Origin of Humans World Studies Objective: SWBAT describe early humans E.Q. – How are early humans described?

Unit Overview In this unit, we are going to explore: The First Humans (week 5) The First Civilizations (week 6-7) Religion (week 8) Egypt/ Nile River DBQ (week 9)

Where did humans come from? Creationism The belief that God created the world and everything in it. Cultures all over the world each have their versions of how the world came to be. Example: Genesis (Christianity, Judaism) Evolution Humans developed over time from lesser animals. Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species in 1859 suggesting that humans had evolved over time and shared a common ancestor with apes. “Survival of the fittest”

A Note on B.C. and A.D. The Gregorian calendar, which we follow, is based on the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in the year 1. B.C. (Before Christ) indicates anything that happened before the birth of Jesus Christ. Ex. The Roman Empire began around 500 B.C. A.D. (Anno Domini, Latin for “Year of the Lord” indicates anything that happened after the birth of Christ. Ex. Mr. P was born in 1981 A.D. What is an issue with using B.C and A.D.? BCE – before the common era CE – common era

Sample Timeline

African Origins Scientists believe the first “humans” existed over 2 million years ago in modern day Ethiopia, Africa. Lucy (3.2 million years old) Early human ancestor Not as developed as today’s humans.

Lucy’s Skeleton

How did humans spread to various places? Multi-Regional Theory Early humans left Africa and went to other parts of the world, then slowly evolved into modern humans. Migration, then evolution. “Out of Africa” Theory Modern humans evolved relatively recently in Africa, then migrated throughout the world. Evolution, then migration.

Multi-regional Theory

“Out of Africa” Theory

Old Stone Age 2,500,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE Humans were hunters and gatherers Men hunted small animals Women gathered fruits, nuts, seeds Lived in small bands of people Could not support large population because hunting was not very effective to create a surplus of food. Most were nomads Moved from place to place…No mad? No home! Followed herds of animals

Old Stone Age Humans of this time period found shelter in caves Humans left behind cave painting as evidence Simple tools were created out of stone

Cave Paintings

Stone Age Tools

What did Stone Age people look like? Hard to know for sure, but probably similar to the stereotypical “caveman.”

New Stone Age Aka Neolithic or Agricultural Revolution 10,000 BCE to 4,000 BCE Gradual shift from nomadic lifestyles to settled, stationary lifestyles Plant and animal domestication (farming, livestock) First time humans developed surplus of food. This allowed for specialization of labor. Not all people had to farm Beginnings of social classes

New Stone Age Agriculture developed independently in different parts of the world. Growing crops on a regular basis made it possible to support larger populations. Domestication of animals allows for the replacement of manual power to animal power. More permanent settlements emerged.

Agricultural Hearths

What is the next step in the development of human settlements?

CIVILIZATIONS!