If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

Main content

Course: Big History Project > Unit 6

Lesson 4: How Did the First Humans Live? | 6.3
Arts and humanities
Big History Project
Early Humans
How Did the First Humans Live? | 6.3
© 2024 Khan AcademyTerms of usePrivacy PolicyCookie Notice

READ: Ales Hrdlicka - Graphic Biography

Google Classroom
An illustrated biography of Aleš Hrdlicka, an anthropologist who both promoted a deeper understanding of human history and impeded collective learning.

Reading 1: Skimming for gist

This will be your quickest read. It should help you get the general idea of what the graphic biography will be about. Pay attention to the title, headings, images, and layout. Ask yourself: what is this graphic biography going to be about?

Reading 2: Understanding content

For this reading, you should be looking for unfamiliar vocabulary words, the major claim and key supporting details, and analysis and evidence. You should also spend some time looking at the images and the way in which the page is designed.
By the end of the second close read, you should be able to answer the following questions:
  1. What was an important contribution that Ales Hrdlicka made to the field of anthropology?
  2. What did Hrdlicka believe to be the timeline of human history in the Americas? According to his writing, why did he think this?
  3. In 1926, archeologists in Folsom, New Mexico discovered evidence that undermined Hrdlicka's timeline. What did they discover, and was was Hrdlicka's response?
  4. In the center of the page, a large image of Hrdlicka is shown blocking a group of early humans moving from Asia toward the Americas. How does the artist use these images to contribute to your understanding of Hrdlicka?

Reading 3: Evaluating and Corroborating

In this read, you should use the graphic biography as evidence to support, extend, or challenge claims made in the course.
At the end of the third read, you should be able to respond to these questions:
  1. What evidence does Ales Hrdlicka's story provide about the way collective learning is built overtime?
  2. How does it support, extend, or challenge what you have already learned about human evolution?
Now that you know what to look for, it’s time to read! Remember to return to these questions once you’ve finished reading.

Ales Hrdlicka: Graphic Biography

Writer: Bennett Sherry
Artist: Thomas Muzzell
An illustrated biography of Aleš Hrdlicka, an anthropologist who both promoted a deeper understanding of human history and impeded collective learning.
Download the Graphic Biography PDF here or click on the image above.

Want to join the conversation?

Log in