The Origins of Humans

Hominid Development

Scientists to Know!!!

I. Archeologists– Artifacts

II. Anthropologists– Culture

III. Paleontologists– Fossils

– Carbon Dating

Archaeologists

Anthropologists

Culture

Paleontologists

Fossils

Discussion Question

•How do these scientists work together to help us understand more about early humans?

Prehistory

I. What is Prehistory???

II. Two Ages

A. Paleolithic Age (2.5 million to 10,000 BCE)

1. Hominids

B. Neolithic Age (8000 to 3000 BCE)

1. Agriculture

Early Life of Hominids

I. Dependent on physical geographyA. Vegetation

B. Fresh water

II. NomadicA. Why???

III. Had to adaptA. Climate

B. Changes in land

C. Natural disasters

Human Evolution

More Like a Bush than a Tree

Archaeologist Mary Leaky

Hominid footprints from 3.6

million years ago

Donald Johanson – “Lucy”

"Lucy" skeleton,

Australopithecus

afarensis, about

2.6 million years

ago.

Timeline Review

Australopithecines

Australopithecines

I. 4 to 1 million BCE

II. Bipedal

III. Opposable Thumbs

A. What does this allow them to do???

Homo Habilis

Homo Habilis

I. 2.5 to 1.5 million BCE

II. Handy Man – WHY???

A. Stone Tools

- Benefits?

B. Living in Groups

- Benefits?

Homo Habilis

Homo Erectus

Homo Erectus

I. 1.8 million to 200,000 BCE

II. Upright Man – WHY???

A. Strong Bones

B. Travel Further Distances – WHERE???

C. Control Fire

Out of Africa Migrations Video

Check out this video showing the migrations of the early hominids!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJdT6QcSbQ0

Homo Erectus

Homo Sapiens

I. Wise Man

A. Homo means Man, Sapiens means Wise

B. Three Main Types

1. Neanderthals

2. Cro-Magnons

3. Modern Man

Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis

Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis

I. 200,000 to 30,000 BCE

II. Neanderthal Man – WHY???

III. Larger BrainsA. Skilled Toolmakers (knives,

scrapers, spear points)

IV. Strong BodiesA. Large Muscles

B. Strong Bones

C. Slanted Forehead

Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis

V. Sense of Community

A. Hunt in Organized Groups

B. Burial Sites and Rituals

C. Helped Injured

Homo Sapiens Cro-Magnon

Homo Sapiens Cro-Magnon

I. 40,000 to 8000 BCE

II. Skeletons Identical

III. Larger Brain

A. Clothing (needles to sew)

B. Tools (hooks, spears throwing,carving tools)

Homo Sapiens Cro-Magnon

C. Shelter (more permanent stone)

Homo Sapiens Cro-Magnon

D. Art – WHERE???

E. Language

Homo Sapiens Sapiens

I. 8000 BCE to present day

II. Doubly Wise (Wise Wise) Man

III. Modern Man – YOU and I

Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) (2 million to 12000 BCE)

I. More Advanced Humans

II. Hunters/Gatherers

Where do

we find

these???

What do theytell us???

Paleolithic (Old Stone Age)(2 million to 12000 BCE) CONT

III. Migration

A. Where???

IV. 14,000 years ago (approx. 12,000 BCE) end of last GREAT ice age

V. More movement

Discussion Question

• Discuss some advantages AND disadvantages of the lifestyle of Hunters/Gatherers?

Neolithic (New Stone Age) (10,000-4000 BCE)

I. Agricultural Revolution A. Invention of agriculture and

domestication of animals1. Slash and Burn

B. Initially developed in the Middle East and independently arose in India, N. Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe

C. Transformation took time

Discussion Question:

• What were some of the benefits of the Neolithic Revolution for humans? What were some of the drawbacks? Would YOU have chosen to settle and begin farming?