Prehistory

Prehistory Historians generally use documents or written records to recreate the past. Prehistory means the period before writing was developed.

Archaeology *Artifacts-tools, pottery, paintings, weapons, buildings *The study of past societies based on an analysis of what people left behind-artifacts *Artifacts-tools, pottery, paintings, weapons, buildings

Anthropology The study of human life and culture Use the remains of humans and other artifacts to create theories of past life and lifestyles

Dating Artifacts and Fossils These scientists develop theories based on: Stratigraphy: idea that is based on the idea that older artifacts or remains will be found deeper than those found above them Radiocarbon dating: used to estimate the age of living things based on the radioactive particles that are present

Early Stages of Human Development

Early Humans Lucy—click to view video clip First humanlike creatures lived 4 million years ago-australopithecines “southern ape” in Africa Hominid-walked upright and made simple tools They also were discovered to have an opposable thumb that allowed them to pick up and hold objects—tools which would be made primarily of stone. Lucy—click to view video clip

Homo habilis A more advanced hominid with a larger brain. “Man of Skill” Developed 2.5 to 1.6 million years ago. May have used stone tools (made of lava).

Homo Erectus “upright human being” Used tools for specialized purposes Dug for food, cut meat from animal bones, and scraped animal skins First use of fire May have had the first spoken language Lived about 1.6 million years ago Homo erectus—click to view video clip

Homo Sapiens By around 200,000 BC, these modern humans lived in Africa—they eventually migrated to Eurasia, Australia, and North America “wise human being” Neanderthals and Homo sapiens sapiens (“wise wise human being”) It is unclear if these two competed with one another, but evidence supports the idea that they did live near each other.

Homo sapiens Neanderthal Cro-Magnon “Homo sapiens sapiens” Lived in caves or built shelter of wood/animal remains Found ways to survive the freezing temperatures of the Ice Age First to bury the dead-would imply a belief in the afterlife Disappeared around 30,000 BC “Homo sapiens sapiens” Truly modern humans “thinking thinking man” More environmentally adaptive

Eras of Early Human Life Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) Historians usually date this period from 2,500,000 to 8,000 BCE. Early humans used stone tools and utilized hunting (men) and gathering (women) techniques to get their food. They were nomadic people (moved place to place). Found shelter in caves or created shelters using wooden poles and animal hides. Used fire to keep warm and to cook their food.

Eras of Early Human Life The hunter-gatherer lifestyle led early humans to develop a close relationship with the world around them. As a result, early humans sought to depict the world they saw. Why might early humans have created cave paintings?

Eras of Early Human Life The Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age) Depending on place, dates somewhere in 8000 BCE to 2700 BCE Specialized stone tools such as the bow and arrow, fishhooks, harpoons, and canoes

Eras of Early Human Life The Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) Dates from about 10,000 to 8,000 years ago Polished tools such as wedges, saws, drills, chisels, and needles Period of systematic agriculture (growing food on a regular basis) and domestication (adapt for human use) of animals

Agricultural Revolution The shift from hunting animals and gathering food to using of animals and growing of food Occurred at different times around the world Humans had greater control over their world Began to settle in communities *Possibly the most important development in human history

Bronze Age The end of the Neolithic Age comes with the use of metals Dates from around 3000 BC to 1200 BC Led to an increase in concentrations of people in river valleys and a rise of civilizations

Civilization A complex culture in which large numbers of human beings share a number of common elements Rise of Cities Growth of Governments (maintain food surplus) Organized Religion Social Structure Use of Writing Artistic Activity

Other Characteristics Development of specific culture-way of life of a people Rise of monarchs-king or queen who ruled a kingdom Rise of artisans-skilled workers that made items such as weapons or jewelry