Warm-up Wednesday, September 12th What early tools might tell scientists about hunter- gatherer societies?

Austrolopithecus Afarensis: Lucy and her relatives Scientists use Latin names to group living things Lucy was given the name Australopithecus which means “southern ape” and afarensis refers to the Afar triangle, the part of Africa where Lucy was found Lucy was shorter than humans today- between 3 to 4 feet tall – Discovered by Donald Johanson – mix of ape and human features – had a large head- brain only 1/3 the size of ours – Lived 3 to 4 million years ago – Biped, the capability to walk on two feet

Homo Habilis: Handy Man Discovered by Louis and Mary Leakey Lived million years ago Combined ape and human features Walked on two feet Taller than Lucy Brains were twice the size of Lucys Remains only found in Africa Lived in groups Tools were found – Animal bones as digging sticks and rocks as chopping tools – Sharp pieces of stone for cutting

Homo Erectus: Upright Man Discovered in 1891 by Eugene Dubois on the island of Java, off the southern coast of Asia At this time, Lucy and Handy Man had not yet been discovered Lived on Earth longer than any other hominid group from 1.8 million to 200,000 BCE Believed to be the first hominids to migrate out of Africa because remains have been found in both Africa and Asia Taller and thinner than earlier hominids – Strong bones, good walkers and runners – Forehead was round and smooth but still had a large ridge above the eyes, a thicker skull, and a jaw that stuck out – More complex tools Strong hand axes made of stone – Used fire – Ate more meat – Built oval huts – Sat and slept on animal skins – Decorated their bodies with yellow-colored mud called ocher – Moved from place to place

Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis: Neanderthal Man Discovered “Wise Man” in 1856 in Germany’s Neander Valley Modern humans belong to this group Lived from 230,000 to 30,000 years ago in Africa, Europe, and Asia Walked upright, shorter and stockier than modern humans but much stronger Large brains – More than 60 types of tools have been found Worked together – Lived and traveled in groups – Hunted in an organized group – Sense of community

Homo Sapiens Sapiens: Doubly Wise Man First appeared 150,000 years ago Originated in Africa High, rounded skulls, large brains, small teeth, and slender bones Ability to create better tools, shelter, and clothing Left paintings on the walls of caves Carved and shaped images out of clay, bone, flint, and ivory Created music instruments Painted animals, mythical creatures and used their handprints to sign their work

How Early Hunter-Gatherers Lived Archaeologists know very little Lives were often harsh To survive and grow they developed technology The Development of Tools Paleolithic Era (means “old” and “stone”) Time when humans learned how to make tools out of stones Lasted from 2.5 million years ago to 10,000 years ago At first, tools were simple: chopping down small trees, cutting meat, scraping animal skins clean. Over time- tools became better: weapons, hunting larger animals

The Use of Fire During Paleolithic era- fire was used: light at night, cooking meat and plants, scare off dangerous animals Man is no longer restricted in his movement to a limited range of climates Wandering Bands The culture of early societies was simple. Lived in small groups or bands: adults and their children Nomads- move from place to place with the seasons Built temporary shelters- another major advance Men hunted, women gathered

Later Stone Age Peoples Neanderthals Appeared in Europe and Asia 200,000 years ago Name comes from Neander Valley in Germany Appeared in late Paleolithic Era and only group to survive Stone Age First people to bury their dead- believed in life after death Modern Humans Appeared about 100,000 years ago and were called “Homo sapiens” (wise people) Similar to Neanderthals- made tools, used fire, and hunted animals Taller and less muscular and developed a complex language Language- organize hunt, warn of danger, pass knowledge or skills on No evidence of Neanderthals after about 28,000 years ago

Homo Sapiens spread out to populate, or become inhabitants of, almost every land area of the world. The Human Migration Archaeologists disagree on where modern humans came from or how they spread Study fossils and genetic information Two Theories about Migration “Out of Africa” theory suggests that humans migrated from Africa to new places, replacing those that already lived there. Another theory is that large-brained humans developed separately in many different parts of the world. New Evidence New evidence from a skull found in 2007 suggests that humans were already in their modern form when they migrated from Africa. A 2008 genetic study gives a boost to the “out of Africa” theory. Still, many questions about human migration remain unanswered. 30,000 years ago, Homo sapiens were living in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Australia

Quick Facts- DO NOT WRITE!! Reasons for migration include: – The land on which they live no longer provides enough food for growing populations – They need to escape immediate weather problems, such as flooding, or long-term climate problems, such as drought – As population grow, people may want more space or need to escape overcrowding that causes disease or conflict – Conflicts over food, land, or power sometimes push people to explore new lands – Many people have a strong drive to explore that drives them toward new lands.

Adapting to Varied Environments As human migrated they had to adapt to new environments. A Changing Climate During the past two million years- including the Stone Age- the Earth has had four long ice ages. The last great Ice Age began about 70,000 years ago, soon after modern humans appeared. Well-watered grasslands became deserts Sea-level dropped- exposing land bridges Many animals had to migrate to find food People had to follow the herds for food Staying Warm Ice-Age hunter gathers learned to adapt – Built huts out of mammoth bones and covered with animal skin – Using bone needles, they sewed snug clothing from animal skins and furs – Kept fires burning day and night h?v=cRRlEyplGQ8&feature=play er_embedded

Forming Larger Communities Some adapted to change by forming larger communities Hunters could work together Better defense against other nomadic groups Clans formed (25-50 people) Communities began to trade Developing Complex Cultures: The Evidence of Art Communities became more and more complex Paintings in Caves Discovered Lascaux cave paintings in 1940 Some images were carved but most were painted Made pigments by grinding up minerals of various colors What Do They Tell Us? Humans are capable of complex thoughts and actions Developing Complex Cultures: Religious Beliefs and Practices Religious beliefs and practices are a sign of a more complex culture

Burial Practices Ice Age people buried their dead – Children covered with ivory beads in Russian grave Early Religious Practices Cave paintings, statues, and burial sites suggest how early humans reacted to mysterious and powerful sources. Suggest that they believed in animism- natural world is filled with spirits. The Next Big Change By the end of the Paleolithic Era, humans… – Occupied many regions of the world – Developed a complex spoken language – Variety of tools and weapons – Adapted to different environments – Still lived in small groups as hunter- gatherers Around 10,000 years ago Neolithic Era began