Humanity Before Civilization An Introduction

The Nature of History What is history? The study of change over time What is history? The study of change over time What do historians do? They work to gather information on a time period, which significant change or development has occurred. What do historians do? They work to gather information on a time period, which significant change or development has occurred. Historians attempt to answer two important questions through their research Historians attempt to answer two important questions through their research Why did the change take place? Why did the change take place? What effects did the change have on the people who experienced it? What effects did the change have on the people who experienced it?

Historical Process Historians use a detailed process to develop their theories and viewpoints. Historians use a detailed process to develop their theories and viewpoints. This process includes the gathering information from a wide variety of sources. This process includes the gathering information from a wide variety of sources. Sources include physical remains from plants and animals Sources include physical remains from plants and animals Artifacts (human made objects) which include tools, pieces of broken pottery, and building ruins Artifacts (human made objects) which include tools, pieces of broken pottery, and building ruins

Historical Process cont’ Written records, which include primary documents (documents written by people living in a particular time period) and secondary accounts (documents written about past events) Written records, which include primary documents (documents written by people living in a particular time period) and secondary accounts (documents written about past events) Once historians have gathered information they must analyze it. Once historians have gathered information they must analyze it. Historians are rarely able to find all the facts they need to complete the process. Historians are rarely able to find all the facts they need to complete the process. Historians have to fill in the blanks by speculating and interpreting. Historians have to fill in the blanks by speculating and interpreting.

An image that may come to mind when you think of archaeologists

Detectives of the Past Archaeology- the study of the material remains of the past Archaeology- the study of the material remains of the past Archaeologists- are specialists in the study of early humans and early civilizations through physical remains Archaeologists- are specialists in the study of early humans and early civilizations through physical remains Fossils- are recognizable remains left from plants or animals that are preserved in the earth’s crust Fossils- are recognizable remains left from plants or animals that are preserved in the earth’s crust Anthropologists- are scientists who study the origin, development, distribution, social habits, and culture of humans Anthropologists- are scientists who study the origin, development, distribution, social habits, and culture of humans Paleontologists- examine fossil remains of animal and plant life as a way to understand past geological periods Paleontologists- examine fossil remains of animal and plant life as a way to understand past geological periods

Archaeology Archaeologists date their finds through carbon dating. Archaeologists date their finds through carbon dating. Archaeologists finds are most often found in sites located in hot, dry regions, such as deserts, or cold dry places such as the Arctic. Archaeologists finds are most often found in sites located in hot, dry regions, such as deserts, or cold dry places such as the Arctic. The oldest human fossil remains were found in Africa. The oldest human fossil remains were found in Africa. Africa is where archaeologists believe the first humans lived. Africa is where archaeologists believe the first humans lived. It is from Africa that the first humans moved out along the seaward border of Europe and Asia. It is from Africa that the first humans moved out along the seaward border of Europe and Asia. Humans did not enter western hemisphere until the fourth ice age. Humans did not enter western hemisphere until the fourth ice age.

Photo of an archaeologist at work

The early stages of human culture Human culture is the way people lived which includes arts, beliefs, inventions, traditions, language, and homes. Human culture is the way people lived which includes arts, beliefs, inventions, traditions, language, and homes. Stage One- humans lived in the open Stage One- humans lived in the open Stage Two-humans learned to use fire, which provided heat and light to their rock shelters. Stage Two-humans learned to use fire, which provided heat and light to their rock shelters. Stage Three- humans leaned to farm, and began to live in villages. Stage Three- humans leaned to farm, and began to live in villages.

Human Evolution Charles Darwin( ) an English biologist set sail on the exploration ship Beagle in Charles Darwin( ) an English biologist set sail on the exploration ship Beagle in During a five year round the world voyage Darwin collected fossils, examined geological formations, and studied plants and animals. During a five year round the world voyage Darwin collected fossils, examined geological formations, and studied plants and animals. As a result, Darwin began to doubt that divine creation brought all living things into existence in a single moment (creationism). As a result, Darwin began to doubt that divine creation brought all living things into existence in a single moment (creationism). Creationism- based on a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis (God created the earth and all living things) Creationism- based on a literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis (God created the earth and all living things)

Charles Darwin as a young explorer

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Based on the idea that species changed over time in response to their environment. Based on the idea that species changed over time in response to their environment. Darwin observed that members of a single species differ in shape, size, color, and strength. Darwin observed that members of a single species differ in shape, size, color, and strength. Darwin thought these variations could be inherited. Darwin thought these variations could be inherited. Survival of the fittest- organisms with characteristics not as well suited for their environments were more likely to die without producing young. Organisms with characteristics better suited for their environment were more likely to survive and produce offspring. Darwin called this process natural selection. Survival of the fittest- organisms with characteristics not as well suited for their environments were more likely to die without producing young. Organisms with characteristics better suited for their environment were more likely to survive and produce offspring. Darwin called this process natural selection.

Charles Darwin as an old man

Physical Evolution of Humans Hominids- humanlike creatures began to appear over four million years ago Hominids- humanlike creatures began to appear over four million years ago Hominids differ from apes due to their bipedalism (ability to walk on two feet), and their larger brains (increased intelligence). Hominids differ from apes due to their bipedalism (ability to walk on two feet), and their larger brains (increased intelligence). The ability to walk on two feet allowed for the free movement of hands for performing many tasks such as making tools and weapons. The ability to walk on two feet allowed for the free movement of hands for performing many tasks such as making tools and weapons. Hominids are members of the human family tree. Hominids are members of the human family tree.

This is an illustration of a homind

One theory as to why hominids began to walk upright was due to climate change in eastern and southwestern African forests, which changed into dry open grasslands. One theory as to why hominids began to walk upright was due to climate change in eastern and southwestern African forests, which changed into dry open grasslands.