Human Migration

INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW: The development of the anatomical and culture complexes associated with Neandertals has a long history within anthropology. Early interpretations held that the Neandertals were primitive and stupid, unable to hunt or compete with modern humans. Anatomically, Neandertals are cold adapted, with skeletal structures associated with living in colder climates. They were accomplished tool users and hunted big game; meat played an important role in their diets. Cultural and technological developments in humans were long thought to have occurred first in Europe. Recent evidence suggests that many of these cultural changes occurred first in Africa, with evidence for exploiting marine food resources seen as early as 75,000 yBP. Student Learning Objectives Describe the anatomical and behavioral characteristics that differentiate and define modern and archaic hominins. Discuss the diversity of the Homo lineage during the Middle Pleistocene DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Please make this a play ground for your mind and mouth. Please answer the following questions to dialogue with your community of learners about information that you found most interesting and important. What is so modern about modern humans? Discuss the evidence for human migration to the Americas, Australia, and the Pacific Islands and the features of fossils found there? use this link to access video for the assignment