The Origin of Humans

Stages of Early Human Development 1. 4,000,000 BCE – 1,000,000 BCE Paleolithic Age: ( Old Stone Age ) 2,500,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE 2. 1,500,000 BCE -- 250,000 BCE 3. 250,000 BCE – 30,000 BCE 4. 30,000 BCE -- 10,000 BCE

Stage 1 Ardipithecus ramidus 7,000,000 BCE – 4,000,000 BCE First bi-pedalism known in humans, although primarily a tree dweller. Most recent findings in human evolution. (1993) Very short overall – Under 4’

Stage 2 Australopithecus Bi-Pedalism fully formed 4,000,000 BCE – 1,000,000 BCE Australopithecus Bi-Pedalism fully formed Predominately ground dwelling. Would look like a large walking Ape to us. Opposable Thumb. Most famous example is the “Lucy” skeleton discovered in 1975 by Dr. Donald Johanson.

The Paleolithic Age “Paleolithic” --> “Old Stone” Age 2,500,000 BCE – 10,000 BCE Made tools hunting (men) & gathering (women)  small bands of 20-30 humans NOMADIC (moving from place to place)

The Paleolithic Age Purpose?? Humans during this period found shelter in caves. Cave paintings left behind. – Chauvet Paintiings Purpose??

Stage 3 Homo Genus = Man HOMO HABILIS Known as the “Handy Man” Created Stone Tools Foraged and Scavenged Mostly

Stage 3 1,6000,000 BCE – 30,000 BCE Hunted via Persistence Running. HOMO ERECTUS ( “Upright Human Being” ) Larger and more varied tools --> primitive technology First hominid to migrate and leave Africa for Europe and Asia. Hunted via Persistence Running. First to use fire ( 500,000 BCE ) – Leads to community and co-operation at new level.

Stage 3 200,000 BCE – 10,000 BCE HOMO SAPIENS ( “Wise Human Being” ) Neanderthals ( 200,000 BCE – 30,000 BCE ) Cro-Magnons ( 40,000 BCE – 10,000 BCE )

Stage 3 NEANDERTHALS: Prominent Brow Advanced hunting techniques First humans to bury their dead. Made clothes from animal skins. Advanced hunting techniques Lived in caves and tents. Interbred with Cro- Magnon Man

Stage 3 CRO-MAGNONs: Homo sapiens sapiens ( “Wise, wise human” ) By 30,000 BCE they replaced Neanderthals. WHY???

Tool Comparison cont…. Neanderthals Cro-Magnon

The Neolithic Age Nomadic lifestyle  settled, stationery lifestyle. “Neolithic”  “New Stone” Age 10,000 BCE – 4,000 BCE Gradual shift from: Nomadic lifestyle  settled, stationery lifestyle. Hunting/Gathering  agricultural production and domestication of animals.

The Agricultural Revolution 8,000 BCE – 5,000 BCE Agriculture developed independently in different parts of the world. SLASH-AND-BURN Farming Seasonal Return of Crops Animal Husbandry Middle East India Central America China Southeast Asia 8,000 BCE 7,000 BCE 6,500 BCE 6,000 BCE 5,000 BCE

Why a Neolithic Revolution? End of an Ice Age = the end of some big game animals. New Crops develop as ice recedes. Newly developed crops are more fruitful even in wild than old plants. More population = greater need for stability in food source. Greater stability in food source = more population. Agriculture started by spreading seeds on travel routes, then settling down.

Animal Domestication Dogs (Wolves) – 12,000 BCE Sheep, Goats, Pigs – 8500 BCE Cattle – 6500 BCE Pastoralism develops by the Bronze Age (4000 BCE)

Why do some archaeologists believe that women were the first farmers? The Agricultural Revolution Why do some archaeologists believe that women were the first farmers?

Early Settled Communities Growing crops on a regular basis made possible the support of larger populations. More permanent, settled communities emerged. Fertile Crescent

Jericho One of the longest inhabited places on earth. Around 9400 BCE had a pre-pottery civilization that had 70 dwellings (apartments), 1000 people, and huge walls. Walls show co-operation between people, used mostly for keeping out river. Settled in modern Israel near River Jordan.

Jarmo 7,000 BCE  Earliest Agricultural Settlement – Wheat Northern Iraq in outskirts of Zagros Mts. Found bowls, stone sickles, cutters indicating agriculture. Consisted of about 25 houses of adobe – about 150 people lived there.

Catal Huyuk An obsidian dagger Buried Dead inside City 8,000 BCE  Largest Early Settlement at Çatal Hüyük ( Modern Turkey )  10,000-6,000 inhabitants 12 cultivated crops Division of labor but not necessarily social class – women and men equal. Engaged in trade An obsidian dagger Organized religion – Mother Earth Figures Buried Dead inside City Small military

Çatal Hüyük