Embedded Files
So far we have been focused on the Biological Evolution of the physical beings that have become us. Environmental forces have driven genetic change through variation and natural selection. This has taken time and you have no choice about your genotype which can put limits on your final phenotype.
So what is Cultural Evolution? This is also about the transmission of changes from one generation to the next. But it is about the transmission of information, learned behaviour, the passing on of skills, knowledge and beliefs.
Cultural evolution can happen rapidly and jump generations. It can even out pace our biological evolution.
You have no choice over the biological you - but you have choice about the cultural you.
This topic will explore the final parts of our biological evolution and look at the beginnings of our cultural journey
Biologically we began our evolutionary journey in a part of the planet we now call Africa. At various times different versions of our ancestors have "moved" out of Africa.
Remember this moving out is not like us moving towns - this is a generational journey taking 1000's of years. So as populations grew and expanded into new territories - these new territories were beyond what now call Africa.
The information you get changes regularly = we keep finding more information = what you learn today may need to be updated by the end of the year....
Step 1 : Have a look at the images and clips that show how and about when we have ended up where we have (Learn)
Mission 1 : Read and complete the Leaving Africa page in your workbook. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
There is no doubt that "we" left Africa ..... however there is continuing debate about exactly how that came about and the interactions between the various Homo species around at the time that it happened.
Step 2 : There are two competing theories - you need to be familiar with them both - what evidence links to either the "Multiregional Model" or the Out of Africa Model". There is no wrong answer but you may feel inclined more towards one over the other - be prepared to back that up with evidence that supports you way of thinking. Here is some information to help you .... or add to your confusion. (Learn)
Mission 2 : So what evidence points to which model - you need to decide as you complete the work on The Origin of Modern Homo sapiens. Are you able to chose one theory over the other? You don't have to - but you doo need to be able to back up choices with evidence. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
We have met mutations in DNA before = they are normal and happen at a reasonably constant rate - so much so that we can use the number of changes to act as a "biological clock" They are being use increasingly to date the "branches" in our family tree.
While not necessarily having any specific questions about them - it is useful to understand what they are.
Here are some explanatory clips to help you understand how they work = will help with understanding how one of the tools used works.
A New Zealander - Allan Wilson has used this technology to look at the DNA found in your mitochondria which is maternally inherited. You can do something similar with the Y chromosome which is paternally inherited.
Step 3 : Have a look and try and understand what this information is telling us about our origins - which of the above theories does this evidence support? (Learn)
Mission 3 : Read and complete the Mitochondrial DNA work in your work book. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
Now if you can remember the dispersal maps and dates (go back and look if you can't ) you may have noticed that unlike now there were times when there were multiple species from the Homo genus in habiting the same part of the planet at the same time. Apparently we (Homo sapiens) and the other Homo species that were around each other at the same time were quite curious about each other. So much so that - as the evidence shows - they swopped DNA with each other. So depending on your ancestry you have a mixture of 1 - 2 other Homo species in your genome. And then there is the lice story ..... you probably don't want to know that one.
In fact the only genetically pure (have only Homo sapiens DNA) people on the planet are those whose ancestry is purely form Africa! ( A fact I'd like to point out to those so called white supremists claiming they are the pure race.....)
Step 4 : Want to find out about who you are made of?? The first presenter is another NZ'er doing great science. (Learn)
Mission 4 : So how "Human" are you? use the information you now have to complete the Not quite so human page of work. (Learn) Not feeling itchy are you?
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
So where do you "come" from? The answer could surprise you.
So we've been talking a lot about genetic change - but in reality us humans have very little genetic diversity. This is an indication of how (relatively speaking) short an amount of time our species has been on the planet.
But if we originated in Africa, then that is where we have been the longest = therefore should have the greatest genetic diversity .... so what does the data show us.
Step 5 : Try to make sense of what you now know and can see in the data below. (Learn)
Mission 5 : After making sense of all of this answer the questions on Genetic diversity and Dispersal models in your books. (Learn)
Which dispersal theory do you support - have you changed from before?
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
So that is our biological evolutionary journey. In the data above it has a section on tools - different tool "cultures" They use that to support evidence for how our ancestors populated the globe.
That make the next stage in our evolutionary journey - the evolution of Culture. This is the how we do stuff phase.
