Introductory Question - Introductory Question - Did early man live at the same time as dinosaurs? The answer to that one is simple. Nah! No way. Not a chance. Nobody knows for sure why dinosaurs disappeared, but they do know that dinosaurs died out about 65 million years ago. The first hominids (human-like primates) did not appear until 3.6 million years ago. Even if scientists are off a few million years or so, early man simply did not live during the same period in history as dinosaurs. This is not to say that early man had it easy. They did have to face sabre-toothed tigers, cave lions, and woolly mammoths! But, they did not have to fight dinosaurs!

PHYSICAL EVOLUTION OF HUMANS

Evolution traces human development through several stages or species from the first humanlike beings to modern humans. Evolution traces human development through several stages or species from the first humanlike beings to modern humans. Do not know exactly when the evolution of humans and apes diverged Do not know exactly when the evolution of humans and apes diverged

HOMINIDS Humanlike creatures began to appear over four million years ago. Members of the human family tree. Humanlike creatures began to appear over four million years ago. Members of the human family tree. Distinguished from apes most notably Distinguished from apes most notably By their bipedalism (ability to walk on two feet) By their bipedalism (ability to walk on two feet) Larger brain size Larger brain size

Bipedalism Positives of Bipedalism Positives of Bipedalism Walking on two feet left hands free to perform many tasks, including young over long distances and making tools and weapons. Walking on two feet left hands free to perform many tasks, including young over long distances and making tools and weapons.

What prompted first hominids to begin walking on two feet? Can only speculate Can only speculate On theory, still unproven, is that climate change transformed eastern and southern Africa forests into dry, open grasslands. On theory, still unproven, is that climate change transformed eastern and southern Africa forests into dry, open grasslands. This terrain might have favoured the survival of apes that could walk upright. (have to travel long distances) This terrain might have favoured the survival of apes that could walk upright. (have to travel long distances)

THE STONE AGE Called the Stone Age because most of the artifacts found from this time are made of stone. Called the Stone Age because most of the artifacts found from this time are made of stone. Stone Age divides into 3 Ages. Stone Age divides into 3 Ages. Paleolithic or Old Stone Age (2 million BCE – 10, 000 BCE) Paleolithic or Old Stone Age (2 million BCE – 10, 000 BCE) Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age (10, 000 BCE – 8,000 BCE) Mesolithic or Middle Stone Age (10, 000 BCE – 8,000 BCE) Neolithic or New Stone Age (8,000 BCE – 5,000 BCE) Neolithic or New Stone Age (8,000 BCE – 5,000 BCE)

Humans who lived in the Stone Age are generally classified into a group called HOMO. Humans who lived in the Stone Age are generally classified into a group called HOMO. HOMO divided into two overlapping species: HOMO ERECTUS AND HOMO SAPIENS HOMO divided into two overlapping species: HOMO ERECTUS AND HOMO SAPIENS

HOMO HABILIS “Handy Man” flourished in Africa about 2.5M years ago. “Handy Man” flourished in Africa about 2.5M years ago. First to develop and use stone tools (proof of their ingenuity and creative ability) First to develop and use stone tools (proof of their ingenuity and creative ability) Brain size and presence of humanlike teeth suggest Homo habilis might have been our human ancestor. Brain size and presence of humanlike teeth suggest Homo habilis might have been our human ancestor.

HOMO ERECTUS First appeared about 2 million years ago. First appeared about 2 million years ago. Name refers to the fact that they could walk completely upright, like modern humans Name refers to the fact that they could walk completely upright, like modern humans Skulled shaped different from us. Braincase was long and broad at the base. Had massive eyebrow ridges and high bony crests at the neckline. Skulled shaped different from us. Braincase was long and broad at the base. Had massive eyebrow ridges and high bony crests at the neckline.

HOMO ERECTUS Probably survived by hunting wild animals and gathering plants for food. Probably survived by hunting wild animals and gathering plants for food. With their increasing skills, they made tools of stone, bone and wood. With their increasing skills, they made tools of stone, bone and wood. First species to use fire and first to migrate into Europe and Asia from Africa First species to use fire and first to migrate into Europe and Asia from Africa

HOMO SAPIENS “MAN WHO THINKS” “MAN WHO THINKS” Formulated the spoken language and developed more sophisticated tools. Formulated the spoken language and developed more sophisticated tools. Oldest remains found in Hungary others from England, Germany Oldest remains found in Hungary others from England, Germany Skull shape is different from Erectus although the size is similar. Skull shape is different from Erectus although the size is similar.

