The Story of Us
The Big Bang and Beyond
About 13.5 billion years ago, matter, energy, time, and space came into being in what is known as the Big Bang.
- The story of these fundamental features of our universe is called PHYSICS.
About 300,000 years after their appearance, matter and energy formed into atoms, which then combined into molecules.
- The story of atoms, molecules, and their interactions is called CHEMISTRY.
About 3.8 billion years ago, on a planet called Earth, certain molecules combined to form organisms.
- The story of organisms is called BIOLOGY.
About 70,000 years ago, organisms belonging to the species Homo sapiens started to form even more elaborate structures called cultures.
- The story of these human cultures is called HISTORY.
Were Weren't the Only Humans
The following video provides a general timeline of humanity's origins (as best we know from science at this point). This is only humanity's timeline, not all creatures.
Taxonomic Classification
How are organisms classified to the species level?
A hierarchical system is used for classifying organisms to the species level. This system is called taxonomic classification. The broadest classifications are by domain and kingdom; the most specific classification is by genus and species. The hierarchical groupings in between include phylum, class, family, and order.
On the right, you will see humanity's classification. We are part of the Genus family "Homo", which means we are organisms that move on our won, with a backbone, hair, milk glands, collar bones, fingers that can grasp things, flat faces with 3D vision, we walk upright and have large brains.
Say what?
To be human means you are part of the Genus "Homo". Just like canines or felines that have several species in their family, Homo Sapiens (that would be us) USED TO have other human species in our family too! Cousins!
Here are examples of other species we know for sure:
So what happened? Where are all our cousins?
Well, there are one of two likely scenarios:
1. Well we (homo sapiens) killed them off. Homo sapiens emerged around 300,000 years ago in Africa. We probably explored up north, encountered the Neanderthals and did what we seem to always do.
2. We decided to breed with them. It is believed that humans with a European descent have 1-2% Neanderthal in their DNA.
Homo Sapiens Migration - Let's Conquer the World!
What does this all have to do with Grade 8 History and Geography?
In grade 7 Geography, you learned about he formation of our planet, including physical features, the atmosphere, and natural processes. Super fun!
In grade 8 Geography, we learn about the interrelationships between the Earth's physical features and process and human settlements. Ah, now it makes sense! We will be looking into the following questions:
- Where do people live and how is Earth's population changing?
- What influences where people build settlements?
- How do physical processes affect settlements?
- How is climate change affecting settlements?
- How does settlements affect the environment?
- What does sustainability look like for future settlements?
Grade 8 History is all about what was happening in Canada from 1850-1914, including Canada becoming an independent nation. Immigration (the movement of people TO Canada is an important part of our history.