Chapter 1: The First Humans Prehistory- 3500 B.C.

Do Now What is civilization?

Archaeology & Anthropology Archaeology: study of past societies through analysis of what people left behind. Dig up artifacts: objects made by humans May be tools, weapons, art and buildings Anthropology: study of human life and culture Culture includes what people wear, how they organize society and what they value Archaeologist and Anthropologists have developed scientific methods to carry out their work. Examination and analysis of remains gives them a better understanding of ancient societies.

Examples of Examination Examining pottery, tools and weapons can help scientists learn about the social and military structures Analyzing bones, skins and plant seeds can help scientists piece together the diet and activities of early people

Dating Artifacts & Fossils Dating human fossils and artifacts help scientists to understand when and where first humans lived 3 methods: Radiocarbon dating: Measuring the amount of radioactive carbon left in an object. BUT only accurate for objects no more than 50,000 years old Thermoluminescence: Measuring the light given off by electrons trapped in the soil surrounding fossils and artifacts. Relatively precise for items dating back 200,000 years DNA: Analyzing blood, hairs and plant tissue left on tools and weapons can tell more about humans, their tools, the animals they killed and human evolution in general

Hominids to Homo Sapiens Hominid: humanlike creature that walked upright Earliest hominids lived in Africa 4 million years ago and slowly changed over time Paleoanthropologists Louis and Mary Leakey discovered the oldest hominid (1.8 million years old) in 1959 at Olduvai Gorge in East Africa

Lucy For decades scientists assumed hominids must have used tools In 1974 Donald Johnson challenged this when he found ‘Lucy’ in Ethiopia Johnson suggested she was the common ancestor for several types of early human life ‘Lucy’ is a Australopithecus or ‘southern ape’

Homo habilis & Homo erectus 2.5-1.6 million years ago a more advanced hominid developed with a larger brain Homo habilis means “handy human” because they may have used stone tools Earliest remains were discovered near Olduvai Gorge Homo erectus “upright human” existed from 1.8 million to 100,000 years ago It had arms and legs in modern human proportions Remains in Asia show that Homo erectus was probably the first hominid to leave Africa

Homo sapiens & Neanderthals 200,000 years ago Homo sapiens means “wise humans” Showed rapid brain growth and mastered fire 2 kinds of humans descended from Homo sapiens: Neanderthals and Homo sapiens sapiens Neanderthal Come from the Neanderthal- a valley in Germany Probably lived between 100,000 B.C. and 300,000 B.C. Used stone tools and made clothes from animal skins First early people to bury their dead

Homo sapiens sapiens “Wise wise humans”-first to have an anatomy similar to today Appeared in Africa between 150,000-200,000 years ago Probably spread out of Africa about 100,000 years ago and replaced populations of earlier hominids in Asia and Europe (“out of Africa” theory) By 30,000 B.C. Homo sapiens sapiens replaced Neanderthals Neanderthals eventually died out- possibly due to conflicts with Homo sapiens sapiens Homo sapiens sapiens spread across the globe looking for food and new hunting grounds

Do Now What important developments took place in the Paleolithic Age?

Paleolithic Age The early period of human history in which humans used simple stone tools. 2,500,000 B.C. to 10,000 B.C.

Hunting and Gathering Paleolithic peoples had close relationship with their environment Learned what plants to eat and animals to hunt Gathered wild nuts, berries, fruit and grains Ate buffalo, horses, bison and reindeer In costal areas- fish and shellfish

Paleolithic Way of Life Used stone to make tools- hand axes the most common Wooden poles with spear points helped hunt large animals Tools like bow and arrow, harpoon and fishhooks made hunting easier Used tools to dig and cut branches for shelter Needles for nets, baskets and clothing Followed animal migrations and vegetation cycles- nomads Lived in small groups of 20-30

Roles of Men and Women Men Women Find food- hunt far from camp Find food-gathered & trap small animals Raise children Bear and raise children close to camp Teach children

Women, Children & Families

Adapting to Survive Groups in cold climates found shelter in caves Built simple structures- wood poles or sticks covered with animal hides Fire made it possible to provide light and heat

Use of Fire As hominids moved to colder climates- needed fire (Ice Age) Piles of ashes found in caves Warmth, kept animals away, cooking tool Cooked food better-lasted longer and easier to digest Not sure how hominids started fire- most likely friction

Creating Art Lascaux Caves-France (1940) Altamira, Spain (1879)- scientist discovered not all paintings made at same time- gradual Scientists date art based on pigments 1994 Jean Marie Chauvet discovered paintings in Southern France- nearly twice as old as Lascaux & Altamira but more advanced drawings Painted with fingers, twigs and blew through hollow reeds Mixed minerals with animal fat to make colors Few humans appear-only stick figures

Chauvet Cave

Do Now How does agriculture affect our legacy?

Neolithic Revolution

What is the Neolithic Revolution? End of the last Ice Age- 8000 B.C. Shift from the hunting of animals and the gathering of food to the keeping of animals Systematic agriculture: growing of food on a regular basis Domestication of animals- reliable source of meat milk and wool Animals also used for work Humans had more control over their life because more food- gave up nomadic ways and could settle down Some believe this revolution was the single most important development in human history

The Growing of Crops 8000 B.C.-5000 B.C. Southwest Asia Wheat and barley & domesticating pigs, cows, goats and sheep Southeastern Europe By 4000 B.C farming was well established in central Europe and costal regions of the Mediterranean Central Africa Root and tree crops Mesoamericans (Mexico and Central America) Beans, squash and maize 5000 B.C- rice in Southeast Asia and then spread to China 6000 B.C.- wheat and barley had spread into the Nile Valley and other parts of Africa

Neolithic Farming Villages Growing crops on a regular basis gave rise to permanent settlements Not all citizens needed to farm so some became artisans- making goods to trade with neighboring people Beginning of traditional economy based on agriculture and limited trade Shrines with figures also discovered-points to growing role of religion

Effects of Neolithic Revolution People began to see the need to build walls for protection and storehouses for goods Artisans became more skilled-made more refined tools Men vs. women Farming and hunting took men away from the settlement- more responsibility meant more dominant role in society Women remained behind- cared for children, wove clothing

End of Neolithic Age Before 4000 B.C. craftspeople discovered that heating metal- bearing rocks could turn metal into liquid and poured into molds for tools Copper first metal used in making tools After 4000 B.C- Asian artisans discovered that combining copper and tin created bronze Bronze Age 3000 B.C.- 1200 B.C to Iron Age (after 1000 B.C.)

Overall Set the stage for major changes to come As people mastered farming, villages developed more complex and wealthier societies