1. Prehistory
6,000,000,000 b.c.e. to
10,000 b.c.e.

2. Who studies prehistory?

3. Archaeologists “DIG” up the past
Discover artifacts (man-made objects) and human remains
Use curiosity and bias to try and determine what exactly was found

4. Anthropologist “STUDY” the past
Describe artifacts and remains archaeologists find at dig sites
Use inferences/hypotheses, bias and whatever technology available to try and figure out the past

5. Historian “TELLS” about the past
Uses the information the Archaeologist and Anthropologist gathered to tell about the past
Uses whatever technology and resources that are available to share the story of the past

6. You “LEARN” about the past
Using everything that the previous professionals have done for you; and being curious, look at the material and give an effort to make sense of the past
Use resources, ask questions and simply be curious about the past
You’re the “puzzle maker”, put it together!

7. The “Real” Prehistory!

9. Where do we begin. How long ago was it. Was it creation or evolution
Where do we begin? How long ago was it? Was it creation or evolution? What hominids or people lived during that time?

10. Those are all good questions, but let’s get to the real stuff uncovered and discussed by archaeologists, anthropologists and historians… shall we… have fun and be curious…

11. What is prehistory? Prehistory is the time period before written records were kept by people.

12. Debate Topic: Creation vs. Evolution What do you think?
Belief that a higher power created the world
Time is relative with everything beginning at the same time
Beliefs, animals, people and civilization have common origins
Evolution
Belief that the world was created over billions of years
Time is constant with everything happening as a result of earlier things
Beliefs, animals, people and civilizations have developed over time, but have similar origins

19. Australopithecines What? “Southern Ape” When? 4 million - 2.5 million
Where? East Africa
Characteristics? Small, timid, “ape-like”, gatherer/scavenger/hunter, “opportunist”, nomadic, tool user, migration
Contributions? “walker”, “thinker”

21. Homo Habilis What? “Human with ability”
When? 2.5 million – 1.5 million
Where? Africa, Asia
Characteristics? “ape/man-like”, oldest hominid tool maker, stone tools, advanced thinking, limited speech, gatherer/hunter
Contributions? “walking ability”

23. Homo Erectus What? “Walking Ability” When? 1.6 million – 250,000 b.c.
Where? Africa, Europe and Asia
Characteristics? Adapted to environment, gatherer/scavenger/hunter, improved tool maker, fire, clothing
Contributions? “Sophisticated thinking”

25. Neanderthals What? Hominid, “Missing Link”
When? 200,000 b.c. – 50,000 b.c.
Where? Europe, Asia
Characteristics? Stocky, muscular, adapted to environment, hunter/gatherer, fire, superstitions, sophisticated ideas – language, beliefs, tools, ideas, sensitivity, creativity
Contributions? “Cultural Beliefs”

27. Cro-Magnon What? “Modern Man” When? 50,000 b.c. – present day
Where? All continents, except Antarctica
Characteristics? “US”, earliest modern-looking people, created the basis for modern civilization
Contributions? Our world and civilization

29. Eras of Prehistory Concepts to know –
Paleolithic – Old Stone Age (skip line, info on later slides)
4.5 million y.a. - 12,000 y.a.
Mesolithic – Middle Stone Age (skip line, info on later slides)
12,000 y.a. – 10,000 y.a.
Neolithic – New Stone Age (skip line, info on later slides)
10,000 y.a. – 8,000 y.a.

30. * Paleolithic Era Paleolithic means “Old Stone Age”
About 4,500,000 years ago to 12,000 years ago
Simple stone/bone tools, nomadic, small groups, “survival” mentality, scavenger/gatherer/hunter
Hominid vs. Early People
Australopithecines, Homo Halibis, Homo Erectus, Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon

36. * Mesolithic Era Means “Middle Stone Age”
About 12,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago
Improved methods of tool making (polished stone), semi-nomadic, animism, artwork and beliefs, life after death, hunter/gatherer/early farming experimentation
Advancements of early human groupings (Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon)
Major movement toward creation of civilization

39. * Neolithic Era Means “New Stone Age”
About 10,000 years ago to 8000 years ago
Creation of tools out of metal instead of stone, permanent settlements, farmer/hunter/gatherer, division of labor, domestication of animals for labor/food, plow, weaving
Development of permanent societies led to the development of civilization

42. Life during Prehistory
Beginnings
Theory of African origins, migrations of early hominids and humans
Hunters/Gatherers
Lived in small hunting groups, all types of prey and any vegetation/fruits, nomadic
Early Religious Beliefs
Animism, cave paintings, figurines, caring for the dead
Agricultural Revolution
Beginnings of farming, domestication of animals
Changing ways of life
Population growth in villages and cities, community mentality, roles of men/women, warfare, ownership and wealth
New Technologies
Development of new skills/tools, metal working, plow, workshops, weaving
Creation of culture
Blue-print for living

48. *** IMPORTANT CONCEPT TO UNDERSTAND***
ASSIMILATION:
Blending of cultures

49. Creation of culture led to the creation of civilization
Characteristics of Civilization –
Cities
Organized Governments
Religion
Division of Labor
Social Classes
Arts and Architecture
Public Works Projects
Writing

51. River Valley Civilizations
Mesopotamia
Egypt
China
Indus

52. Where are the 4 Cradles of Civilization (River Valley Civilizations)
Where are the 4 Cradles of Civilization (River Valley Civilizations)? What similarities does each RVC have in common with the others? (knowledge)

53. PREHISTORY
6,000,000,000 b.c.e. to
10,000 b.c.e.