WHI.02: Early Humans In this space, you will create a visual representation of what you have learned in the notes that follow on pages 9-15. You will be graded on your use of space, color and perceived effort not on artistic ability. WHI.2 The student will demonstrate knowledge of early development of humankind from the Paleolithic Era to the agricultural revolution by a) explaining the impact of geographic environment on hunter-gatherer societies; b) listing characteristics of hunter-gatherer societies, including their use of tools and fire; c) describing technological and social advancements that gave rise to stable communities; d) explaining how archaeological discoveries are changing present-day knowledge of early peoples. Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 9
Essential Understandings of Early Humans 1. The life of early hunter-gatherer societies was shaped by their physical environment. 2. Early human societies, through the development of culture, began the process of overcoming the limits set by the physical environment. 3. The beginning of settled agriculture (including permanent settlements) was a major step in the advance of civilization. 4. Archaeologists continue to find and interpret evidence of early humans and their lives. 5. Rivers/waterways were extremely important to early civilizations. Essential Questions about Early Humans 1. More than anything else, what shaped the lives of early hunter-gatherer societies? 2. What were the key characteristics of societies of the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)? 3. What were the major characteristics of the Neolithic Era (New Stone Age)? 4. Why were river valleys important to the development civilization? 5. How did the beginning of agriculture and the domestication of animals promote the rise of settled communities? Why do I need to know this? 1. Early humans discoveries helped them survive, grow in numbers, and spread across the globe to inhabit the areas we live in today. 2. New methods for obtaining food and the development of technology laid the foundations for modern civilizations. 3. Contemporary civilizations share the same characteristics typical of ancient civilizations. 4. All major modern cities are located on a river or other body of water. Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 10
Human Origins in Africa Scientists search for Human Origins Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age) Humans (Homo Sapiens) 1. prehistory the time in history before writing 2. archaeologists scientists who learn about early peoples by study the remains of their civilizations 3. artifacts remains (tools, jewelry, etc.) of an earlier people (ex. tools, jewelry, pottery, etc.) 4. culture a people's unique way of life 5. carbon dating to see how old some artifacts are 6. Stonehenge is an example of and archaeological site in England that was begun during the Neolithic and completed during the Bronze Age 7. hominid humans and other creatures who walk upright 8. 1974 Donald Johanson (p.8) discovered the oldest hominid found to date a. named her "Lucy" 1. Australopithecus (4 million to 1 million B.C.) a. what Lucy was b. first humanlike creature to walk upright 2. Homo Habilis (2.5 million to 1.5 million B.C.) a. first hominid to use tools to cut meat and crack open bones 3. Homo Erectus (1.6 million to 30,000 B.C.) a. developed technology ways of applying knowledge, tools and inventions to meet their needs b. were skillful hunters c. first to migrate from Africa to Southeast Asia and Europe d. first to use fire and spoken language e. created cave art 1. emerged in East Africa somewhere between 100,000 and 400,000 years ago 2. migrated from Africa to Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas. 3. Neanderthals (200,000 to 30,000 B.C.) a. developed religious beliefs and rituals and performed funerals b. lived in caves and temporary shelters 4. Cro-Magnons (40,000 to 8,000 B.C.) a. cooperated with one another and planned their hunts b. skeleton show that they are identical to modern humans 5. Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons overlapped for 10,000 years, causing a competition for land and resources Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 11
time frame found where? important firsts Australopithecus 4 M to 1.5M BC Africa First hominid to walk upright. Paleolithic Age Homo Habilis 2.5M to 1.5M BC Africa First to use tools. Evolution Homo Erectus 1.6M to 30,000 BC Africa, SE Asia and Europe First to: Use technology Use fire Migrate from Africa Us e spoken language Mesolithic Age Homo Sapiens Neanderthal Cro-Magnon 200,000 to 30,000 BC 40,000 to 8,000 BC Africa, Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas Africa, Eurasia, Australia, and the Americas Developed religious beliefs Lived in caves and temporary shelters. Cooperated with one another and planned their hunts. Skeleton show that they are identical to modern humans Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 12
Human Origins in Africa Hunter Gatherers 1. earlier hominids (Australopithecus up through Cro-Magnon) were nomads a. nomads wanderers from place to place 2. hunter-gatherers nomads whose food supply depended on hunting animals and collecting plants 3. their lives were shaped by their environment Neolithic Revolution Neolithic Age 1. Paleolithic Age (400,000-10,000 B.C.) old stone age 2. Neolithic Age (new stone age) began around 10,000 B.C. 3. beginnings of agriculture 4. began planting seeds and growing their own food a. slash and burn farming method of farming where people cut trees and grass and burned them to clear a field; ashes fertilized the soil b. developed advanced tools for agriculture 5. made pottery and developed weaving skills 6. domestication taming of animals 7. allowed for humans to remain in one location 8. villages began appearing in river valleys a. provided drinking water for humans and animals b. was a source of water for crops and plants c. was a source of food fishing and hunting any wild animals that came to get a drink d. used for transportation and trade easier than traveling overland 9. Metal Ages a. Copper and Bronze Ages (4000-1000 B.C.) b. Iron Age (began around 1000 B.C.) Villages Grow Into Cities Economic Changes Social Changes 1. built irrigation systems to produce surplus crops 2. food surpluses freed some villagers to pursue other jobs and to develop skills besides farming 3. two important inventions that enabled traders to transport more goods over longer distances were the wheel and the sail 1. social classes with varying wealth, power and influence emerged 2. farming peoples worshipped gods based on the forces of nature Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 13
Age Paleolithic Mesolithic Neolithic Dates 2.5Million to 12,000 BC 12,000 to 8,000 BC 8,000 to 5,000 BC Procuring Food/ Economy Gathering fruits, leaves, and nuts. Hunting animals in groups. Domesticating animals. Agriculture. The Stone Ages Tools wooden diggings sticks; stone tools; learned to make and use fire bone, antler and ivory tools; ax, bow and arrow plow, loom (made clothes), hammer; use of metals; pottery Society X X X Dwellings Mobile lifestyle: caves, huts, mostly by rivers and lakes Farms that grew into villages; mostly by rivers and lakes Spiritual Beliefs life after death; burial practices; cave paintings sculpted figures; shrines for deities; myths Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 14
Villages Grow Into Cities Early Villages and Cities 1. Catal Huyuk the oldest village ever found (in south-central Turkey) a. roughly 6,000 people and made religious shrines dedicated to a mother-goddess 2. Aleppo and Jericho are two examples of early cities in the Fertile Crescent Five Characteristics of a Civilization 1. Advanced Cities birthplaces of the first civilizations a. have a center of trade, villages do not 2. Specialized Workers a. specialization development of skills in a specific kind of work b. artisans skilled workers who make things by hand (jewelry, weapons, clothing) c. an economy based off of bartering (trading) developed 3. Complex Institutions a. institutions long lasting pattern of organization within a community a. a system of ruling became necessary government b. religions created temples and worship rituals 4. Advanced Technology a. new tools for farming like the ox-drawn plow b. Bronze Age people began using bronze instead of copper to fashion tools and weapons 5. Record Keeping a. priests needed some way to keep track of the yearly calendar and important rituals b. merchants had to record accounts of debts and payments c. scribes professional record keepers Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 15
Summary DIRECTIONS: Choose only one of the following: a) write a summary (25-75 words) of what you believe was the most important aspect of the notes/lecture b) write what you believe to be the most interesting or memorable part of the notes/lecture (25-75 words) c) draw something that symbolizes the notes/lecture to you (has to be different than your title page) Notes WHI.02: Early Humans 16