The First People: Human origins

The search for human life Prehistory - the time before the invention of writing—roughly 5,000 years ago. Archaeologist vs. Anthropologist vs. Paleo. Culture - A people’s unique way of life. Artifacts - Human-made objects, such as tools and jewelry.

Key discoveries in archaeology In 1959, Mary Leakey found skull fragments in Africa over 1.75million years old, nicknamed “The Nut Cracker Man.” This skull fragments were from an Australopithene. Hominid – Early human and humanlike being.

Cont. In 1974, Donald Johanson – The discovery of Lucy, aka a complete fossil of an early female hominid skeleton. Lived 3.5million years ago, the earliest hominid ever found.

Cont. Mary Leakey, again, discovered Laetoli Footprints in Tanzania. Preserved in hardened volcanic ash. Gave earliest evidence of humans walking upright, or on two legs.

Origins of man Australopithene – “southern ape”, appeared in Africa 4-5mil years ago, walked on two legs. 1959 Mary & Louis Leakey find a hominid fossil in Tanzania believe to belong to a new species. Homo Habilis – “handy man”, smaller teeth, better hands. Appeared in Africa 2.5mil year ago. Homo Erectus – “upright man”, appeared in Africa 2-1.5mil years ago. Learned to control fire, migrated out of Africa. Homo Sapiens – “wise man”, appeared 200,000 years ago in Africa, migrated around world, same species as modern humans, meaning everyone in this room.

Neanderthals Developed religious beliefs and performed rituals Very resourceful…lived in caves during the winter made of wood and animal skins Used stone blades, scrapers, and other tools

Cro-Magnons Skeletal remains identical to humans living today Planned their hunts Spoken Language

The paleolithic age Aka the Old Stone Age, lasted from 2.5million BCE to 8000 BCE. The oldest stone chopping tools date back to this era.

Cave painting

The ice ages 1.6 million years ago of long periods of freezing weather. Glaciers advanced and retreated as climate cycles changed. Frozen land bridges like the one in the Bering Strait connecting Siberia and Alaska, helped early hominids spread around the world.

Migration patterns

Characteristic's of the old stone age Homo Habilis may have used tools. Homo Erectus develop technology & leave Africa. First to use/master fire. May have developed some language. Hunter/gatherer society Forage or collect food Hunt game and fish Used stone tools, not metal.

Cont. Gender based division of labor. So men hunt, women gather Rich ceremonial life…including shamans and psychoactive drugs.