UNIT OVERVIEW

This unit explores the story of human evolution—a story that begins in Africa. South Africa holds some of the most important fossil evidence for understanding where modern humans came from.

What you will learn:

By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe fossil evidence for human evolution, including key body features
• Explain genetic and cultural evidence that supports common ancestry
• Discuss the "Out of Africa" hypothesis and its supporting evidence
• Identify major South African fossil sites and their importance
• Compare evolutionary trends across different human ancestor species
• Evaluate alternative explanations for the origin of life
• Distinguish between science and non-science

What you should already know:

• Grade 10: Fossils and how they are dated (relative and absolute dating)
• Grade 12 Term 3: Evolution by natural selection, variation, and gene pools
• Grade 12 Term 1: DNA structure and genetics, mitochondrial DNA inheritance

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