Week 2 (Slide 21) Flashcards
According to the map, which route did anatomically modern humans likely use to enter North America?
A) Atlantic Crossing
B) Beringia Route
C) Northern Route through Europe
D) Southern Route through Australia
B
Define “pristine environment” in the context of human expansion.
A “pristine environment” refers to an untouched, natural state of the environment, free from human influence or alteration.
Why might the concept of a “pristine environment” be considered incorrect in the context of human expansion?
As humans spread and the ice retreated, humans and the environment likely influenced each other, meaning few environments remained untouched by human activity.
During which period did modern humans begin to spread across new territories, as ice sheets retreated?
A) Holocene
B) Anthropocene
C) Pleistocene
D) Mesozoic
C
True or False: Environments into which humans spread were entirely unaffected by their presence.
False – Humans likely impacted and modified these environments, meaning they evolved alongside human expansion rather than remaining untouched.
Yes or No
Can we consider all ancient ecosystems pristine and unaffected by humans?
No – As humans spread, they altered ecosystems through activities like hunting, gathering, and modifying landscapes, which influenced the natural environment.
How might human activities have evolved “hand-in-hand” with the environment during the Pleistocene?
Humans adapted to different environments and, in turn, modified landscapes, hunted species, and influenced ecosystems, creating a dynamic interaction with their surroundings.
What role did the retreat of ice play in human expansion and environmental change?
The retreat of ice opened new territories for human migration, where humans began to interact with and shape these newly available ecosystems.
Which activity is NOT likely to have contributed to environmental changes as humans spread?
A) Hunting large mammals
B) Constructing extensive urban infrastructure
C) Setting fires to manage landscapes
D) Gathering plant resources
B
What does it mean for the environment to “evolve hand-in-hand with humans”?
It means that the environment and humans influenced each other reciprocally, with human activities shaping ecosystems and ecosystems affecting human behaviors and adaptations.
