Human Origins in Africa

Scientific Clues prehistory -- before the invention of writing; 5,000 yrs ago Archaeologists – study human history through artifacts and remains  excavate, study, analyze Anthropologist – study human culture and behavior by studying artifacts Paleontologists -- study fossils to understand Earth’s history (ecology, evolution, climate)

way of life  shared ways of dressing, hunting, foods Culture way of life  shared ways of dressing, hunting, foods Common Practices – - eat, clothing, sports, tools, technology, customs, work Shared Understandings – - language, symbols, religion, values, arts, politics Social Organization – - family, class, relationships, gov’t, economics Culture is Learned -- Media, family, friends, government, religious institutions, school, workplace -- observation & direct teaching

humans and human-like beings that walk upright Hominids humans and human-like beings that walk upright opposable thumb -- pick up things can travel distances easily can carry things

5 classes of Hominids Australopithecines – first humanlike beings to walk upright, south and east Africa, 4 million years ago Homo Habilis -- Man of skill, stone tools Homo Erectus -- Walks upright, first to use fire, more intelligent, developed technology, skillful hunters, spoken language. 1.6 million to 30,000 BC Neanderthal (caveman)– found in Europe and SW Asia, religion, ritual burials, survived the Ice Age, appeared 200,000 -30,000 BC Cro-Magnon -- 1997 DNA testing, 40,000  to 8,000 BC, fully modern humans, created art

Lucy -- oldest hominid found to date - lived 3.5 millions yrs ago The Discovery of Lucy Lucy -- oldest hominid found to date - lived 3.5 millions yrs ago - found in Ethiopia in 1974