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Overview:
Zeresenay "Zeray" Alemseged, a National Geographic Emerging Explorer, is a paleoanthropologist. What's that? The simple answer is that a paleoanthropologist is a person who studies the origins of humans through fossils and artifacts. However, the field of paleoanthropology is highly complex, with each related discipline influencing and furthering each of the others. Many disciplines of science contribute to the study of early human life. In this lesson, students consider how Dr. Alemseged chose paleoanthropology as his career as they learn more about how different scientists work together to learn about human origins. A primary focus of this lesson is on how bipedalism developed in hominids, and the significance of that development in the quest to understand human origins.
Connections to the Curriculum:
Geography, social studies, science
Connections to the National Geography Standards:
Standard 6: "How culture and experience influence people's perceptions of places and regions"
Standard 14: "How human actions modify the physical environment"
Standard 15: "How physical systems affect human systems"
Standard 17: "How to apply geography to interpret the past"
Time:
Two to three hours
Materials Required:
Objectives:
Students will
- learn about the life and work of Zeray Alemseged;
- explain how Alemseged's cultural and life experiences influenced his career choice and locations of study;
- explore different aspects of paleoanthropology through online resources including an interactive documentary; and
- describe the ways in which bipedalism is thought to have developed in hominids and, in turn, how bipedalism influenced the development of hominids.
Geographic Skills:
Acquiring Geographic Information
Organizing Geographic Information
Analyzing Geographic Information
S u g g e s t e d P r o c e d u r e
Opening:
Show students a map of Africa. Point out the country of Ethiopia and ask students what they know about this country. Take several answers and/or explain to students that this region is one of the best-known for the study of human origins—the history of hominid evolution over the past several million years.
Write the term paleoanthropology on the board. Explain to students that anthropology is the study of human beings—their culture, their behavior, their physical characteristics, and more. Then explain that paleo, meaning "early," appends itself to anthropology to define the study of human origins.
Direct students to National Geographic: Outpost and show them the different areas of the site in which they can find information and resources about how hominids are being studied. Point out the "Interpretation Station" section students will visit later in the lesson.
Development:
Activity 1:
Introduce students to Zeray Alemseged by having them read, or reading to them, a profile of his life and work.
Ask for students' reactions to the information about Alemseged. Why did he choose his field of study? What is one primary reason for his travels back and forth from Germany to Ethiopia today? Ask students to identify ways in which they think Alemseged's early life and education influenced his choice of career.
If your technology supports it, show students the documentary on the Institute of Human Origins' Becoming Human website (Macromedia Flash Player required), a project to which Alemseged contributed while studying at the Arizona State University. Invite students to listen to the documentary and explore some of the related exhibits and resources.
Activity 2:
Ask students if they have ever heard the term bipedalism, and write it on the board. Explain that bipedalism is the process of walking on two feet, in an upright position. In the field of paleoanthropology, this ability is largely seen as one of the key factors distinguishing humans from apes. Have students work with a partner to complete at least two of the following activities to learn more about how bipedalism, including the ability to run, developed in hominids, and why many scientists believe this is the key distinguishing factor separating humans from apes:
- Have students revisit the National Geographic: Outpost feature and explore "Interpretation Station" and "What is a Hominid?" to learn about what other factors distinguish humans from earlier hominids.
- Have students visit Becoming Human (Macromedia Flash Player required) and go to the "Learning Center" to complete the "Building Bodies" interactive activity. As students complete the activity, instruct them to concentrate on one section of the body at a time (e.g., pelvic bones first, then legs, etc.) and pay close attention to the information presented in "Did You Know?" each time they complete related sections of the human and chimpanzee body parts.
- With a partner, have students read the National Geographic News article "Humans were Born to Run, Fossil Study Suggests."
Activity 3:
Some of the earliest evidence of upright walking among hominids was found in the Laetoli footprints. Assign students to do some research into this major paleoanthropological find. Have them consider the questions: Where is Laetoli? What is the significance of the Laetoli footprints?
- Students may refer to the PBS Riddle of the Bones site, showing the locations of Hadar and Laetoli. To navigate through the shockwave site, click "Are they all the same species," then "Learn more," then click map image for larger view.
- For more information about the significance of this discovery, direct students to the PBS Evolution Library's Laetoli Footprints.
Activity 4:
Have students create a song, rap, story, or visual presentation that explains how understanding bipedalism is an important part of paleoanthropology. Students should include references to locations, research finds, and multiple aspects of the topics they will have encountered in their work, including social behavior, anatomy, diet, and environment.
Closing:
Have students discuss the importance of paleoanthropology. Why would someone make this field their life's work? Ask for volunteers to share ideas as to why understanding bipedalism helps us understand human evolution.
Suggested Student Assessment:
Student presentations and displays should reflect an understanding of the ways in which bipedalism may have developed, and its importance in the continued evolution of humans.
Extending the Lesson:
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