Why Are We The Last Humans Standing?

"Last Human Standing."  

Becoming Human. PBS NOVA

. Aug. 2011. Television.

 In Humanities this week we watched an episode from the series Becoming Human called “Last Human Standing.”  It is amazing to know all that has lived before us.  Modern day humans have evolved over millions of years from African apes.  Several other species like homo erectus or australopitheum are some of our early ancestors who also descended from apes.  Homo erectus was the first to leave Africa.  Some migrated to Europe and others to Asia.  We are more advanced than these early ancestors that all died out.  We have more developed brains, bodies, diets, and communication skills and that is why we are the last humans standing.  Homo heidelberg is the closest ancestor to us Homo sapiens.  We are the last humans standing because all of our previous ancestors are extinct.  They died out for many reasons.  For example, they may not have had enough food or were killed by predators, sickness, or due to climate or other environmental changes.  Over time the species that adapted by expanding their diets, language, art, tools, and rituals lived much longer.   Scientists think that some early humans had burial rituals for their dead loved ones.  They would bury them with precious belongings such as tools.  Scientists think that early humans may have had religious beliefs.  In conclusion, I wonder if Homo sapiens will die out one day as well and if so what comes next?

Summary on Grunts to Grammar

Miller, Jeanne.

"From Grunts to Geammar: The Evolution of Language.
" Odyssey: Adventures to science

Oct. 2009: 34,35,36. Print. 

This week in Humanities, we read an article about the development of grammar.  Grammar is so important to our everyday life.   Could you imagine life without words?  Grammar has developed over millions of years.  The development started when the larynx or voice box moved down deeper in our ancestor’s throats.  There is no way to exactly find out when or where grammar started.  As it says in the article, “Spoken words don’t leave fossils.”  Scientist do have theories.  They have looked at different fossils of our ancestors and from that they analyze which things such as tools may have required advanced communication to make.  The first evidence of what scientists think needed complex communication was bones found in Australia.  Scientists know that early humans must have migrated from Asia.  To get to Australia they had to go at least 45 miles by boat.   Early humans had to build that boat and building that type of boat would have needed verbal communication. Scientists have come to a conclusion that grammar was formed 35-40 thousand years ago.  Before grammar was formed our early ancestors must have had to communicate in some sort way before words where formed.   Scientists think these ways where sounds, hand motions, and even facial expressions. In conclusion, I think grammar is one of the most important things in our everyday lives and we would struggle without it.

Summary on Taming Fire

Cox, Mary Beth.

"Taming Fire." Odyssey: Adventures in science

Oct. 2009: 29-30

Fire is one of the most important things on Earth.  Fire has helped us in so many ways for example it cooks the food we eat, it keeps us warm, it provides light and so much more. Fire always has occurred naturally in nature for example wild fires.   About 250,000 years ago, prehistoric men started to use fire in their everyday lives to cook food and to see at night so they could stay up latter then sunset. You may wonder why were early humans weren’t using fire before.  They were afraid of it because they had only seen it in nature.   Another reason is they did not know how to make it. Fire has had a big influence on man kind fire let us move to colder parts of the worlds like Europe. In conclusions fire is very important  and It would be hard to live without it but remember as  Mary Beth Cox said “DO NOT play with fire!!!”

On Our Own Two Feet

Whitt, Stephen. "On Our Own Two Feet."

Adventures in Science Oct. 2009: 26-28

Through the article I read in humanities this week “On our Own Two Feet” I learned a lot about the species that came before us.  There are so many questions yet to be answered about the human species like how we developed to walk on two feet.  Humans have been walking on two feet for about six million years.  This is unusual because most animals walk on four legs or with their arms and feet.  According to one theory by scientist Owen Lovejoy “we started walking to free up our hands and arms for carrying food to our mates.”  My theory is that humans started to walk up right to see better over tall grass.  Scientists have studied the skulls of Australopithecus afarensis, Homo erectus, and Homo sapiens to see how we evolved over time.   Several changes happened throughout time.  The brain cavity got bigger, the face got flatter, and the spine got straighter and the spinal cord entered to our skull at a different point. In conclusion we have changed a lot in six million years.

