Becoming Human Episode 1 Analysis
ANTH M01 Online Name:
Messinger
Film Assignment, “Nova Becoming Human Episode 1: First Steps”
The following assignment is based on the film “Becoming Human Episode 1: First Steps.” You may access the film in the following ways:
1. It is available for free on the PBS website at the following address: http://video.pbs.org/video/1312522241/ 2. It is available instantly through Netflix (where you may temporarily set up a free account for a few weeks if you are not a member).
Please use complete sentences to answer the following questions and type your answers on this form. You should submit this assignment to the “First Steps” dropbox using the “Assignments” tab by Sun 4/1 at 11:59 P.M. Please submit this file as a .doc, …show more content…
Where is the Afar located?
Afar is one of the nine Regional States of Ethiopia and is located in north eastern Africa. It is a part of the great rift valley (deep cut in earth where geological forces are ripping Africa apart).
2. How did researchers figure out how old the “Selam” fossil was?
Clues to the age of the fossil came from key features in the landscape; such as the white bands of volcanic ash that dated 3.4 million years ago. If the white bands of volcanic ash are 3.4 million years old then the fossil must be younger because it was found above it. Therefore, the fossil was approximately 3.3 million years old.
3. How did researchers figure out how old the fossil child Selam was when she died? How old was she?
Researchers looked at Selam's teeth in order to find out how old she was when she died. They did not look at the baby teeth that were visible in her jaw; they looked her adult teeth that were growing inside the bone. From that observation researchers know Selam died when she was three years old.
4. What are the human-like components of the “Lucy” skeleton? What are the ape-like …show more content…
- Not as much sun beating on the body.
* Most compelling hypothesis is that it saved us energy.
7. What is the molecular clock and how is it used to determine when two species last shared a common ancestor?
It is a simple idea that the rate of change in DNA sequences is more or less constant over time - a way of determining if and when two species shared a common ancestor.
By counting the differences in the genetic code between chimps and humans researchers can calculate how long they have been evolving away from each-other. (5-7 years ago humans and apes shared a common ancestor.)
8. What is the clue that the “Toumai” fossil (Sahelanthropus tchadensis) is bipedal?
The vital clue that the "Toumai" fossil is bipedal is how the skull connects to the spine. Researcher Michele could confer that by the shape of Toumai's skull. If the skull is placed on a neck of an ape that walks on all fours its eyes point down ward (not correct). If the skull is placed on an upright spine of a biped its eyes point straight ahead; for Michele this proved that Toumai walked upright.
9. How are the first stone tools identifiable as tools? Who is currently thought to be the first stone tool
Messinger
Film Assignment, “Nova Becoming Human Episode 1: First Steps”
The following assignment is based on the film “Becoming Human Episode 1: First Steps.” You may access the film in the following ways:
1. It is available for free on the PBS website at the following address: http://video.pbs.org/video/1312522241/ 2. It is available instantly through Netflix (where you may temporarily set up a free account for a few weeks if you are not a member).
Please use complete sentences to answer the following questions and type your answers on this form. You should submit this assignment to the “First Steps” dropbox using the “Assignments” tab by Sun 4/1 at 11:59 P.M. Please submit this file as a .doc, …show more content…
Where is the Afar located?
Afar is one of the nine Regional States of Ethiopia and is located in north eastern Africa. It is a part of the great rift valley (deep cut in earth where geological forces are ripping Africa apart).
2. How did researchers figure out how old the “Selam” fossil was?
Clues to the age of the fossil came from key features in the landscape; such as the white bands of volcanic ash that dated 3.4 million years ago. If the white bands of volcanic ash are 3.4 million years old then the fossil must be younger because it was found above it. Therefore, the fossil was approximately 3.3 million years old.
3. How did researchers figure out how old the fossil child Selam was when she died? How old was she?
Researchers looked at Selam's teeth in order to find out how old she was when she died. They did not look at the baby teeth that were visible in her jaw; they looked her adult teeth that were growing inside the bone. From that observation researchers know Selam died when she was three years old.
4. What are the human-like components of the “Lucy” skeleton? What are the ape-like …show more content…
- Not as much sun beating on the body.
* Most compelling hypothesis is that it saved us energy.
7. What is the molecular clock and how is it used to determine when two species last shared a common ancestor?
It is a simple idea that the rate of change in DNA sequences is more or less constant over time - a way of determining if and when two species shared a common ancestor.
By counting the differences in the genetic code between chimps and humans researchers can calculate how long they have been evolving away from each-other. (5-7 years ago humans and apes shared a common ancestor.)
8. What is the clue that the “Toumai” fossil (Sahelanthropus tchadensis) is bipedal?
The vital clue that the "Toumai" fossil is bipedal is how the skull connects to the spine. Researcher Michele could confer that by the shape of Toumai's skull. If the skull is placed on a neck of an ape that walks on all fours its eyes point down ward (not correct). If the skull is placed on an upright spine of a biped its eyes point straight ahead; for Michele this proved that Toumai walked upright.
9. How are the first stone tools identifiable as tools? Who is currently thought to be the first stone tool