1. The Earliest Human Societies to 2500 BCE
HI 101 Origins of Civilization Fall 2014

2. Study Questions: How did humans evolve and where did they migrate?
What were the key features of Paleolithic Society?
How did the Agricultural Revolution develop and how did it effect human society?
How did growing social hierarchies increase the complexity of humans society in the Neolithic Period?

3. Prehistory
Human history before the invention of writing & the keeping of written records (about or circa (ca.) 3,500 BCE)
Lasted over 10 million years!
Hominids: immediate ancestors of Humans appeared ca. 10 million plus years ago in Africa
Hominids—species family that contains Humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans

4. Prehistory Four Key Elements: Ancestors of Humans appeared in Africa
Homo Sapiens (our species of Hominids or “Modern Humans”) appeared ca BCE
Homo Sapiens migrated out of Africa
Humans began to invent culture—or modify the environment to fit their needs & transmit culture to future generations

5. Culture: ways of living built up by a group and passed on from one generation to another, including behavior, material things, ideas, institutions, and religion.  The combination of speech and material invention was necessary for the development of human culture.

6. PreEvolution and Migration
Early Hominids:
Australopithecus (“Lucy”)
Homo habilis
Homo erectus
Homo sapiens

7. AFRICA: Modern Human Beginnings
Australopithecus
Oldest bipedal hominid found
3.2 Million Years Old
Walked upright
Carried & used tools—led to larger brains
Evolved into Homo Habilis

8. “Lucy,” Hadar, Ethiopia

9. Homo Habilis (Handy man)
Lived 2.5 million years ago
Made and used sharpened stone tools
Increased intelligence
Evolved into Homo Erectus

10. Homo Erectus (upright human)
2 million years ago
Improved tool-making skills
Better hunting
Increased vocal ability, mobility
migrated out of east Africa to Eurasia

11. Homo Sapiens (Thinking Humans)
Emerged in East Africa
Larger brains
Better language ability
Migrated across Africa to Eurasia
Interbred with and replaced Homo Erectus—colonized the globe

12. Why are Big Brains Important?
Language=social organization
Better for attracting a mate & passing big brains onto later generations
Make better weapons—fish hooks, harpoons, snares, traps
Get more food!
Bigger brains need more energy and require more food

13. Human Migration & Differentiation
Pre-Historic Man
Migrated throughout the world by raft or crossing land formations
Racial Differentiation

15. “Racial” Differentiation
If we all started in Africa, then why do we look so different?
Migrating groups became isolated & mated within the same group
Environment and breeding led to differences in skin and hair color, eye and body shape
Created different cultural practices
The term “race” and “racial” categories were developed in the 1700s in Europe
HUMANS ARE ALL MEMBERS OF THE SAME SPECIES!

16. Prehistory There are 2 important time periods in Pre-history
Paleolithic: 250,000-9,000 BCE
Neolithic: ca BCE

17. Paleolithic Society 250,000-9,000 BCE
Humans completely dependent on their environment
Foraged for food—mostly plants, fish, seafood, small animals
Hunted some large game with spears and bows
Art & Culture:
Evidence suggest body ornamentation, ceremonial burials, paintings, decorations, musical instruments, & expressions of self-identity
Spirituality:
Careful burials suggest belief in afterlife
Animism: everything around them had a spirit

18. Finger Marks / Handprints (p. 13)
1. What kinds of behavior and thinking engaged in by humans today might have led to the production of the ancient finger marks and handprints pictured?
(Answer: The child’s finger marks and the hand prints suggest play and art, perhaps like finger painting today. They also point to a sense of self-identity; a statement that “I was here.” As the text suggests, it is possible that the handprints were part of an adolescent initiation of a type we would call “religious” today.)
2. These paintings were both discovered deep within caves. What common human traits might have led Paleolithic men and women to penetrate far into cave systems?
(Answer: Curiosity and/or a sense of awe could have led these people to explore these caves.
3. These images survived because they were hidden and protected from the elements. Conditions of humidity and temperature in the caves would also have contributed to their preservation. Taking this into consideration, do you think that making art was common or uncommon among Paleolithic peoples? Consider what kinds of materials might have been used in art, and which were perishable.
(Answer: Many of the materials which could have been used in art, such as wood, animal hides, bark, and reeds, would have decomposed long ago. It is probable that Paleolithic humans were making much art that has left no trace. )

