Chapter 1 Investigating the Past

Early Human Migrations About 200,000 years ago, early humans of eastern Africa migrated to central and northern Africa. About 70,000 years ago, early humans of eastern Africa migrated to Sinai Peninsula.

Early Human Migrations About 50,000 years ago, early humans of southern Asia migrated to the continent of Australia. About 40,000 years ago, early humans of eastern Africa migrated to the continent of Europe. About 40,000 years ago, early humans of Asia migrated to northern Asia. About 20,000 years ago, early humans of northern Asia migrated to the continent of North America. About 15,000 years ago, early humans of North America migrated to the continent of South America.

Early Humans and the Rise of Civilization

How do social scientists interpret the past? People who study history are a lot like detectives conducting an investigation. They ask questions, study the evidence for clues, and form hypotheses (educated guesses).

Detectives Who Study the Past Social studies is the study of people. Scholars who study human society are called social scientists. Many social scientists can help us study the past. Among these “history detectives” are archaeologists, historians, and geographers.

Cave Paintings

Cave Painting of Animals

Cave Painting of Shapes and Handprints

Spear Thrower

Clay Sculptures

Cave Art Tools

Summary