Unit 1: Early Human History

Question 1

What were the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras characterized by?

Answer 1

The Paleolithic era was characterized by hunting and gathering. The Neolithic era was characterized by farming.

Question 2

The Neolithic era came before the Paleolithic, true or false?

Answer 2

False.

Question 3

From 20,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE, what was happening to global temperatures?

Answer 3

They were rising.

Question 4

Where did the early homo sapiens [human] species most likely originate from?

Answer 4

Africa.

Question 5

What is a false reason large mammals went extinct 10,000 years ago?

Answer 5

A FALSE reason would be that a deadly virus spread amongst the populations.

Question 6

What animals were humans chasing across Beringia into North America?

Answer 6

Steppe bison and woolly mammoths.

Question 7

What two major events that proudly influenced the development of humanity thousands of years ago?

Answer 7

The extinction of big mammals and geographic isolation.

Question 8

Why did camels and horses go extinct in the Americas?

Answer 8

When humans were crossing the land bridge, camels and horses were crossing the other way, OUT of America.

Question 9

What is a FAKE way humans adapted to the loss of large mammals in Northern regions?

Answer 9

A FAKE way is that they started hunting them. That doesn’t make much sense added up, huh?

Question 10

What was the first permanent settlement in America known as?

Answer 10

Poverty Point.

Question 11

What was a characteristic thought to be consistent with hunter-gatherer tribes, but that the people of Poverty Point disproved?

Answer 11

Growing corn.

Question 12

What was the single most important crop that fueled human development in America?

Answer 12

Corn, or maize.

Question 13

What is the name of corn’s ancient ancestor?

Answer 13

Teosinte.

Question 14

The original ancestor of corn was less sweet, true or false?

Answer 14

True.

Question 15

The original ancestor of corn was smaller, true or false?

Answer 15

True.

Question 16

What is NOT a reason corn cultivation helped early humans survive in America?

Answer 16

A reason it did NOT help was that it was rich in protein and fat, essential to a growing population. Remember, this reason is FAKE.

Question 17

Which tribe was NOT a member of Southwestern tribes and cultures?

Answer 17

The Cahokians were NOT a Southwestern tribe.

Question 18

Which form of categorization is not used to differentiate ancient tribes?

a. The style of buildings/architecture
b. The style of art and pottery
c. The types of tools they used
d. Burial rites/traditions

Answer 18

They ALL are correct. All can and are oftentimes used.

Question 19

Which ancient Southwestern culture was known for matrilineal [female] succession?

Answer 19

The Pueblo, or the Anasazi.

Question 20

True or False? Ancient Southwestern groups were not known for huge population, but rather being able to survive and thrive in the harsh dryness and heat of the desert.

Answer 20

True.

Question 21

Which ancient city was the pinnacle of Mississippian culture before European conquest in America?

Answer 21

Cahokia.

Question 22

At Cahokia’s height in 1150 AD, about how many people lived there?

Answer 22

10,000-40,000 people.

Question 23

About how many years ago did Mesoamericans start domesticating/selectively breeding ancient grasses into modern-day corn?

Answer 23

7,000-10,000 years ago.

Question 24

True or False? There were distinct class divisions in Cahokia. The elites lived in bigger homes/had richer diets/etc.

Answer 24

True.

Question 25

True or False? In addition to a ranking system, the chieftain of Cahokia was considered the moon’s brother.

Answer 25

False. You probably thought it was true, lol.

Question 26

Probably True or False? Cahokia had enemies.

Answer 26

Probably true.

Question 27

True or False? Many believe Cahokia had enemies because it had a three-mile long palisade [a long wooden stick wall with pointy sticks poking out in order to keep intruders out].

Answer 27

True.

Question 28

What was NOT a purpose of Woodhenge?

Answer 28

Something that was NOT a purpose of Woodhenge was climbing the poles and conducting rituals on top of them.

Question 29

True or False? Cahokians were religious and conducted rituals/built temples on top of mounds.

Answer 29

True.

Question 30

What is NOT a reason civil centers all over North America were collapsing?

Answer 30

Civil unrest is a FALSE reason this had happened.

Question 31

True or False? By 1500, there was no longer communication or cooperation with other tribes. They lived in isolation and trading routes were abolished.

Answer 31

True.

Question 32

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 32

The direct modification of an organisms genome, a list of specific traits stored in the DNA of that organism.

Question 33

True or False? Genetically modified organisms are called GMO’s.

Answer 33

True.

Question 34

What major events occured making GMO’s a modern-day thing and part of normal life?

Answer 34

1) The first genetically modified bacteria were created.
2) The first GM mice were created.
3) The first commercial sales of GMO’s. (insulin-producing bacterias)
4) The first sales of GM fish food.
5) The first sales of GM pets. (Glofish, look it up.)

Question 35

What is NOT a legitimate method of genetic modification?

Answer 35

Plastic surgery is an ILLEGITIMATE method of genetic modification, meaning it couldn’t happen.