* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Prehistory2009 2
Origins of society wikipedia , lookup
Mitochondrial Eve wikipedia , lookup
Human genetic variation wikipedia , lookup
Origin of language wikipedia , lookup
Multiregional origin of modern humans wikipedia , lookup
Before the Dawn (book) wikipedia , lookup
Craniometry wikipedia , lookup
Homo floresiensis wikipedia , lookup
Archaic human admixture with modern humans wikipedia , lookup
Evolutionary origin of religions wikipedia , lookup
Discovery of human antiquity wikipedia , lookup
Human evolutionary genetics wikipedia , lookup
Homo erectus wikipedia , lookup
History of anthropometry wikipedia , lookup
Homo naledi wikipedia , lookup
Behavioral modernity wikipedia , lookup
Homo heidelbergensis wikipedia , lookup
Prehistoric Times The Development of the Hominids Please Note: It is NOT my intent to change your views on the how the earth was created nor on how humans came into existence, rather my intent is to introduce you to the material covered within your textbook. It is up to you to make your own decisions about the validity of the material we will cover in this unit. STUDENT ADVISORY CONTROVERISAL IDEAS Pre-History v. History Pre-History History • 4,000,000 BC to 3500BC • A time before there were written records • 3500 BC to Present • A time when written records were present (BC & AD) v. (BCE & CE) “Historical Terms” • BC=Before Christ (Number of years before the birth of Jesus • AD=The Year of our Lord (Number of years since the birth of Jesus “Politically Correct Terms” • BCE=Before Common Era (Same as BC) • CE=Common Era (Same as AD) 150 BC 50 AD 100 BC 175AD 125 AD Archaeologists & Anthropologists • Imagine – You are an archaeologist who just discovered an artifact. • Directions – Make a careful list of the characteristics of the artifact. – List ideas about how this artifact was used and what it tells us about the culture of the people who used/made it. – List any difficulties you and archaeologists would have in determining the significance of this artifact. Lets meet “Lucy” on Page 16 The illustration shows "Lucy" in comparison with a modern human female. A-Man has some surprisingly human characteristics. Prehistoric Man Timeline http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/cavemen/ Australopithecines • “A-Man” or “Lucy” – Lived between 4 million an million years ago – Discovered in 1974 (Tanzania) • 1st upright walking Hominid – Human being and other creatures that walk upright • A-Man is classified as an ape, not a human • Probably didn’t talk or use tools (1/3 size of current human brain) • Taught us the most powerful tool was ourselves, family, and friends • Several different species • Ultimately, most believe (A-Man) dies off Australopithecus africanus and does not lead to Homo Habilis Why 1st to walk upright? 1. Change in climate – Tropical rain forests transformed to grassland • Environment drives brain size 2. Safety – Could spot threatening animals and hunt more effectively 3. Saved Energy – • More energy = More “relations” = More babies Mobility – Walking upright freed A-Man’s hands to carry food, tools, and babies Homo Habilis • “Handy Man” – Lived between 2.5 and 2 million years ago – Discovered in 1960 (Tanzania) • Homo = Human being – 1st human species • Brain size 50% bigger than AMan • Ability to make and use tools – Made blades out of lava rock to cut meat and crack bones – Marked beginning of Stone Age – Paleolithic “Old Stone Age” – Neolithic “New Stone Age” – Provided advantage over larger and faster animals Questions • Was Homo Habilis a hunter of large game--lions, leopards, hyenas? Or was this species an opportunistic taker of small game and a scavenger? • Did Homo Habilis have the ability to relocate from Africa? • Did Homo Habilis develop from the A-Man? Homo Erectus • “Upright Man” – Lived between 1.5 million years and .5 million years old – Discovered in 1984 (Kenyan) • 1st to learn how to use fire – Used for warmth (Northern latitudes) – Used for cooking – Used for protection • Taught us that flexibility and adaptability are the keys to survival – Technology changed little in over 1 million years • 1st to travel into Europe and Asia Why Leave Africa? • Rise in population – More difficult to find new hunting grounds • Curiosity to explore • Ability to use fire Homo Heidelbergensis • Lived 600,000 years ago • Brain Size: 93% the size of a modern brain • After a MAJOR climate change: – Some left Africa and traveled into Europe • Europe = Ice Age – Others stayed in Africa • Africa = Prolonged drought Theory • Those who went to Europe will evolve into Neanderthals “Homo Sapiens” • Those who stay in Africa will evolve into Cro-Magon “Homo Sapiens – The modern human The Development of the Hominids Homo Sapiens • “Wise Man” – Lived 200,000 & disappeared around 30,000 years ago – Discovered in 1856 (Germany) • Could adapt to harsher environment – Average brain capacity actually exceeds that of modern humans • Several different species – Neanderthals • Skillful tool makers – Used traps, axes and knives – Killed small animals & trapped larger ones Neanderthal: Lifestyle • Lived nomadic life (always on the move) following herds of animals all year round • Lived in caves…Later would make frames for skin tents • Displayed evidence of cultural practices – Took care of injured, diseased, and disabled – 1st to bury dead with grave goods What happened to the Neanderthals? • Multi-Regional Theory – Neanderthals gradually evolved into anatomically modern humans • Out-of-Africa Theory – Anatomically modern humans (our ancestors) emerged in Africa and then spread across Eurasia eventually out competing and replacing the Neanderthals • Currently, most historians believe this theory Homo Sapiens Sapiens • “Doubly Wise Man” – Scientists have found remains of these early people in Europe, Asia, America, Africa, all over, really. • Called Cro-Magon – Cro-Magon is an outdated term for Homo Sapiens Sapiens – They will replace the Neanderthals • Earliest known example of a modern human being • Keys to survival – Think ahead / imagination / creativity • Started revolution in technology – – – – – 100 different tools made out of stone, bone, and wood Razor sharp blades and fishing hooks Chisel-like cutters Spear hunters had range of 30 to 50 ft. Bone needles used for sewing Lifestyle / Culture • Cave printings •Burial sites present overwhelming evidence of – Magical significance??? – Earliest Textbooks??? – Initiation Rite??? important cultural practices •Evidence of a hunters' culture Extra Credit Opportunity The Hobbit Island of Flores 10/27/2004 ESSAY QUESTION • Neanderthal’s Characteristics – Strong, close net, self-sufficient, isolated, and independent • Ultimately their strengths became their weaknesses – It wasn't disaster or even genocide, but just out competed. • Question: – Briefly describe the fall of the Neanderthals • Be sure to discuss their characteristics and give examples of how they become their weaknesses – Could this happen to humans? • Provide present day examples of the qualities and characteristics of humans and evaluate whether or not this could happen – Provide some theories, possibilities or situations that could possibly lead to humans suffering the same fate as the Neanderthals