Chapter 1:i Discovery of Early Humans in Africa

History - the story of mankind - is divided into two time periods: Pre-historyHistory The period of history before people recorded events in writing. The period during which people left written records of their activities. Circa 5,500 years ago

The historical period is further sub-divided into periods: Pre-historyHistory Circa 5,500 years ago Before Christ Anno Domini Anno Domini means “In the year of the Lord” 0

Hominid member of the group that includes human beings and earlier human- like creatures

Anthropologists study primitive cultures in an effort to understand our ancestors. I’ll call you the poop Eaters.

The discipline of Anthropology can be divided into two fields: PhysicalCultural Compare bones and other fossil remains looking for changes in such features as the brain and posture. Study artifacts and cultural characteristics of humans and their ancestors.

Paleontologists are scientists who study fossil remains.

Archaeologists are scientists who study earlier peoples and cultures.

Artifacts are objects made or used by humans, such as tools,...

Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 2000, p. 19. ornaments,

Source: Biblical Archaeology Review, January/February 2000, p. 35. and pottery.

Archaeologists often dig into midden piles to learn about past cultures.

Distinctive designs identify which canned beverages the tab opened. Tab quantities indicate the popularity of each beverage. The brief time in which each tab design was manufactured helps date samples.

Radiocarbon Dating a modern scientific method for telling the age of once-living material by measuring the amount of radioactive carbon remaining in it

Japanese paleontologist Gen Suwa found one of the oldest hominid teeth at a site near Aramis, Ethiopia, in 1972.

Suwa and Tim D. White of the University of California eventually unearthed the remains of 17 individuals believed to have lived 4.4 million years ago.

Lucy was the most nearly complete skeleton of any erect- walking pre-human found. This find has recently been called into question by new scholarship. It may not be (pre)human.

As scientist unearth more clues, newer evidence may require them to reinterpret older evidence.

Many scientists believe that Australopithecus (“southern ape”) was the first pre- human hominid. [Image source:

They lived in the humid forests of eastern and southern Africa. [Image source:

Australopithecines were probably nomads who fed on fruits, leaves, and nuts, as well as fish caught in streams and meat scavenged from animals killed by predators. [Image source:

Earth experienced four long periods of cold climate known as Ice Ages where glaciers spread out and covered large portions of the earth.

Culture the way of life of a given people at a given time; it includes... knowledge language behavior, diet (laws and dress) religious beliefs achievements in art and music

Technology is the skill and knowledge used by people to make tools and do work. [Image source:

The period in history before the advent of writing when people first learned to fashion tools out of stone is known as the Stone Age. PaleolithicMesolithicNeolithic Pre-historyHistory Circa 5,500 years ago Old Stone Age New Stone Age Middle Stone Age 2.5 m.y.a12,000 B.C.8,000 B.C. Stone Age

Homo Habilis (“human of ability”) are probably the oldest hominids known to manufacture tools. [Image source:

At first mostly food gatherers, Homo Erectus (“human who walks upright”) eventually learned how to hunt animals.

Distribution of Homo erectus remains.

Scientists disagree on when prehistoric peoples left Africa and moved to other parts of the world.

Language made it possible to trace the migration of people. (Source: Scientific American, March 1990, p. 111.)

Chapter 1:ii The Appearance of Homo Sapiens [Image source:

Neanderthals were probably the first Homo sapiens. [Image source:

Neanderthals had brains that were slightly larger than those of modern human beings. [Image source:

Neanderthals had stocky bodies with thick bones and very muscular necks and shoulders. [Image source:

Tool Use The most significant tool developed were the sickle and the plow. Both contributed to the agricultural revolution and allowed the growth of civilization.

Other developments Grinding stone, ceramic (pottery/ fired clay), loom, wheel, metallurgy, Domestication of animals.