Prehistoric times are time periods which came before written records began.

A fossil is the remains or imprint of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock.

Evidence is information which helps us to prove that something is true or not true.

Your ancestor lived in the past and is directly related to you.

The skull is the name for the bones of the head.

Human skulls: using evidence from the past (non-statutory)

Science

In this Evolution and inheritance unit, pupils learn that, normally, offspring vary and are not identical to parents. In the Heredity and DNA unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about how genes and chromosomes work. 

In the New life unit, pupils learnt that animals, including humans have offspring which grow into adults. In this Evolution and Inheritance unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to parents

This unit explores how living things have changed over time, using fossils as evidence of past life. It covers how offspring vary from parents and how adaptation leads to evolution. Emphasis is on planning scientific enquiries, recording data, and evaluating scientific evidence.

Evolution and inheritance

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

We call the time period before written records of human life began {{}} times.

Two of these skulls are from prehistoric times, one is a modern day skull. Which is the modern day skull?

What can scientists who study prehistoric humans use to gather evidence about how our ancestors have changed over time?

How long has it taken for the shape of human skulls to change so that the jaw is smaller and there is more room for a larger brain?

Which of these changes have been observed in the skulls of humans over millions of years?

Our diet is made up of softer, more processed food now.

Our diet is made up of harder, more chewy food now.

Our teeth are better looked after by dentists now.

Our teeth are brushed more thoroughly now.

What do scientists suggest is a possible reason for modern human skulls having smaller jaws and teeth than those from millions of years ago?

Which arrow is pointing to the jaw on this skull?

The remains or imprints of living things that are sometimes preserved in rock are called ...

movement, digestion and sensing the world around us

movement, protection and sensing the world around us

a thing that will live many years in the future

a thing which lived in the past as part of your family

living things that are alive at the same time

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Human skulls: using evidence from the past (non-statutory)

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.