In this Grade 6 lesson from History Alive! The Ancient World, students explore four early hominin groups — including Homo habilis and Homo erectus — and examine the physical traits and capabilities, such as bipedalism and tool-making, that helped prehistoric humans survive. Students also learn how paleoanthropologists like Louis and Mary Leakey use skeletal remains and artifacts to study human development, and how the B.C.E./C.E. timeline system is used to place hominin groups in historical context.
Section 1
Hominins Evolve Greater Abilities
Early hominins slowly developed more complex skills over millions of years. This process of hominin evolution began with groups like Homo habilis, who were the first to make simple stone tools for survival.
Later hominins built on these early skills. Homo erectus learned to control fire, and Homo neanderthalensis created better tools and formed social communities that buried their dead.
Section 2
Scientists Uncover Human Origins
The story of the earliest humans is a puzzle with many missing pieces. Since there were no written records, scientists must find other clues to understand the distant past.
Paleoanthropologists are like history detectives. They carefully dig for and study ancient, fossilized bones and artifacts. Each fragment provides a small piece of information about how early hominins looked and lived.
Section 3
Humans Migrate Across the Globe
Scientific evidence shows that modern humans first lived in Africa. Following resources and adapting to new climates, groups of these early people began a long journey. They slowly spread from Africa into Asia and Europe over thousands of years.
During the last Ice Age, lower sea levels revealed a land bridge that connected Asia and North America. Hunter-gatherer groups followed herds of large animals across this bridge. This final step brought humans into the Americas, completing their migration across the world.
Section 4
Early Humans Adapted to Climate Change
Early humans faced major environmental challenges, including long periods of intense cold known as Ice Ages. Survival in these harsh, frozen landscapes required new ideas and skills.
To meet these challenges, hominins developed new technologies. They learned to control fire for warmth, light, and cooking. They also crafted warmer clothing from animal hides and created more effective stone tools for hunting.
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Section 1
Hominins Evolve Greater Abilities
Early hominins slowly developed more complex skills over millions of years. This process of hominin evolution began with groups like Homo habilis, who were the first to make simple stone tools for survival.
Later hominins built on these early skills. Homo erectus learned to control fire, and Homo neanderthalensis created better tools and formed social communities that buried their dead.
Section 2
Scientists Uncover Human Origins
The story of the earliest humans is a puzzle with many missing pieces. Since there were no written records, scientists must find other clues to understand the distant past.
Paleoanthropologists are like history detectives. They carefully dig for and study ancient, fossilized bones and artifacts. Each fragment provides a small piece of information about how early hominins looked and lived.
Section 3
Humans Migrate Across the Globe
Scientific evidence shows that modern humans first lived in Africa. Following resources and adapting to new climates, groups of these early people began a long journey. They slowly spread from Africa into Asia and Europe over thousands of years.
During the last Ice Age, lower sea levels revealed a land bridge that connected Asia and North America. Hunter-gatherer groups followed herds of large animals across this bridge. This final step brought humans into the Americas, completing their migration across the world.
Section 4
Early Humans Adapted to Climate Change
Early humans faced major environmental challenges, including long periods of intense cold known as Ice Ages. Survival in these harsh, frozen landscapes required new ideas and skills.
To meet these challenges, hominins developed new technologies. They learned to control fire for warmth, light, and cooking. They also crafted warmer clothing from animal hides and created more effective stone tools for hunting.
Book overview
Jump across lessons in the current chapter without opening the full course modal.
Continue this chapter