Question

reading guide finding our past 1. define prehistory. answer. 2. complete this chart to briefly describe the methods scientists use to study the lives of early humans method description radiocarbon dating paleomagnetic dating potassium - argon dating dna analysis 3. describe the migration of early humans. answer 4. who studies artifacts - objects left behind by human or human ancestors?

Explanation:

1. Prehistory refers to the time before written records. It encompasses the long - span of human existence before the advent of writing systems.

2.

• Radiocarbon dating: Measures the decay of carbon - 14 in organic materials to determine age, useful for dating artifacts up to about 50,000 years old.
• Paleomagnetic dating: Relies on the Earth's magnetic field changes over time, recorded in rocks and sediments, to date geological and archaeological materials.
• Potassium - argon dating: Used for dating rocks and minerals by measuring the ratio of radioactive potassium to its decay product argon, applicable for very old materials (millions of years).
• DNA analysis: Compares genetic material from ancient remains to understand human migrations, relationships, and characteristics of early humans.

1. Early human migrations involved the movement of Homo sapiens from their origin in Africa to other parts of the world. Initially, they migrated to Eurasia, then to Southeast Asia, Australia, the Americas, etc. over thousands of years, driven by factors like climate change, availability of resources, and curiosity.
2. Archaeologists study artifacts left behind by human or human ancestors.

Answer:

1. Prehistory is the period of human history before the development of writing systems.

2.

• Radiocarbon dating: Measures carbon - 14 decay in organic materials for age determination.
• Paleomagnetic dating: Uses Earth's magnetic field changes recorded in rocks for dating.
• Potassium - argon dating: Dates rocks/minerals by potassium - argon ratio for old materials.
• DNA analysis: Compares ancient genetic material for human migration/characteristic study.

1. Early humans migrated from Africa to Eurasia, Southeast Asia, Australia, Americas etc. over time due to various factors.
2. Archaeologists.