Curated OER
The Earliest Humans
Study the wonder and science that leads us to our human past. From Darwin and Huxley's assertions regarding the origin of the species to the discoveries at Oldivi Gorge, this PowerPoint is sure to interest your class. They'll learn about...
Curated OER
Investigating Our Past: Where Did Humans Come From?
Investigate the theories of human evolution. In this research based lesson, learners research and discuss how geographic isolation, interbreeding, generalization, and specialization are factors in the history of humans. Groups work...
Curated OER
The Origin of Humans
Where did human beings come from? How did they settle into communities and civilizations? Your class will find the answers in this fascinating presentation, which takes the viewer through the stages of mankind, from the primitive...
Curated OER
What is Classification?
In this classification instructional activity, students describe the difference between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens. Then they define taxonomy and explain what was wrong with Aristotle's method of classification. Students also describe...
Curated OER
Toward Civilization
Students are asked to define the term civilization. They work in small groups, each group is given the option of researching either the Neanderthal civilization or that of ancient Egypt. Students apply their definition to two different...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: The Origin of the Genus Homo
The evolution of the Genus Homo is neatly laid out in a chronological fashion beginning with the key change that signaled the origin of Homo, through the evolutionary forms, finalizing with Homo sapiens.
Other
Big History Project: Chapter 4: Humans
Big History Project takes a comprhensive look at humans. From evolution to migration, agriculture to complex civilizations, students and teachers will be intrigued by this interactive learning module.
Talk Origins Archive
Talkorigins: Biography: Donald Johanson
A biography of Donald Johanson, an anthropologist who has discovered many homo erectus skeletons.
Other
Fossil Record
This effective site traces the history of modern man from his early ancestors (Australopithecus Afarensis) to Homo Sapiens sapiens.
Other
Washington State University: Hominid Species Timeline
This complete resource contains a chronological chart that shows the main hominid species and their approximate relationships in time. A description of each hominid is included as well.
Archaeological Institute of America
Early Homo Erectus Tools in China
An article which describes a fossil site in eastern China where evidence has been found that Home erectus may have been active in eastern China some 400,000 years earlier than scientists believed. The authors also summarize the debate...
Nature Research
News @ Nature: Flores Man
Site from News @ Nature provides the story of the remarkable discovery on the Island of Flores, Flores Man. See a great picture of the skull and read explanations and reflections from the leading palaeoanthropologists on the dig.
BiologyWise
Biology Wise: A Comparative Analysis: Homo Habilis vs. Homo Erectus
Describes Homo habilis and Homo erectus, two early ancestors of humans. Discusses how they were discovered, their characteristics, and what we know about them, with the information clearly laid out in a chart along with some comparative...
BBC
Bbc: The Story of Afrca: Early History
A brief article detailing theories of Africa's early rich history.
Talk Origins Archive
Talk Origins: The Hominid Species
Talk Origins gives a broad description of the types of Hominid species, and then gives a description of each species. Includes the specific characteristics of each, and explains the differences between the species.
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science: The Oldest Known Campfires?
A short article reporting on the discovery at an archaeological dig of an apparent human-controlled fire from 790,000 years ago. This early human would have been hominids.