Prehistory OverviewPrehistory Overview

(A look at some broad changes over (A look at some broad changes over time)time)

Hey, where did my jaw

go?

Who were the ancestors of Who were the ancestors of modern humans?modern humans?

Australopithecus (think of Lucy Australopithecus (think of Lucy vs.vs.HominidHominid

Small brainSmall brain Large brainLarge brain Large TeethLarge Teeth Small teethSmall teeth

Homo Homo habilis habilis = first human species to use tools= first human species to use tools

Homo Homo erectuserectus = first human species to walk upright = first human species to walk upright

Homo Homo sapienssapiens= first human species to “think” or = first human species to “think” or plan… our species!plan… our species!

Paleolithic Age Paleolithic Age (6,000,000 to (6,000,000 to 8,000 B.C.)8,000 B.C.)

• During Ice AgeDuring Ice Age• Food obtained by hunting/ gatheringFood obtained by hunting/ gathering• Advancements:Advancements:

Stone toolsStone toolsFireFireSpoken languageSpoken language

• Two groups active in the Paleolithic Age: Two groups active in the Paleolithic Age: Neantherthals and Cro-MagnonsNeantherthals and Cro-Magnons

A reconstructed Neanderthal skeleton (left) as compared to a modern human.

What differences between the two do you notice?

Image from: http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/050310/neanderthal.vlarge.

Mesolithic Age Mesolithic Age (8,000 to 6,000 (8,000 to 6,000 B.C.)B.C.)

Ice Age overIce Age over Advancements:Advancements:

Fishing (boats, nets, fish hook)Fishing (boats, nets, fish hook) Wild dogs (jackals) domesticatedWild dogs (jackals) domesticated Tools such as harpoons, bows, arrowsTools such as harpoons, bows, arrows

I owe it all to the Mesolithic man!

The Neolithic Age The Neolithic Age (6,000 to 3,000 (6,000 to 3,000

B.C.)B.C.)

FARMING and HERDING are discovered FARMING and HERDING are discovered in the fertile area of Mesopotamia!in the fertile area of Mesopotamia!

The discovery of FARMING and The discovery of FARMING and HERDING is called the Neolithic HERDING is called the Neolithic RevolutionRevolution

Results of the Neolithic Results of the Neolithic RevolutionRevolution

permanent villagespermanent villages (people no longer moving (people no longer moving with food source)with food source)

population growspopulation grows (more food; grain can be (more food; grain can be stored)stored)

““ownership” of landownership” of land (due to the fact that (due to the fact that everyone is staying in one place)everyone is staying in one place)

specializationspecialization (different jobs) (different jobs) leads to tradeleads to trade governmentgovernment (to oversee trade and property (to oversee trade and property

ownership)ownership) writingwriting (to keep track of trade items) (to keep track of trade items)

Done? Explore some of Done? Explore some of these websites!these websites!

A museum exhibit on PrehistoryA museum exhibit on Prehistory Daily life in the Stone Age (including peoDaily life in the Stone Age (including peo

ple's food)ple's food) Cro-Magnon cave paintings in FranceCro-Magnon cave paintings in France Early human skullsEarly human skulls

All these changes led Mesopotamia to All these changes led Mesopotamia to develop into the first “civilization” with develop into the first “civilization” with laws and government.laws and government.