Who's who Among the Early Hominins

Susman, Randall.

"Who's who Among the Early Hominins?"

Obyssey Adventures in Science Oct. 2009:

22-25. Print.

The article explains the evolution of the many different type’s species that came before us,  modern day humans.  According to the article, “early hominians are often called “ape-men” because of the features they share with apes and with human.”  Hominin remains have been found in many different parts of Africa.  The oldest species date back to 7 million years ago.  Some have also been found in Asia and Europe.  We have developed so much in the past 3 million years up to now.  Scientists compare the brain size, jaw, teeth, nose socket, forehead shape, hands, feet, and bone structure. They also look at other things found with the remains such as tools, animal and plant remains, and evidence that they used fire.  The development of the different types of hominin species overlapped depending on where and when they lived but all died out except for humans.  For example we have developed in height.  A female homo floreslensis skeleton found in Indonesia was a very isolated type of species from 94,000 years ago.  It was only 3 feet 6 inches tall.  In Kenya the skeleton remains of a 6 foot tall boy homo erectus were found that are 1.6 million years old.  In the last 20 years, archeologists have found several bones that help us understand evolution better.  In conclusion, I think we have come a long way from African apes to humans in 7 million years.

Why We Study Human Origins

Why We Study Human Origins

By Randall Susman

Calliope: Exploring World History

In this article I learned  Evolution is the study of human origin.  It is the study of how we came to be. There are many theories of how we evolved and why.  The main theory of evolution today is that both plants and animals change over time to adapt to their changing environments.  This theory was discovered and introduced by Charles Darwin in the 1800’s.  At that time, there was no evidence to prove this theory true.  In the last 100 years we have found fossils and anatomical evidence that may prove that we could be decadents of apes.  Thomas Huxley believed “anatomically, African apes and humans where similar, more similar in fact then apes where to monkeys”.  Scientists have found several fossils from different periods of time.   These show that different types of ape species existed and changed for example knuckle walkers and bipeds.  This evolution of apes to hominids shows the lead up to who we are today humans.  In conclusion, as we learn more about our ancestors from the past we also can look into our future and predict what we might become as our environment continues to change.

Mystery in History Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of the world’s mysteries.  For a very long time archaeologists have been trying to find out why was Stonehenge was built.  They want to know what Stonehenge used for and who used it.  These questions have yet to be answered.  T here are many theories on Stonehenge but none have been proven true. 

 One of the theories is that Stonehenge was used for telling what time of year.   For example, like a calendar the arrangement of the stones could predict the summer solstice and winter equinox as well as full moons and solar eclipse.  Another theory is that it could be a burial ground since lots of human remains have been found there from all over England.  Other theories could explains these remains such as Stonehenge could have been used for human sacrifice or it could have been a place the ill traveled to for its power to cure them.  Finally, some people believe that Stonehenge was built by aliens because it was built so long ago when they didn’t have the technology we do today to lift such heavy objects or move them such a far distance.  

 In conclusion, even though there are many theories about how and why Stonehenge was built archeologists continue to search for evidence to prove which theory is true.          

Human Ancestor May Put Twist in Origin Story, New Studies Say

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/09/110908-apes-humans-evolution-australopithecus-sediba-lee-berger-science/

Ker Than

for National Geographic News

Published September 8, 2011

In the last month archeologists have found two million year old fossils of bones. Archeologists do not know what animal the bones belong to but they do know that the unidentified thing has both characteristics of modern day humans and primates aka monkeys.  They think this unknown species could be in one of the stages through which modern day humans evolved.  There are some things they know for sure of the findings, they know that what the human ancestors were a boy about 15 years old and a 30 year old woman.  They also know that the unknown species died because they fell down a deep crevice which is basically a crack in the land.  They know the woman lived longer then the boy.  Archeologists found that the woman’s hands were similar to humans except that the thumb was longer.  Also, from the feet they could tell that could walk standing up but didn’t do it all the time. in conclusion I hope they found out more about this unknown specs and how they lived in the past.  

