Chapter 1 Prehistory

Pre-history- time before written records Chapter 1.1 Pre-history- time before written records

Prehistory Archaeologists & Antropologists- create theories, not facts based on archaeological/ and biological info. Archaelogists- studies structures of past society based on analyzing artifacts. Antropologists- focuses on culture by studying artifacts and fossils. Both want to know how old something is.

Discoveries Study tools/ weapons- theories of economic and military structures. Study bones/hides- tells us about the diets of people. Radiocarbon dating- accurate to 50,000 yrs. Old. Thermo luminescence dating- accurate to 200,000 yrs. Old. DNA/Blood molecule analysis gives info. About societies of pre-history.

Oldest to Youngest Australopithecines- 3 to 4 million yrs ago Homo habilis- 2.5 to 1.5 million yrs. Ago. Homo- erectus- 1.5 to 70,000 yrs. Ago Homo sapiens- 250,000 yrs ago to 100,000 yrs ago Neanderthals- 100,000 to 30,000 BC Cro- magnon- 40,000 to 8,000 BC Homo- sapien- sapiens- about 100,000 yrs ago to present.

Stages of Man’s Development Australopithecines Nickname: southern Apes Place of Origin: Africa, East/South Time lived: 3 to 4 million yrs. Ago. Characteristics: 1st to walk upright 1st to make stone tools, simple Small brains, projecting face Brian 500 cm

Homo habilis Nickname- handy man Place of origin- East Africa Time lived- 2.5 million to 1.5 million yrs. Ago Characteristics 3’ to 5’, 73 lbs to 120 lbs More advanced stone tools. Brain 700 cm

Homo-erectus nickname: man who walks upright Place of origin: Africa, then Europe, and Asia. Time lived: 1.5 million years ago to 70,000 years ago Characteristics: larger, bigger variety of stone tools Learned to use fire Looked like modern man, but 70% smaller brain (brain 1,000 cm) 5’9”, 130 lbs.

Homo- Sapiens Nickname: wise human beings Place of origin: Africa, Europe, then Asia Time lived: 250,000 to 100,000 years ago.

Neanderthals Subgroup of homo- sapiens Place: Europe, Neader Valley in Germany. (Europe, S.W. Asia) Time: 100,000 to 30,000 BC Characteristics: Variety of stone tools 1st to bury their dead (might have had a religion) Made clothes from animal skins 5’2” 120 to 150 lbs Stockey, short limbs

Cro- magnon Subgroup of Homo- sapiens 1st found in France, Europe Time lived- 40,000 to 8,000 BC Characteristics: Looked like us- taller, more robust physique, larger brain capacity. 1400 cm. Created art.

Homo- Sapien sapiens Nickname: wise, wise, man Place of origin: Africa, to Europe, to all parts of world Time lived: 100,000 to present Characteristics: 4’6” to 6’2” 110 to 120 lbs modern man.

Paleolithic Age Greek word for Old Stone Age- lasted from 2,500,000 to 10,000 BC Period of time humans used simple tools made of stone. Nomadic- they needed to follow animal migrations and vegetation cycles. (small groups 20 to 30 people) Hunters/gatherers- ate animals, hunted, gathered berries, fruits, wild grains, etc.

Role of men/women Both men and women played an important role in providing for the groups survival. Men hunted & the women gathered. Therefore, a rough equality existed. When early man moved into colder climates, (500,000 yrs. ago- started use of fire)

Fire’s Importance Warmth- helped during the Iceage in Europe, Asia, and North America which lasted from 100,000 to 8,000 BC. Protection-scared away animals. Cook food- better tasting, easier to digest. made by friction, or use of iron pyrites.

Art ADD PICTURE Lascauz (la. Skoh) S.W. France 25,000 to 12,000 BC. Magical or ritual use to insure success in hunting. Colors used- red, yellow, and black.

8,000 BC to 4,000 BC- Greek for New Stone Age Neolithic Age 8,000 BC to 4,000 BC- Greek for New Stone Age

Neolithic Revolution Shift from hunting/gathering to the keeping of animals and the growing of food on a regular basis. This is called systematic agriculture It provides a regular supply of food Domestication of animals (adaptation of animals for human use), provided regular supply of meat, milk, and wool. (Also animals could do work)- This led to an agricultural revolution ** most important development in history

Consequences of the Neolithic Revolution Humans could have greater control over environment Humans could give up nomadic ways of life and live in settled communities. Food surpluses made it possible for people to do things other than farming (not worried about survival) Artisans- skilled workers- made jewelry, weapons, and traded w/ neighbors leads to the start of trade exposes people to other cultures. Religion starts to grow Villages or towns start Trade starts Division of labor stars  certain people specialize in certain crafts. Flax/cotton used to make cloth. Roles of men/women change. The men became more active in farming/herding (took them away from home). The women stayed home, cared for children, wove cloth, and turned milk into cheese. The men were therefore taking on a more dominant role than women, because they were taking more responsibility for getting food and protecting the settlement (This continues today).

4,000 to 3,000 BC Metals are starting to be used. Copper is the 1st metal used Bronze Age- 3,000 BC to 1,200 BC-