Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- scavenged /SKA-vnjd/
- carcass /KAHR-kuhs/
- interference /in-ter-FEER-uhns/
- rudimentary /roo-duh-MEN-tuh-ree/
- ingenuity /in-juh-NOO-i-tee/
[adjective] – collected or obtained from discarded, dead, or abandoned sources
He used scavenged materials to build the shelter.
[noun] – the body of a dead animal, especially a large one that is soon to be cut up as meat or eaten by wild animals
The vultures circled above the carcasses of animals left behind by the drought.
[noun] – the act of getting involved in a situation where it is not wanted or needed
The referee penalized the player for interference during the game.
[adjective] – basic, simple, or not fully developed
The villagers built a rudimentary shelter using bamboo and palm leaves.
[noun] – the ability to invent or create new ideas and solutions
The engineer’s ingenuity led to the development of a more efficient solar panel.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A significant archaeological discovery in Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge has pushed back the timeline for ancient bone tool use by approximately one million years. A newly uncovered collection of 27 carved and sharpened bones from elephants and hippos provides compelling evidence that early humans regularly used animal bones to craft cutting tools around 1.5 million years ago. Previous findings indicated that early humans created stone tools as early as 3.3 million years ago, but this latest revelation expands the known complexity of their technological capabilities. Published in Nature, the study highlights that ancient humans possessed a more sophisticated toolkit than previously believed. The research suggests that early human ancestors, potentially Homo erectus, Homo habilis, or Paranthropus boisei, deliberately selected and modified specific bones, demonstrating a systematic approach to tool production.
Analysis of the artifacts revealed a consistent manufacturing process. Large and heavy leg bones were intentionally broken, and a stone tool was used to shape them, producing one sharpened edge and one pointed tip. Researchers suggest that these implements functioned as handheld blades rather than projectile weapons, facilitating the butchering of scavenged carcasses. Some tools exhibit evidence of repeated flake removal, indicating meticulous craftsmanship. Minimal signs of natural erosion or animal interference further affirm human intervention in shaping these tools. This discovery underscores the cognitive and technological advancement of early humans, challenging prior assumptions about the rudimentary nature of their tool-making skills. By broadening the understanding of early human ingenuity, these findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on hominin evolution and adaptation.
Analysis of the artifacts revealed a consistent manufacturing process. Large and heavy leg bones were intentionally broken, and a stone tool was used to shape them, producing one sharpened edge and one pointed tip. Researchers suggest that these implements functioned as handheld blades rather than projectile weapons, facilitating the butchering of scavenged carcasses. Some tools exhibit evidence of repeated flake removal, indicating meticulous craftsmanship. Minimal signs of natural erosion or animal interference further affirm human intervention in shaping these tools. This discovery underscores the cognitive and technological advancement of early humans, challenging prior assumptions about the rudimentary nature of their tool-making skills. By broadening the understanding of early human ingenuity, these findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on hominin evolution and adaptation.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever tried making or using a tool by yourself, like carving wood or sharpening an object? If so, what did you make, and how did you use it? If not, what kind of tool would you like to try making?
- Have you ever seen or visited a museum with ancient tools or artifacts? If so, what was the most interesting thing you saw? If not, would you like to visit one? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that early humans were more intelligent than we used to think?
- Why do you think early humans started using bones as tools instead of just using stones?
- What does this discovery tell us about human problem-solving skills in the past?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- tool
- ancient
- artifact
- technological
- early human