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

Who studies prehistory?

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

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

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

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!

The “Real” Prehistory!

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

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…

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

Debate Topic: Creation vs. Evolution What do you think?  Creation 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

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

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”

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”

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”

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

Eras of Prehistory  Concepts to know – Paleolithic – Old Stone Age 4.5 million y.a. - 12,000 y.a. Mesolithic – Middle Stone Age 12,000 y.a. – 10,000 y.a. Neolithic – New Stone Age 10,000 y.a. – 8,000 y.a.

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

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

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

Life during Prehistory BeginningsTheory of African origins, migrations of early hominids and humans Hunters/GatherersLived in small hunting groups, all types of prey and any vegetation/fruits, nomadic Early Religious BeliefsAnimism, cave paintings, figurines, caring for the dead Agricultural RevolutionBeginnings of farming, domestication of animals Changing ways of lifePopulation growth in villages and cities, community mentality, roles of men/women, warfare, ownership and wealth New TechnologiesDevelopment of new skills/tools, metal working, plow, workshops, weaving Creation of cultureBlue-print for living

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

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

River Valley Civilizations MesopotamiaEgypt Indus China

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