Origin of modern humans

Origin of modern humans First remains found in 1868 in limestone cave – Cro-Magnon cave in Southern France

Origin of modern humans First remains found in 1868 in limestone cave – Cro-Magnon cave in Southern France Dated around 40’000 years however older have been found in Africa

Origin of modern humans First remains found in 1868 in limestone cave – Cro-Magnon cave in Southern France Dated around 40’000 years however older have been found in Africa Some found have been dated at 90-120’000 years old = when Neanderthals were dominant. This indicates that Neanderthals could not be our ancestors.

Physical characteristics Main difference between modern humans and Neanderthals – in the skull.

Physical characteristics Main difference between modern humans and Neanderthals – in the skull. Smaller brow ridges (if there at all), large, steep forehead, no ‘bun’ at the rear of the skull.

Physical characteristics Main difference between modern humans and Neanderthals – in the skull. Smaller brow ridges (if there at all), large, steep forehead, no ‘bun’ at the rear of the skull. Prominent chin, jaws and teeth are less robust.

Physical characteristics Main difference between modern humans and Neanderthals – in the skull. Smaller brow ridges (if there at all), large, steep forehead, no ‘bun’ at the rear of the skull. Prominent chin, jaws and teeth are less robust. More slender limbs indicating technology was replacing Neaderthal muscle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP94gmrIcdY

Tool technology of modern humans Stone tools – more finely made, more cutting edge per amount of stone used.

Tool technology of modern humans Stone tools – more finely made, more cutting edge per amount of stone used. Used bone, antler and ivory – tough and durable, able to be carved into perforations = made bone needles and fish hooks possible.

Tool technology of modern humans Stone tools – more finely made, more cutting edge per amount of stone used. Used bone, antler and ivory – tough and durable, able to be carved into perforations = made bone needles and fish hooks possible. Combined two kinds of material to make composite tools.

Tool technology of modern humans Stone tools – more finely made, more cutting edge per amount of stone used. Used bone, antler and ivory – tough and durable, able to be carved into perforations = made bone needles and fish hooks possible. Combined two kinds of material to make composite tools. Tools were made for the purpose of making other tools.

Hunting techniques Highly efficient hunters – woolly mammoth and other large mammals became extinct around 30’000 years ago.

Hunting techniques Highly efficient hunters – wooly mammoth and other large mammals became extinct around 30’000 years ago. Eg – bones of thousands of horses have been found at the bottom of a cliff = suggests being stampeded.

Improvements in fire use Discovered how to light fire by striking sparks off iron pyrites. Earliest known ‘firestone’ found in Belgium – found along remains dated 15’000 years old.

Improvements in fire use Discovered how to light fire by striking sparks off iron pyrites. Earliest known ‘firestone’ found in Belgium – found along remains dated 15’000 years old. Learnt how to create draughts of air for the fire – increasing the temp and possibility of baking clay.

Palaeolithic art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A Enormous increase of satisfying emotional needs as well as physical needs

Palaeolithic art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A Enormous increase of satisfying emotional needs as well as physical needs Shown by cave painting, carved statuettes, beads and ornaments

Palaeolithic art https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnSq0c7jM-A Enormous increase of satisfying emotional needs as well as physical needs Shown by cave painting, carved statuettes, beads and ornaments Most pictures depict horses, deer, oxen, bison, and mammoth – all important animals – dated between 15’000 and 30’000 years ago