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What is Irrigation?

3 Oct
Here are two videos on the history of irrigation in the Middle East region. They will help you to understand what this term means and how it changed farming.

The Agricultural Revolution

3 Oct

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These are good video clips which give an overview of what we are learning in Chapter 2, Lesson 2 – Learning to Farm and Raise Animals. Comment and tell me something interesting you learned in the videos.  Think about: How did agriculture change the way people lived together?  What is a negative aspect of slash and burn agriculture (there are many videos on Youtube on this topic).

Stone Age Humor

1 Oct

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Enjoy the Early Human/Stone Age cartoons!  If you find any good cartoons, send them to your teacher, and we will put them on our blog. 

Iceman Song & Project

30 Sep
As we finish up our lesson on the Iceman and hunters and gatherers, I will post a funny video of a song I found on Youtube last night.  Remember that your Otzi/Early Humans mini-project is due tomorrow and that you should be prepared to share it in class.  I will give you some poster paper, and you can attach your printed documents. You can print documents in the library before class if you need to.  We will begin lesson 2 on early farmers tomorrow.

Iceman Murder Mystery (PBS)

27 Sep
Program Description: He’s been dead for more than 5,000 years and poked, prodded, and probed by scientists for the last 20. Yet Ötzi the Iceman, the famous mummified corpse pulled from a glacier in the Italian Alps, continues to keep many secrets. Now, through an autopsy like none other, scientists will attempt to unravel mysteries about this ancient mummy, revealing not only the details of Ötzi’s death but also an entire way of life. How did people live during Ötzi’s time, the Copper Age? What did they eat? What diseases did they cope with? Join NOVA as we defrost the ultimate time capsule—the 5,000-year-old man.  
Many of you wanted to watch the end of this TV program. For your viewing pleasure, as you work on your hunter-gatherer/Ice Man mini-project, I have posted the program for you to watch.  I think this program was fascinating.  Did the program end the way your expected? Is there anything else you learned about the Iceman?  Please comment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1IGmjZfcOE&feature=player_embedded#t=15

 

The Ice Man Murder Mystery – Vote now!

25 Sep
We have been studying hunters and gatherers, and we have learned about Otzi, the Ice Man and the mystery behind his death.  Archaeologists, along with scientists, have four theories about how Otzi died. Read the four theories sent to you as  a Google Document.  Read and discuss the theories in your group and vote here.   Also, you must add a comment and write why you chose one of the theories.  Give details and explain why you voted for your theory.  You have also watched the Otzi Murder Mystery documentary. Think about what you have learned, before writing your comment.  When adding a comment, only write your first name and add your email address.
Sentence starter:  In my opinion, I think Otzi……(state which theory you think it was and support your opinion with 2-3 supporting details).  Convince me why you think YOU are right!

Ancient Rock Art in Utah

25 Sep

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Here are some photos I took last summer when I was traveling in Utah and the American Southwest.  They remind me of some of the photos on page 54 of your textbook.  Prehistoric art is among the oldest art in the world.  These photos are mostly from Capitol Reef National Park. They are examples of ancient art from the Fremont people.  According to the National Park website, the Fremont people were hunters and gatherers.  Fremont and ancestral Puebloan people began to incorporate farming into their hunter and gatherer lifestyles approximately 2,000 years ago. Petroglyph panels throughout the park depict or show ancient art and stories of these people who lived in the area from approximately 600-1300 common era (CE). The article goes on to say:
Pictographs (painted on rock surfaces) and petroglyphs (carved or pecked into the rock surface) depict people, animals and other shapes and forms on rock surfaces. Anthropomorphic (human-like) figures usually have trapezoidal shaped bodies with arms, legs and fingers. The figures are often elaborately decorated with headdresses, ear bobs, necklaces, clothing items and facial expressions. A wide variety of zoomorphic (animal-like) figures include bighorn sheep, deer, dogs, birds, snakes and lizards. Abstract designs, geometric shapes and handprints are also common. Designs may have recorded religious or mythological events, migrations, hunting trips, resource locations, travel routes, celestial information and other important knowledge. 

The Use of Fire & Migration

24 Sep
Around 500,000 year ago, early humans learned to make and control fire.  We learned some ways they used fire.  Do they mention any other uses for fire in the first video?  We have also learned about early human migration. The second video is on the migration of animals today (National Geographic TV program) and the last video is on human migration today and its effects on the world. Comment and share your opinion. Why do people migrate today?  Answer one or both of the questions.

Otzi, the Ice Man

16 Sep
In class today, we learned about Otzi, the Ice Man, who was discovered by hikers in the Alps in 1991.  Artifacts that were discovered with his body are amazing, and they have helped historians learn more about the life of early humans.  Click HERE to look at photos of some of these artifacts and click HERE to see a slideshow about this amazing discovery.  Otzi is at the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology in Italy. You can find more information using the links at the museum. Here are some other articles:
The Ice Man Mummy: Finally Face to Face
Ice Man Mummy Finds his Closest Relatives