Origin of man
1997 p2 qn 15 (a) Describe two theories about the origin of
human beings
i.
Evolution theory maintain that Human beings evolved
from ape- like creatures and developed through adaptation over a long period of
time.
ii.
The creation theory- according to many world
religious e.g. Christianity Islam and Judaism the human race was created by God
at a specific time in history to fulfil God’s purpose.
iii. The Mythical (traditional) Theory. This is an
attempt by individuals or communities of people to explain their origin. It is
given through Oral Traditions, myths and legends. It mainly states that the
first people were created by God.
2005 p2 qn 1. State
one theory that explains the origin of people
i.
The evolution theory.
ii.
The creation theory.
iii.
Mythical or traditional theory/ oral
traditions theory.
Ø
This is an attempt by individuals or
communities of people to explain their origin. It is given through Oral
Traditions, myths and legends. It mainly states that the first people were
created by God.
2012 p2 qn2. Name one source of information on the
Creation Theory
i.
Bible
ii.
The Koran
2010 p2 qn 1. State
the scientific theory that explains the origin of human beings.
- The
Evolution theory/Darwin
2009 p2 qn 3 explain Charles Darwin’s theory of
evolution
Simple life forms
gradually develop into higher forms of life over millions of years
What is evolution?
Ø
Evolution is a natural process of gradual and
continuous change of living organisms from a lower (simpler) state to a
better-adapted (complex) and superior one.
Identify four distinct
stages in which evolution took place according to Charles Darwin.
Ø Mutation- is an abrupt
change in the form of a living thing as dictated by the climatic or genetic
components of the living thing involved.
Ø Natural selection- is an instinct by which the
stronger species out-compete the weaker ones for resources.
Ø Isolation.
Ø Adaptation.
State the principles of Natural Selection.
Ø All organisms are
uniquely different, based on hereditary factors each has from birth.
Ø Although many
organisms are produced, few manage to develop to maturity.
Ø Only organisms that
constantly adapt to the existing environment manage to grow to maturity and
reproduce. For instance, the Amoeba, which may have survived only in water,
changed by mutation and cast a protective shell (cyst) around its body, which
enabled it to survive when the climate changed and became dry.
Ø Even after mutation,
only the fittest organisms could survive as the weak became extinct due to
limited resources. This theory came to be popularly known as Survival for the
Fittest.
Ø As species emerging
from mutation and natural selection increase in number, search for basic needs
intensifies. Some few species take on a significantly different form through
adaptation to the new environment as they get isolated from the rest.
Ø Darwin’s theory of
evolution is supported by almost all scientists, particularly palaeontologists.
It holds that human beings belong to the Animal Kingdom and that Man is a
primate as are apes like gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys, although apes
belong to the family Pongidae while human beings are in the Hominidae family.
Name the
archaeological sites in Kenya.
Ø Rusinga Island,
Ø Fort Ternan near
Kericho,
Ø Kariandusi near
Elmentaita,
Ø Gambles Cave,
Ø Olorgesailie,
Ø Koobi-Fora near Lake
Turkana,
Ø Hyrax Hill,
Ø Kanjiri
Ø Njoro River Cave.
Name the
archaeological sites in Tanzania.
Ø Garusi,
Ø Olduvai Gorge,
Ø Peninj,
Ø Apis Rock,
Ø Isimila
Ø Eyasi.
Ø Nsongezi,
Ø Nyero,
Ø Napaka,
Ø Magosi,
Ø Paraa,
Ø Ishango,
Ø Mweya,
Ø Nyabusora.
Identify/name
archaeological sites outside East Africa.
Ø Fayum depression in
Egypt.
Ø Taung in Botswana.
Ø Omo River valley in
Ethiopia.
Ø The Afar depression in
Ethiopia.
Ø Hadar in Ethiopia.
Ø Tenerife in Algeria.
Ø Bodo in Ethiopia.
Ø Matupi cave in Shaba
province of Congo DRC.
Ø Kalambo falls in
Zambia.
Ø Orangia in southern
Africa.
Ø Dar Es Sultan cave in
southern Africa.
Ø Apollo II caves in
Orange state in South Africa.
2005 p1 qn 1Name two pre- historic sites in Kenya.
i.
Olorgesaille
ii.
Kariandusi
iii.
Fort Ternan
iv.
Koobi Fora/Turkana
v.
Hyrax Hill.
vi.
Rusinga Island
vii.
Gambles
Cave (Njoro) Any 2x1 = (2marks)
2008 p1 qn 1 Identify
two ways through which archaeologists obtain information on the history of
Kenya.
i. Excavating the sites
ii. Dating the fossils
iii. Recording the findings
iv. Locating pre-sites
