Human Origins in Africa Archaeologists- scientists who study ancient settlements Anthropologists- scientists who study ancient culture Paleontologists- scientists who study fossils

Footprints Found 1970’s Mary Leakey finds prehistoric footprints in Tanzania (East Africa) preserved in volcano ash Australopithecines- form of hominid that is upright walking and had opposable thumbs.

Discovery of Lucy Donald Johanson explores Ethiopia, and finds a skeleton of an adult hominid (3.5 million years old) Named Lucy after “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” song

Stone Age Begins Mastery of fire, development of language, and impressive technological advancements Paleolithic Age (Old Stone)- 2.5 million years ago until 8,000 BC (hunter-gatherers). Much during the Ice Ages. Neolithic Age (New Stone)- 8,000 BC until 3,000 BC (agriculturalists, artisans, innovators) Australopithecines replaced by by homo habilis (man of skill). They used primitive tools to crack bones and open carcasses. These guys were later replaced by homo erectus (upright man). More intelligent and adaptable species who were inventors. Also the first hominids to migrate from Africa. They were the first to use fire and develop a spoken language

Modern Humans Homo erectus develops into homo sapien (wise man). Had larger brains, but otherwise looked similar (cro-magnons). Neanderthal- powerful people who had religious beliefs and were more sophisticated than the “man with club” image. Found in Germany, they were resourceful enough to survive the Ice Age winters. Mysteriously disappeared about 30,000 years ago. Cro-Magnons- arrived 40,000 years ago, and are identical to modern humans. About 5.5 feet tall, and migrated to Europe and Asia from Africa. They made new tools, and were better hunters. More advanced language increased communication, which helped them exterminate Neanderthals.

Humans Try to Control Nature Nomads- ppl who move from place to place foraging. Depends on migrations of animals Hunter-gatherers- depend on animals and crops Art in Paleolithic Age Made necklaces of bear claws, seashells, and lion teeth Created intricate cave paintings

Beginnings of Agriculture Neolithic Revolution- agricultural revolution about 10,000 years ago. Movement from food-gathering to food-producing Early farming methods: slash-and-burn- cut trees/grasses and burn them to clear a field. Ashes fertilized soil. Would move around from year to year.

Domestication of Animals Tamed horses, goats, dogs, and pigs. Helped travel and also provided an additional source of food Villages Grow Farming develops in many places (Africa around the Nile, China around the Yellow River, Mexico and in Central America around the Amazon, and Peru in the Andes Mountains. CATAL HUYUK Located in Turkey Home to 5-6 thousand people who lived in houses that looked like a honeycomb Showed the benefits of settled life b/c people were able to specialize Some setbacks- invasion, fire, drought Displayed how villages could lead to cities (trading centers)

Civilization (Ur) Villages grow into Cities How civilization develops Economic changes- improved irrigation led to surplus of food, and allowed some ppl to specialize in other trades. Artisans, farmers, and others needed a place to trade their goods. Two inventions (wheel and sail) helped increase trading. Social changes- new economy changes social structure. People begin to believe in gods of rain, wind, and other natural forces. How civilization develops First civilization develops in Sumer, Mesopotamia (Iraq) Civilization needs 5 traits (advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and advanced technology) Cities aren’t reliant on population, but on trading Specialized workers allowed a variety of goods to be traded Complex institutions were necessary to rule people (government, religion, etc.) Record keeping becomes important to write laws, collect taxes (Sumerian cuneiform)

How civilization develops (cont.) Cuneiform replaced pictographs. It was typically written on clay tablets by scribes Improved technology was needed to solve emerging -Bronze Age: around 3,000 BC, Sumerian artisans melt copper and tin to make bronze, which is more efficient in tools and weapons.

Ur City in Sumer on the banks of the Euphrates River (Iraq) 30,000 ppl lived there, and social status was obvious Trading revolved around barter, which is trading without currency Religious pyramid temple called ziggurat (“mountain of God”) Specialization allowed for food surplus, and variety of goods for trading