A very quick activity in which you investigate a set of fossils and make assertions about how early humans live. Register to explore the whole course here: https://school.bighistoryproject.com/bhplive?WT.mc_id=Slideshare12202017

1. Take a look at the How Did Our Ancestors Evolve images and illustrations
worksheet.
Imagine you’re on a major archaeological dig and have uncovered these
fossils. What do you think the fossils can tell us about early humans?
Get with a partner and come up with at least one piece of information we
might be able to find out from each fossil.
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 6.4
HOW DID OUR ANCESTORS EVOLVE?

2. BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 6.4
HOW DID OUR ANCESTORS EVOLVE?
Image 1: Homo erectus
Homo erectus, sometimes called Homo ergaster,
lived between about 1.9 million years ago and
143,000 years ago. The bodies of this species
shared the same general proportions as that
of humans and study of their teeth has shown
that their growth rates were similar to that
of the great apes. Homo erectus are thought to
be the first human ancestors to have mig-
rated out of Africa and there is evidence that
they built campfires and made stone tools.
Image Sources: © Carolina Biological/Visuals Unlimited/Corbis

3. Image 2: Homo habilis
Homo habilis was one of the earliest species
of the genus Homo and had a slightly larger
braincase than it’s ancestors. Thought to be
one of the first species to make stone tools,
Homo habilis had long arms and a face similar
to that of its ape ancestors.
Image Sources: © Carolina Biological/Visuals Unlimited/Corbis
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 6.4
HOW DID OUR ANCESTORS EVOLVE?

4. Image 3: Dental forensics
One of the most important ways that archae-
ologists can learn about human ancestors is
by studying their fossils and material remains.
Looking closely at ancient teeth can help
distinguish one species from another and can
also reveal important information about diet
and lifestyle.
Image Sources: © Carolina Biological/Visuals Unlimited/Corbis
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 6.4
HOW DID OUR ANCESTORS EVOLVE?

5. Image 4: Stone tools
Acheulean stone tools like these were made
by Homo erectus and represent a revolution
in tool making some 1.6 million years ago.
Our ancestors made the multi-purpose tools
(sometimes referred to as hand-axes) by flaking
off part of the surface to get a better edge and
used the pear-shaped tools for digging, cutting
wood or other plant material, and for cutting and
skinning game.
Image Sources: © Alfredo Dagli Orti/The Art Archive/Corbis
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 6.4
HOW DID OUR ANCESTORS EVOLVE?