19. Finger Marks / Handprints (p. 13)
1. What kinds of behavior and thinking engaged in by humans today might have led to the production of the ancient finger marks and handprints pictured?
(Answer: The child’s finger marks and the hand prints suggest play and art, perhaps like finger painting today. They also point to a sense of self-identity; a statement that “I was here.” As the text suggests, it is possible that the handprints were part of an adolescent initiation of a type we would call “religious” today.)
2. These paintings were both discovered deep within caves. What common human traits might have led Paleolithic men and women to penetrate far into cave systems?
(Answer: Curiosity and/or a sense of awe could have led these people to explore these caves.
3. These images survived because they were hidden and protected from the elements. Conditions of humidity and temperature in the caves would also have contributed to their preservation. Taking this into consideration, do you think that making art was common or uncommon among Paleolithic peoples? Consider what kinds of materials might have been used in art, and which were perishable.
(Answer: Many of the materials which could have been used in art, such as wood, animal hides, bark, and reeds, would have decomposed long ago. It is probable that Paleolithic humans were making much art that has left no trace. )

20. Cave Paintings of Horses and a Horned Auroch (p. 17)
1. Why might the artist have been particularly interested in horses and aurochs (wild ancestors of cattle)?
(Answer: These were pre-agricultural societies that depended on hunting and gathering for food. These animals were a food source, and may have been revered for their critical importance for daily survival. )
2. The painting includes at least two different pigments. What does this suggest about the artist’s knowledge of his or her environment?
(Answer: Hunter-gatherer groups that have existed in recent times have an extraordinarily detailed knowledge of the plants, animals, and minerals of their environment and these things’ possible uses. The artist’s knowledge of different pigments probably reflected such knowledge. )
3. Is it possible to determine or make a good guess about what these paintings meant to the artist?
(Answer: This is really a question for open discussion. On the one hand scholars have argued by analogy with modern hunter-gatherer groups that these paintings might have been part of some ritual magic intended to ensure a successful hunt. On the other, we don’t know for sure if this analogy holds up. The paintings could have been part of other types of religious ritual or magic, or they could have been “art for art’s sake.” )

21. Neanderthal burials

22. Neolithic Era, ca BCE
Development of Agriculture—Humans became independent of nature
Agricultural Revolution: Began in “Fertile Crescent” of Mesopotamia
Planting of seeds
Domestication of animals
Increased human population
More settled lifestyle—permanent housing, food storage
Specialized labor—tool makers, Pot makers, home builders, etc.

25. Neolithic Tools from Lakes in Switzerland (p. 18)
1. What kinds of activities do the tools indicate these Neolithic people were engaged in?
(Answer: Awls – making clothing or shelter from animal hides.
Arrow Heads – hunting and/or warfare.
Chisels and Axes – carpentry/woodworking.
Spindles – making thread, yarn, or rope out of plant fiber.
Sickle Blades – harvesting domesticated and/or wild grains. )
2. The people who made and used these tools lived by lakes. Why might a lake have been a particularly favorable place to establish a permanent settlement, even before the advent of agriculture?
(Answer: Some scholars hypothesize that many of the earliest permanent human settlements (as opposed to temporary camps) depended on fishing and/or shellfish gathering for survival.)
3. The implements pictured appear to be made from bone, stone, and possibly clay. What perishable materials might tools, clothing, utensils, etc. also have been made from?
(Answer: We know relatively little about the Paleolithic and Neolithic toolkits because these ancient humans must have used wood, rushes and plant fibers, animal bladders, hides, and other perishable materials for many implements. Except for a very few items preserved in swamps or freezing environments, these tools have not survived. )

26. Social Hierarchy & Slavery
Stored food—
Valuable
Source of conflict
Required more complex rules—led to formation of power structures
People with power became elites in society who controlled resources
Needed force to maintain power
Eventually bought the labor of others or other people
Allowed for rise of Priestly class—responsible for rituals to ensure good harvest

27. Development of Trade Networks
Settled societies began to trade goods with one another