Prehistory – Early Human Development

Prehistory refers to the time before people developed writing includes beginning of human life until approximately 5000 BCE 1st “human-like” creatures known as hominids Radiocarbon dating used on prehistoric artifacts to determine age Measures decaying carbon in organic objects (anything once living) Can only be used if organic matter is less than 50,000 years old

Evolution of hominids: Australopithecus Homo Habilis Homo Erectus Homo Sapien Later group known as Homo Sapien Sapien

Oldest hominid remains 3.2 million years old - Johanson & Gray discover “Lucy” in 1974 Oldest hominid remains 3.2 million years old

Paleolithic Era 2 million years ago until approximately 8000 BCE Includes all hominid development levels Homo Erectus Divided responsibilities Males hunt & scavenged Females raise kids & gather vegetables Had 1st fire & clothing (possibly 500,000 years ago) Probably started talking Leads to oral traditions & communication of ideas/culture from generation to generation

Homo Sapiens 1st Homo Sapiens were known as Neanderthals Appeared 200,000 years ago Started in Africa, migrated to Europe about 100,000 years ago Hunter/gatherers Nomadic groups, 30-50 Migrated to climates suitable for weather (summer v. winter) Improvements in tools Culturally more advanced than homo erectus Probably had 1st religion

Homo Sapien Sapiens 1st Homo Sapien Sapiens originated in Africa 50,000 years ago Taller and less “built” than Neaderthals More sophisticated – wore fitted clothes, jewelry, etc. 1st known cave paintings - communication Cro-Magnons 1st European HSS Began to have leaders Strength, intelligence, organization

Development of Human Culture Ice Ages contributed to human culture Forced humans to migrate to warmer areas, adapt to colder climate, or die Human culture was formed Culture includes language, clothing, customs, religion, etc.

Neolithic Period People began to establish permanent, sedentary villages Villages established near rivers (constant water, good soil, animals, etc.) New methods of agriculture, fertilization, specialization of labor, etc. Earliest dated villages – Jericho in 8000 BCE and Catal Huyuk in 7000 BCE

Nomads vs. Farmers Early human-like creatures were Nomadic Traveled in small groups, hunted wild animals (high protein diet) Later humans begin farming and growing food Grown food was a high carb diet Hunters Farmers 5’9” 5’3” Male Female Avg. Age 5’5” 5’0” 26 19

Rise of Civilizations must have cities in order to have civilization (Greek civitas) cities have developed farming, trade, government, economy, art, etc. Civilization is dependent on farming & availability of food Excess food frees others to do different jobs Leads to specialization of labor Government is established to organize food production & distribution Military established to protect citizens & food surplus Writing is developed to keep track of food distribution & production Eventually used for all other means (records, laws, medicine, education, etc.)

How to Find History Anthropologist- Archeologist a scientists/historian who studies human cultures Archeologist A Scientists who works like a detective to uncover the story of prehistoric peoples

Indiana Jones

Continued Fossils Paleontologist Evidence of early life preserved in rocks. Paleontologist Scientists who studies fossils