pattern of evolution did these features follow?
4. How were Humans traditionally classified? What is the correct term for humans?
5. What is biocultural evolution? Give 3 examples  

2. Technology # 4
Research how stone tools are made.
Each of the following archeological industries has their own unique method for stone tool production. Your fieldbook report should follow the following format.

• General description of the types of lithic reduction techniques
• Percussion reduction
• Projectile percussion
• Bipolar percussion
• Hard Hammer percussion
• Soft Hammer percussion
• Indirect percussion
• Pressure Flaking
• Identify the type of material that would have been appropriate for stone tool production.
• Include both the type of stone being made into the tool as well as the types of material used by the creator to do the work of making the tool.
• Description of how each industry was unique. Include specific examples for each industry including the location, time, and culture that used the industry type.
• Oldowan
• Acheulean
• Mousterian
• Aurignacian
• Microlithic
• Neolithic

Geologic timeline lab Assessment

Using the timeline your group created answer the following questions.

1. How much older is Earth than you?

2. How would you help a kindergarten student understand the age of the Earth?

3. How do scientists determine when an eon, era, or period begins and ends?

4. When did the greatest extinction event occur on Earth? How?

5. What triggered the beginning of the Cenozoic era?

6. How did photosynthesis change Earth’s atmosphere? Why was this one of the most significant events in Earth’s history?

7. What evolutionary adaptation allowed for life on land?

8. In your opinion, what was the most crucial geological or biological event for the evolution of humans?

9. What evidence have scientists used to answer these kinds of questions?

10. Why is it important for scientists (and us) to study the history of the Earth?