1. The Stone Age

2. Early Discoveries
Historians call the time before there was writing prehistory.
Hominid (HAH-muh-nuhd) is an early ancestor of humans

3. Four major groups of hominids:
Early Hominids
Four major groups of hominids:
Ramapithecus (10-12 million)
probably ancestral to the orangutan
Australopithecus (3 million)
name means “southern ape”
Homo habilis (2 million -
1st accepted human beings) name means “handy man”
Homo erectus (2 – 1.5 million)
name means “upright man”
Homo sapiens ( )
name means “wise man”

4. What continent are all of these sites located?
Oldest hominid discovery is that of Lucy – who lived more than 3 million years ago.

5. Stone Age Time Periods Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age)
Lasted until about years ago
First tools – used to process food (chop, cut, scrape). Later develop hand axe – used to cut trees and dig.
First societies – Hunter-gatherer
First Language, Art, and Religion (language easily the most important – how to distribute food)

6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAJA4qq5WaI (8min video)
Cave Painting
No one knows for sure why people created cave paintings, or what they were trying to accomplish.
It is, to some, the Oldest Enigma.
(8min video)

7. Otzi – The Iceman
Why was a Stone Age traveler in Europe’s highest mountains?
When did he live? about 5,300 years ago
Where did he live? Otztal Alps
What did he do? He was travelling, and believed to have frozen to death ... Until they discovered an arrowhead in his shoulder
Why is he important?
His clothes were three types of animal skin, he wore leather shoes padded with grass, a grass cape, a fur hat, and a backpack. He had an axe with a copper blade.

8. Early Human Migration
According to historians, which continent did humans reach last?
Any issues with this conclusion?

9. Jared Diamond (ep. 1)

11. Stone Age Time Periods 2) Mesolithic Era (Middle Stone Age)
ran approximately to years ago
People found new uses for bone and stone tools.
Some learned to make canoes by hallowing out logs (Fishing and travel increase)
Pottery begins
First dogs kept as pets (for hunting and security)
Bow and arrow make first appearance

12. Stone Age Time Periods Neolithic Era (New Stone Age)
Began at different times in different regions
People start to polish stones, make tools like saws, and how to create fire (before it was only used if started by natural causes).
New Stone Age ends in Egypt and Southwest Asia about years ago (when metal is used).
This era also ushers in the Agricultural Revolution!

13. Catal Huyuk Built on a hill and occupied for > 1000 years 32 acres
5000 inhabitants at its peak
Plastered and painted (and gutters for rain)
Entered houses from the roof
Vultures would pick dead bodies clean before burial

14. One city does not thrive; it takes a network of cities to thrive
Catal Huyuk con’t
Hunter/Gatherer
Sayer
Moves around a lot
Agriculture becomes necessary
No one member has lots of stuff because of moving around a lot
Because stationary, able to focus on stuff in a house – painting, beads, mirrors.
Only material in Catal Huyuk was mud, so to increase quality of life, trade was needed
Trade would be in the form of surplus food and probably pottery
One city does not thrive; it takes a network of cities to thrive
Agriculture starts a diverse socio-economic standard
Urban areas become more attractive than rural areas
Trade arises that could not exist without a city infrastructure