The Dawn of Man

Pre-history  In order to understand the development of human civilizations we need to use several different scientific disciplines.  Fields such as:  Geology, Biology, Paleontology, Archeology and Anthropology give us important information that we can use to understand our past.

 Geology: The science that deals with the earth's physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes that act on it.  Biology: The science of life and of living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution.  Paleontology: The scientific study of life in the geologic past, especially through the study of animal and plant fossils.  Archaeology: The scientific study of material remains (as fossil relics, artifacts, and monuments) of past human life and activities

 Anthropology: The scientific study of the origin and behavior of man, including the development of societies and cultures.  *Social geography: is a term that we will use to describe how the environment in a particular place affected the human behavior that took place there.

 The study of the past is divided into two main parts:  History and Natural History  Natural history is, The study and description of living things and natural objects, especially their origins, evolution, and relationships to one another. Natural history includes the sciences of zoology, mineralogy, geology, and paleontology.

 History can be further divided into two parts:  History and Prehistory  History is the written record of human events.  The written record of human events begins around 3500 B.C.  Prehistory is…

Uncovering the Past  Archeologists, and paleo- anthropologists, use several techniques to determine the age of their finds.  Radio carbon dating calculates the age of organic, or once living things, by measuring the amount of radioactive carbon in the item. It is accurate to 20,000 years.  Other elements can be used to measure older items.

Geologic Strata  Dating by geologic strata. The layers of earth are set down over time and can be read from top to bottom, the top being newer and those below older (most of the time).

Hominids  Hominids are manlike creatures that may have developed into modern humans.  We know of them through archeology.

Australopithecus “Lucy”

 Australopithecus, or southern ape, was one of the earliest known hominids.  They existed about 4 million years ago.  They were approximately 3.5 – 4 feet in height.  They were arboreal vegetarians.

Human Taxonomy 

Homo habilis  Handyman, or tool maker.  Existed 2.5 – 1.5 million years ago.  As the climate changed hominids were forced to adapt to their environment.  As they moved out into the open grasslands, Homo habilis used digging sticks to turn up roots and tubers that they found there.  This is the first known example of human technology.  The earliest known artifacts are associated with Homo habilis.

 Artifacts = any object that has been made or shaped by human activity.

 Technology = the ability to manipulate or change the environment to suit one’s needs. Generally we refer to a society’s level of technology by what kinds of tools that they had or have available to them.

Homo erectus  Upright man, or man who stands erect.  Existed about 1.5 million years ago.  Controlled FIRE!!!  Developed sharp tools made of stone and bones. This enabled them to wear clothing made of animal skins.

Fire is the most important technological innovation of all time!  Cooking plants and animals (more food).  Babies and old folks live longer (more people).  Warmth, allows for migration to colder climes (more room).  Protection from animals (everybody lives longer).  *Allows for the development of language,, and begins the technology cycle.

Technology Cycle  Innovation => More time and energy.  More time and energy => new Innovations.  New Innovations => …

 Once hominids had technology and language they could now be said to possess a culture.  Culture is the set of ideas, beliefs, and behavior patterns that are associated with a particular group of people.  Aspects of culture might include common language, religion, fashion, art, cuisine.

Homo sapiens  Us. Not only us, but we are the one’s who survived.  Homo sapiens = Man who thinks.  First appeared in Africa about 200,000 years ago.  Early Homo sapiens used language to organized hunts, create complex tools, and art.

 Art = the deliberate arrangement of elements (objects, sounds, ideas, movements) to create a work of art.  A work of art is any man made object who’s purpose or function is not primarily practical. Its purpose may be to create beauty or pleasure, or to express a concept or cultural idea.

Neanderthals  Human sub-species who along with Cro-Magnon are the closest relatives of modern humans. Today Cro-Magnon are referred to as Early Modern Humans.  Neanderthals had shorter thicker skeletal structures, and bigger brains than modern humans.  Neanderthals have been discovered in burial sites.  These sites are oval pits and have individuals placed in the fetal position along with important possessions such as tools, weapons and or jewelry.

 Neanderthal burial sites are evidence of a belief in an afterlife!  Neanderthals existed until as recently as 25,000 years ago when they were replaced by early modern humans (formerly known as Cro-Magnons).

Cro-Magnon or Early Modern Humans  Began in Africa almost 200,000 years ago.  Moved into the Middle East then spread to Europe and Asia.  More sophisticated tool making capability than Neanderthals.  Better social organization?  Interbreeding? Out competing for limited resources?

Migration Patterns of Neanderthal, Cro-Magnon, and Modern Humans