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In Search of Human Origins, Part II
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
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For anthropologists, fossil bones offer a wealth of information.
Have the students compare the bones of different animals, such
as those of a chicken, rabbit, or cat. Use pictures from
encyclopedias or obtain real or plastic bones. What are the
similarities and differences between arms and wings? How does
the human leg compare to a horse's leg? What bones do humans
stand on? What bones do horses stand on?
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Present the following scenario to students: An anthropologist
has found a large number of stone tools, and nearby a large
number of animal bones. These artifacts and fossils date to
approximately 2 million years ago. There are no fossils of any
hominids found at the site. Ask for students' ideas about what
happened at this site two million years ago. As they watch,
encourage them to find the answers in the program.
After Watching
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In this series, scientists explore the "big" questions about
early humans and their evolutionary development. The "small"
questions, such as details of everyday life, are not the major
focus of the program. Based on what they have observed from the
series so far, have students imagine a day in the life of an
early hominid. What happened to individuals who were injured?
What did their food taste like? When and where did they sleep?
Encourage the class to contact the anthropology or archeology
department at a local university for answers to these questions,
or invite an expert to speak to the class.
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Hold up a chicken bone or a human-bone replica and ask students
what they think the bone could be used for. Place a picture of a
human skeleton at the front of the class and display six or more
tools (screwdriver, hammer, awl, saw, etc.) along a table. Which
tools function like parts of the body? Which bones could
function like some tools?
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