NEANDERTHALS Located in Europe about years ago – disappeared approx. 30, 000 years ago Located in Europe about years ago – disappeared approx. 30, 000 years ago From central Europe Neanderthals traveled east into central Asia, even migrating into the Middle East From central Europe Neanderthals traveled east into central Asia, even migrating into the Middle East Questions remains on whether Neanderthals are our direct ancestors or whether they were a separate species, driven to extinction by modern humans. Questions remains on whether Neanderthals are our direct ancestors or whether they were a separate species, driven to extinction by modern humans.

Neanderthals were formidable hunters and gatherers. Neanderthals were formidable hunters and gatherers. Hunted small rhinoceroses and other large animals such as elk, bison and even mammoths. Gathered edible plants, shellfish, and small reptiles. Hunted small rhinoceroses and other large animals such as elk, bison and even mammoths. Gathered edible plants, shellfish, and small reptiles.

Why did the Neanderthals disappear? Modern humans wiped them out? (brought in diseases) Modern humans wiped them out? (brought in diseases) Died out because they couldn’t compete with modern humans? Died out because they couldn’t compete with modern humans?

HOMO SAPIENS SAPIENS About 40,000 years ago, modern humans moved into Europe armed with skills to make clothing, better shelters and more efficient hearths. About 40,000 years ago, modern humans moved into Europe armed with skills to make clothing, better shelters and more efficient hearths. Named Cro-Magnon people after the French rock- shelter where 3 modern skeletons were discovered in 1868 Named Cro-Magnon people after the French rock- shelter where 3 modern skeletons were discovered in 1868 Cro-Magnons were Homo Sapiens who evolved in Africa and slowly pushed their way into Europe. Cro-Magnons were Homo Sapiens who evolved in Africa and slowly pushed their way into Europe. Developed the ability to endure colder climates, even those as cold as Iceland and Greenland. Developed the ability to endure colder climates, even those as cold as Iceland and Greenland.

Cro-Magnon people were about as tall as modern northwestern Europeans. Cro-Magnon people were about as tall as modern northwestern Europeans. Men 180 cm Tall. Men 180 cm Tall. Women 180 cm tall. Women 180 cm tall. Many of the same features as modern northwestern Europeans. Many of the same features as modern northwestern Europeans. High foreheads, curving noses, large jaws and small teeth and small teeth. High foreheads, curving noses, large jaws and small teeth and small teeth. Eventually their successors moved into Asia. Eventually their successors moved into Asia. About 30, 000 years ago, they crossed the Bering Strait after the retreat of the ice and entered the Americas, others Australia. About 30, 000 years ago, they crossed the Bering Strait after the retreat of the ice and entered the Americas, others Australia.

Use your notes and textbook to answer the following questions: 1. On what continent have the fossils of the earliest human ancestors been found? (p. 8) 2. Who is Charles Darwin? (p. 9) 3. Explain the process of natural selection. (p ) 4. Why was Darwin’s theory considered revolutionary? (p ) 5. Who is Lucy and why is she important? (p.14) 6. Do you think human evolution continues or have we as a species stopped evolving? Explain your answer.

1. On what continent have the fossils of the earliest human ancestors been found? Africa

2. Who is Charles Darwin? English biologist English biologist Known for creating in detail the theory of evolution Known for creating in detail the theory of evolution

3. Explain the process of natural selection. The strongest of a species survives while the weaker dies The strongest of a species survives while the weaker dies Only those who can adapt to their changing life and surroundings will survive Only those who can adapt to their changing life and surroundings will survive Survival of the fittest Survival of the fittest

4. Why was Darwin’s theory considered revolutionary? Darwin’s theory went against the popular believe of the time, creationism. Creationism is the belief that God created man and the world. Darwin’s theory went against the popular believe of the time, creationism. Creationism is the belief that God created man and the world.

5. Who is Lucy and why is she important? In 1974, a female hominid was found in Africa. In 1974, a female hominid was found in Africa. She was named Lucy after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” She was named Lucy after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” Lucy was 3.18 million years old; the oldest fossil found. Lucy was 3.18 million years old; the oldest fossil found. This discovery suggests that humans originated in Africa. This discovery suggests that humans originated in Africa.

6. Do you think human evolution continues or have we as a species stopped evolving? Explain your answer. Humans have evolved for thousands of years, why would we stop now? Humans have evolved for thousands of years, why would we stop now? Our environment may change (perhaps caused by global warming), we will have to adapt to survive in our new environment Our environment may change (perhaps caused by global warming), we will have to adapt to survive in our new environment Remember, changes are subtle and take many generations to take place Remember, changes are subtle and take many generations to take place

Quiz 1. What are primary documents? 2. Give one example of a primary document. 3. What are secondary documents? 4. Give one example of a secondary document. 5. Define the term “history”. 6. What is a creation myth? 7. What is bi-pedalism? 8. What is an advantage of bi-pedalism? 9. How did the Stone Age get its name? 10. On which continent did early man originate?