Students brought their own stone tools to class and used them to break open cow and deer bones, recreating a behavior practiced by our early human ancestors. Taphonomy is the study of what happens to an organism’s remains after death. Early human ancestors broke open the long bones of animals in the Family Bovidae, including antelopes and buffalo, to access the nutrient-rich, high-calorie marrow inside. This hands-on class gives students an actualistic learning experience, allowing them to explore the process firsthand. They discover how difficult it is to break open a bone, what the process smells like, what the marrow feels like, and how the shape and material of a stone tool influence its effectiveness. Experiences like these bring the past to life! By recreating behaviors our ancestors may have practiced, students gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges of early human life and how scientists use firsthand observations to better understand the archaeological record. Special thank you to the LSU School of Animal Sciences and Mike Sims for the bones.