Human Origins in Africa Chapter 1 B.C. – “Before Christ” – Refers to a date so many years before the birth of Jesus Christ A.D. – “Anno Domini” (“in the year of the lord”) – Refers to a date so many years after the birth of Christ BCE – “Before the Common Era” CE – “Common Era” - decade = 10 years - century = 100 years - millennium = 1000 years - age/era – broad time period characterized by a shared pattern of life

Scientists in Search of Human Origins AAAArchaeologists – learn about earlier people by excavating and studying traces of earlier settlements AAAAnthropologists – study culture or people’s unique way of life by examining artifacts of archaeological digs PPPPaleontologists – study fossils or evidence of early life preserved in rocks Mary Leakey – archaeologist who discovered prehistoric footprints that resembled those of modern humans dating back 3,600,000 years made by what we now call australopithecines. This proved the existence of hominids or humans and other creatures that walk upright. (Bi-pedal) Donald Johanson – 1974 discovery of a partial skeleton of an adult female hominid dating back 3,500,000 years ago – Nicknamed “Lucy”.

Stone Age  Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) - Lasted from about 2.5 million to 8000 B.C. - much of this time was during the Ice Age when glaciers alternately advanced and retreated  Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) –Around 8000 B.C. to 3000 B.C. –Humans learn to polish stone tools, make pottery, grow crops and raise animals - Homo Habilis (“Man of Skill”) - Appeared 2.5 million years ago – “Lucy” - simple tools made of lave rock to cut meat - Homo Erectus (“Upright Man”) - Appeared about 1.6 million years ago - more intelligent and developed technology - ways of applying knowledge, tools, and inventions to meet ones’ needs - first hominids to migrate - first to use fire which provided warmth, cooked food, and protection from wild animals, also allowed for settlement of new lands new lands - may have developed the beginning of spoken language

Stone Age NNNNeanderthal – heavy slanted brows, well developed muscles, thick bones –D–D–D–Developed religious beliefs/rituals  e e e evident from burial site –r–r–r–resourceful – using caves and building shelters –s–s–s–successfully used tools and hunted animals –D–D–D–Disappeared around 30,000 B.C. mysteriously  H H H Homo sapiens (“wise men”) – r– r– r– resembled homo erectus but with larger brain –C–C–C–Cro-Magnons – emerge about 40,000 B.C. with skeletal remains identical to modern humans –P–P–P–Planned hunts, studying animals’ habits –M–M–M–More advanced at language allowing for easier planning

Humans Try to Control Nature Paleolithic Period - Main focus: survival - Nomadic – wander from place to place searching for food - Hunter-gatherers – food supply came from hunting animals and collecting food plants - Tools invented to increase food supply (spears, digging sticks, etc) - No evidence of artistic endeavors Neolithic Period - Survival not as big of a concern could focus on achievements in technology and art and advance cultural changes - Established permanent settlements with farming and domestication of animals insuring supply of food - Used stone, wood and bone to invent over 100 different tools (knives, fish hooks, chisels, needles, etc) - Created art – necklaces of sea shells & bear claws – carved small realistic sculptures of animals – cave paintings made with colored paints and engravings

Neolithic Revolution - revolution – rapid change B.C. – Agricultural Revolution - far reaching change in human life resulting from the beginning of farming - shift from food-gathering to food-producing - Slash and Burn farming – cut trees and grass and burn them to clear field - ashes fertilize the field - farmed for a couple of years then farmer moves to a different location - Domestication – taming of animals - tamed horses, dogs, goats, and pigs - Pastoral nomads (wandering herders) – moved animals to new pastures and watering places - sheep, goats, camels, etc.

Civilization cont. Jarma – “birthplace” of agriculture located in what is now northeastern Iraq Established around 7000B.C. Grew wheat and barley crops Domesticated goats, pigs, sheep, and horses Tools included weighted digging sticks, hoe-like tools, flint-sickle blades, and milling stones Pits used to store grain discovered Neolithic peoples in many parts of the world begin developing agriculture independent of each other, especially in fertile river valleys.  Africa – Nile River valley develops into an agricultural center growing wheat, Barley and other crops  China – Around 6000 B.C. farmers began growing a grain called millet – 5000B.C. began growing wild rice  Mexico and Central America – farmers cultivated corn, beans, and squash  Peru –first to grow tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and white potatoes Permanent settlements had their drawbacks….

The Beginning of Civilization - Better tools and irrigation systems created food surpluses - this enabled people to pursue other jobs and develop other skills - craftspeople created new products - pottery, metal objects, and woven cloth - traders profited from a broad range of goods - trade expanded over longer distances with the invention of the wheel and sail - Complex and prosperous economy led to the beginning of social classes - religion became more organized - Paleolithic religious beliefs centered around nature, animal spirits, and a limited concept of an afterlife - Neolithic religious beliefs focused on gods and goddesses who they believe had power over rain, wind, and other forces of nature

Problems Develop Farm Crop failures or lack of rain, causing droughts Led to starvation Floods and fires caused damage and death Living close together allowed for diseases to spread quickly

Characteristics of a Civilization 1. Advanced Cities – a city is a center of trade for a larger area - not determined by population 2. Specialized Workers – such as traders, government officials, and priests - Specialization – development of skills in a specific kind of work - Artisans – skilled workers who make goods by hand 3. Complex Institutions – long lasting pattern of organization in a community in a community - Governments established to maintain order and establish laws - Religions become formal institutions 4. Record Keeping – as life becomes more complex (gov’t, religion, and economy) there is a need to keep records - Scribes – professional record keepers - Cuneiform – system of writing meaning “wedge shaped” “wedge shaped” - Stylus – sharpened reed with a wedge shaped point pressed into moist clay wedge shaped point pressed into moist clay 5. Advanced Technology – new tools and techniques created to solve problems - Bronze Age – bronze replaces copper and stone tools

Essay Questions (Choose ONE) A. Compare the Paleolithic Age to the Neolithic Age. (How are they the same and how are they different) Why is the Neolithic period considered to be a revolution? OR B. Explain how scientists know what happened in the past. Define archaeologist, anthropologist and paleontologist in your answer. Give one specific example to show how scientists figure out the past.