Step 6 : Have another look at the information below to remind yourself about what cultural evolution can be about. (Learn)
Mission 6 : Now its your turn to figure out what exactly is cultural evolution is - read and complete the work on Cultural Evolution in your workbooks. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
As it was in the genetic evolution story we are looking a trends here to. Lets begin with tool made form stone - where did that begin and where has it taken us.
Step 7 : Technology evolves faster than biology as we can see from the changes made in the ways tools were made and the types of stone used. But when does it stop being a rock and become a tool? Have a look and you decide. (Learn)
Mission 7 : There is a lot to read and soak up here as you answer the tool questions, but start as they did = simply and slowly get more complex. Look at locations too - follow the journey in more ways than one. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
There are a variety of methods used to make these tools plus certain types of tools are associated with different time/culture periods.
Step 8 : have a look at how these tools could be made and who were using them and how. (Learn)
Mission 8 : There is a lot of information here but now you can finish the questions on Stone tool manufacture and Levallois method - Advanced tool manufacture. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
Lets add more technology - Fire - probably first from natural fires and then fully mastered with lighting through various methods eg sparks from banging certain rocks together - where did they learn that one??
Challenge 1 : How many ways can you find to light a fire using "Primitive" technology? (Share)
Step 9 : Now using that information and what is here below get ready for your next mission. (Learn)
Mission 9 : Read and complete the work on Using Fire in your workbooks. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
Tools, mastery of fire, hunting - did one come before the other? Or did they co - evolve together?
Picture this - a group sitting around a fire = light, warmth, protection - eating food together and sharing information - how ever that was done. This was our first classroom - the birthplace of language, art, etc.
From the tools and remains of animals found, we can deduce that a variety of hunting methods and weapons were being used. Plus trace a progression of both the complexity of the weapons and the hunting methods used. Not everything is preserved for us to find = why we have studied groups of people still living traditionally = can get an idea of how things may have been done in the past.
Step 10 : Have a look at this interpretation of the evidence. (Learn)
Mission 10 : Taking the information shared and what you can read in your workbook answer the questions on Hunting. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
Fossil evidence shows that through the actions of our early human ancestors a large number of large animals (megafauna) became extinct.
As our ancestors were following their prey species they found shelter or created their own. Although we call them "Cavemen" they were any but cave dwellers. Yes Caves were used as shelters = and are still there today - so are the first places to look, but many other types of shelters were used or created. Plus they put to use what they had obtained form their hunting = started to create clothing.
Step 11 : Have a look at the information here below, Oetzi the "Iceman" wants to help you. (Learn)
Mission 11 : Now also read what is in your books and answer the questions there on Shelters and Clothing. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
So as "we" wiped out food species and the climate changed and warmed our ancestors lifestyle changed with it. W were able to grow food year round rather than follow the animals or the food as it grew. With our shelter building skill settlements and agriculture came into being along with the farming of the first domesticated animals - why chase it when you can walk into the paddock and collect it.
Step 12 : Settlements and domestic animals did they happen together? or ?? have a look ate these and begin your own journey the second clip is the start of a series that you may want to follow further. (Learn)
Mission 12 : Make your own mind up as you answer the questions on From Hunters to Farmers and Domestication of Animals. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
So now "we" have settled down - we have a comfortable place to live, not so much of a struggle to find food and stay alive. A fire to sit around = we have "spare" time to think about more than just staying alive.
Language is used to transmit ideas = the first teachers. We have time to get creative = Art. We start to ponder the really "big" questions - what happens when we die = spirituality.
Step 13 : lets have a look at what we know about that. (Learn)
This is sort of the Stone age stage that the Maori were at when the first European settlers arrived - living in villages with gardens, but still semi nomadic following food sources. A well developed art and language. Plus very much contemplating their spirituality. Have you ever heard of the "Lady of the Lake"?? Compare her to the burial picture above.
Mission 13 : Your turn to get contemplative as you complete the work on Art, Language and speech and Death and spirituality. (Learn)
Done that? = Share with your teacher.
Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.
No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.
Here is a power point that reviews and summarises all of this topic - its worth going through before your Final Mission. Don't forget to go back to the start of the topic and make sure you can complete all the definitions. (Learn)
Cultural Evolution.pptFinal Mission : Using the information you now have answer the end of topic review questions on the Dispersal and Cultural evolution of Hominins. (Learn)
Report abuse