The Real Eve - Out of Africa

 

Overview

The continent of Africa has revealed the most extended human history of any other continent in the world. Africa is the only continent in which evidence has been found for modern homo sapiens early evolution. The material evidence for human evolution depends mainly upon recovery and examination of ancient bones, fossils, stone tools, and other artifacts. Fossils are formed when animal or plant remains are trapped in mud that is then squeezed under great geological pressure to form rock.

Purpose

In this assignment, students will examine modern human variation and adaptations, cultural transition, and their use of technology that enabled our ancestors to adapt to changing environments and eventually settle in all corners of the world. 

Learning Outcomes

• Describe when and the geographical routes our ancestors took in leaving Africa.
• Interpret the evidence for early human behaviors and cultural activities (hunting, migrating, religions, etc.).
• Identify the types of technology associated with the different groups of early humans.

Instructions

1. Read the materials and watch the videos.

2. Complete The Real Eve - Out of Africa Quiz. 

Context

Africa, in a profound sense, is the fount of human evolution. The evidence from both the fossil and archaeological records indicates that the first modern humans began moving outside of Africa and established several migration patterns starting about 70,000 - 100,000 years ago. 

"The Real Eve" is based on the research of Oxford scholar Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer. Just as counting the rings in a tree helps to determine its age, researchers believe they can count markers in the cells of living humans to trace our lineage back to our common ancestor, "mitochondrial Eve." Through the comparison of genetic samples taken from thousands of people from all parts of the globe, Oppenheimer offers evidence that:

• There have been about 7,000 human generations.
• The only human group to have survived its migration out of Africa traveled in one wave about 80,000 years ago.
• Humans first crossed the land bridge from Siberia to the Americas before the last Ice Age.

Watch the videos: The Real Eve Parts 1 & 2

 

 

Watch the video: Homo Sapiens Migration out of Africa.

 

As Homo sapiens migrated from Africa to colder climates, they made clothing out of animal skins and constructed fires to keep themselves warm. Homo sapiens developed sophisticated weapons, such as spears and bows and arrows, for self-defense and to kill large mammals (such as mammoths and mastodons). In addition to hunting and killing animals, Homo sapiens began to use the earth's resources in new ways. They shifted from nomadic lifestyles to semi-permanent settlements that would be the building blocks of established communities in the development of agricultural practices. When movement results in permanent relocation across significant distances, classified as migration, it involves the long-term relocation of an individual, a household, or a larger group to a new locale.

Watch the video: Biology of Skin Color

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