Session 1. Explaining How Physical Geography Influenced the Lives of Early Humans
In this learning activity students examine images in order to determine how early humans used the environment. Students use skills of observation to identify details in the images and then place them in eight categories: location, migration, physical geography, shelter, settlements, food acquisition, technological advancements, and social advancements. After students have learned the characteristics of the Neolithic and Paleolithic eras, they determine whether or not the images depict life in the Paleolithic or Neolithic Era. Throughout this learning activity students are challenged to make inferences and draw conclusions supported by evidence from the images.
Key Questions
- How did early humans use the environment to meet their basic needs?
- How did hunter gatherer and agricultural societies differ in their use of the land.
Note: The following files contain layered pdfs. In order to manipulate the layers, each file must be downloaded to your computer. Attachment F tells you how to use a layered pdf.
Lesson
Lesson with attachments (This is the full lesson will all the following parts included. It is large file and should be downloaded (right-click on link) and viewed in Adobe Reader.
Attachments
- Attachment A: World Map: color; image map
- Attachment B: Comparing Paleolithic and Neolithic Peoples
- Attachment C: Placards for Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras
- Attachment D: Placards Answer Key on Comparative Table of Paleolithic and Neolithic Eras
- Attachment E: Background Knowledge Teacher Notes
- Attachment F: Using Layered Portable Document Files (pdfs)
Additional Maps
- Early Settlements and Available Water
- Early Settlements with Topography and dots for cities
- Early Settlements (black and white outline map)
- Migration Paths Out of Africa
- Pathways from East Africa to Europe
- Pathways of Migration
- Complete set (all maps on one pdf)
Return to World History and Geography to 1500 A.D. (C.E.) page.
