Origin of Humans World Studies

The beginning? Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26-27

Unit Overview In this unit, we are going to explore: The First Humans (week 5) The First Civilizations (week 6-7) Religion (week 8) Egypt/ Nile River DBQ (week 9)

Where did humans come from? Creationism The belief that God created the world and everything in it. Cultures all over the world each have their versions of how the world came to be. Example: Genesis (Christianity, Judaism) Evolution Humans developed over time from lesser animals. Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species in 1859 suggesting that humans had evolved over time and shared a common ancestor with apes. “Survival of the fittest”

The Gregorian calendar, which we follow, is based on the birth of Jesus Christ. Jesus was born in the year 1. B.C. (Before Christ, also Before Christian Era or Before Common Era) indicates anything that happened before the birth of Jesus Christ. Ex. The Roman Empire began around 500 B.C. A.D. (Anno Domini, Latin for “Year of the Lord” indicates anything that happened after the birth of Christ. Ex. Mr. P was born in 1981 A.D. A Note on B.C. and A.D.

Sample Timeline

African Origins Scientists believe the first “humans” existed over 2 million years ago in modern day Ethiopia, Africa. Lucy (3.2 million years old) Early human ancestor Not as developed as today’s humans.

Lucy’s Skeleton

How did humans spread to various places? Multi-Regional Theory Early humans left Africa and went to other parts of the world, then slowly evolved into modern humans. Migration, then evolution. “Out of Africa” Theory Modern humans evolved relatively recently in Africa, then migrated throughout the world. Evolution, then migration.

Multi-regional Theory

“Out of Africa” Theory

Old Stone Age 2,500,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE Humans were hunters and gatherers Men hunted small animals Women gathered fruits, nuts, seeds Lived in small bands of people Could not support large population because hunting was not very effective. Most were nomads Moved from place to place…No mad? No home! Followed herds of animals

Old Stone Age Humans of this time period found shelter in caves Humans left behind cave painting as evidence Simple tools were created out of stone

Cave Paintings

Stone Age Tools

What did Stone Age people look like? Hard to know for sure, but probably similar to the stereotypical “caveman.”

New Stone Age Neolithic Era or Agricultural Revolution Begins 10,000 BCE until 4,000 BCE Shift from nomadic lifestyle to settled, stationary lifestyle Plant and animal domestication (farming, livestock) One person can grow food for many Humans developed surplus of food. Grains, such as wheat and barley, can be stored.

New Stone Age Agriculture developed independently in different parts of the world. Growing crops on a regular basis made it possible to support larger populations. Domestication of animals allows for the replacement of manual power to animal power. More permanent settlements emerged.

Agricultural Hearths

What is the next step in the development of human settlements?

CIVILIZATIONS!