How Do Historians Learn About the 
                       Past

Historians learn about the past in multiple ways.  Historians learn about the past in these five ways.  First, they collect information from a variety of sources.  The two kinds sources used by historians are primary and secondary.  An example of a primary source is an official document.  A book is a kind of secondary source.   After collecting information, historian then put their information into categories.  Two examples of categories are written and non-written information.  The third step is to evaluate the sources used by looking at whether the information collected is correct.  Another way to evaluate information from different sources is to answer the 5 W’s – who, what, where, when, and why.   The fourth step is to interpret the information and decide what it all means.  Last but not least, the historian shares with the world what they have found by writing a book or article.  Another way for an historian to share their information is to give a lecture or speech.  These are the five main steps used by historians to learn about the past.

In the past, where did humans tend to settle and why

In the past, humans looked for the best place to settle based on the climate.   Since most people where farmers places where it was very cold or blazing hot all the time were not their main the targets to settle.   People looked for somewhere to settle with a warm climate with a lot of rain for the crops.  in a good climet zone the settle looked for land that is  level because it if better for farming.In conclusion, people tended to settle where they could farm successfully most of the year.

What is History and why do we study it?

 When I think of history, I think of the past.   I think history is mostly about important events that happened in the past.  I think history is also about people who started something very big, like a war, or accomplished something great.  For example, Christopher Columbus is an important person from history because he discovered America.  History is about dates, times, and places.  To be precise history is about important events that happened on a certain day at a certain time in the past.  History is very important and we study it for several reasons.  One reason we study history is to learn about our ancestors and understand what they lived through and experienced.  We also study history to see what mistakes people made in the past so that we don’t make them again in the future.   I think we can use the past to predict our future too. A quote I thought fit the questions was "If you don't like the past change it" by William L. Burton i think this quote means is if you did not like what happened in the past don't try to do it again in the future.  In conclusion, history is not just a bunch of facts there without a reason.  People did not just spend years to find out about the world’s history for no reason.  People study the past to get information that they can share with the world and help make sure we do not make the same mistakes as people did before.

First humanities project of the year

Virginia State flag

Flag of indonesian

In the last few days in humanities class we got to make a presentation on two countries: one from which our passport is from and the other from someplace where we lived or would like to live.  Then we had a list of what we had to put on our presentation poster.  For example, we had to list the population of the country and show the flag.   One of the two countries I chose was Indonesia because for one it is very different then other the places I have been.  But,  the main reason I chose Indonesia is because I lived there for three of years my life and I loved it.   The other country I chose was America, but that is such a big country that I chose a state.  I picked Virginia because I have family there and I visit them often. 

Glogster

wher i live

Where I Live

I live in Belgrade, Serbia. Serbia is a very interesting place to live. I will tell you about the landforms, climate, resources and a little about the history of Belgrade, Serbia. I will start with the climate in Belgrade. Belgrade, Serbia is a 4 season’s climate and the longest season is fall. Next I will tell you about landforms. Serbia is a landlocked country also knows as a country surrounded by other country. In New Belgrade it is mostly flat from what I have seen but on the other side it is a little steep. Now I will tell you a little about the history. Belgrade is most famous form kalamegdan a fort that would protect the city. Kalamegdan sits where the Danube and the Sava River meet. Last but not least I will tell you about the resources that are found in Belgrade Serbia. Belgrade, Serbia is one of Europe biggest supplier of copper. You can all so find other resources such as coal and a little petroleum and much more. And now you know some facts about Belgrade, Serbia.