Human Origins: Searching for Our Fossil Ancestors
Permanent exhibit
Science/Social studies, Grades 6-12
Time required: 30-45 minutes
Hobbit Skull
Skeletons, skulls, stone tools, and cave art illustrate the story of human origins, and the physical and cultural changes leading to modern humans. Docent or staff led programs include discussions of homologous structures, adaptations, tool use, survival and extinction, and continuing skeletal changes. Embedded inquiry and engineering/technology expectations are met in discussions of new finds such as the “Hobbit” (skull added 2009), dating methods, and current human genetic research.
Tennessee Science Curriculum
Standard 2 – Interdependence; Standard 4 – Heredity; Standard 5 – Biodiversity and Change; Standard 6 – Comparative Anatomy and Physiology
Specific grade level and course expectations:
- 8 – GLE 0807.5.1, .5.3, .5.5
- Biology I – CLE 3210.2.3, .4.7, .5.2, .5.3, .5.4, .5.6
- iology II – CLE 3216.2.1, .5.2, .6.1
- Earth Science – CLE 3204.4.1, .4.3, .4.4
- Ecology – CLE 3255.1.1, .1.2, .2.3, .3.2
- Geology – CLE 3205.4.1, .4.3-5
- Anatomy & Physiology – CLE 3251.2.1
Tennessee Social Studies Curriculum
- 6 – 6.1.03, 6.5.01, 6.5.02, 6.5.03
- World history – 1.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.10
- Ancient history – 1.1, 1.2