Prehistoric TimesPrehistoric Times

The Development of the HominidsThe Development of the HominidsSTUDENT

ADVISORYADVISORY

CONTROVERISAL IDEAS

Please Note: It is NOT my intent to change your views on the how the earth was created nor on how humans came into existence, rather my intent is to introduce you to the material covered within your textbook. It is up to you to make your own decisions about the validity of the material we will cover in this unit.

Pre-History v. HistoryPre-History v. History

Pre-History• 4,000,000 BC to 3500BC• A time before there were

written records

History• 3500 BC to Present• A time when written

records were present

(BC & AD) v. (BCE & CE)(BC & AD) v. (BCE & CE)“Historical Terms”• BC=Before Christ (Number of years before the birth

of Jesus• AD=The Year of our Lord (Number of years since

the birth of Jesus

“Politically Correct Terms”• BCE=Before Common Era (Same as BC)• CE=Common Era (Same as AD)

50 AD

125 AD

175AD

100 BC

150 BC

Archaeologists & AnthropologistsArchaeologists & Anthropologists• Imagine

– You are an archaeologist who just discovered an artifact.

• Directions– Make a careful list of the

characteristics of the artifact.– List ideas about how this

artifact was used and what it tells us about the culture of the people who used/made it.

– List any difficulties you and archaeologists would have in determining the significance of this artifact.

The illustration shows "Lucy" in comparison with a modern

human female.

A-Man has some surprisingly human characteristics.

Lets meet “Lucy” on Page 16Lets meet “Lucy” on Page 16

Prehistoric Man TimelinePrehistoric Man Timeline

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/cavemen/

AustralopithecinesAustralopithecines• “A-Man” or “Lucy”

– Lived between 4 million an million years ago– Discovered in 1974 (Tanzania)

• 1st upright walking Hominid– Human being and other creatures that

walk upright• A-Man is classified as an ape, not a

human• Probably didn’t talk or use tools (1/3 size

of current human brain)• Taught us the most powerful tool was

ourselves, family, and friends• Several different species• Ultimately, most believe (A-Man) dies off

and does not lead to Homo HabilisAustralopithecus africanus

Why 1Why 1stst to walk upright? to walk upright?1. Change in climate

– Tropical rain forests transformed to grassland• Environment drives brain size

2. Safety– Could spot threatening animals

and hunt more effectively 3. Saved Energy

– More energy = More “relations” = More babies

• Mobility– Walking upright freed A-Man’s

hands to carry food, tools, andbabies

Homo HabilisHomo Habilis• “Handy Man”

– Lived between 2.5 and 2 million years ago

– Discovered in 1960 (Tanzania)

• Homo = Human being– 1st human species

• Brain size 50% bigger than A-Man

• Ability to make and use tools– Made blades out of lava rock to cut

meat and crack bones– Marked beginning of Stone Age

– Paleolithic “Old Stone Age”– Neolithic “New Stone Age”

– Provided advantage over larger and faster animals

QuestionsQuestions• Was Homo Habilis a hunter of

large game--lions, leopards, hyenas? Or was this species an opportunistic taker of small game and a scavenger?

• Did Homo Habilis have the ability to relocate from Africa?

• Did Homo Habilis develop from the A-Man?

Homo ErectusHomo Erectus• “Upright Man”

– Lived between 1.5 million years and .5 million years old

– Discovered in 1984 (Kenyan)

• 1st to learn how to use fire– Used for warmth (Northern latitudes)– Used for cooking– Used for protection

• Taught us that flexibility and adaptability are the keys to survival– Technology changed little in over 1

million years

• 1st to travel into Europe and Asia

Why Leave Africa?Why Leave Africa?• Rise in population

– More difficult to find new hunting grounds

• Curiosity to explore

• Ability to use fire

Homo HeidelbergensisHomo Heidelbergensis• Lived 600,000 years ago • Brain Size: 93% the size of a modern

brain• After a MAJOR climate change:

– Some left Africa and traveled into Europe• Europe = Ice Age

– Others stayed in Africa• Africa = Prolonged drought

Theory• Those who went to Europe will

evolve into Neanderthals “Homo Sapiens”

• Those who stay in Africa will evolve into Cro-Magon “Homo Sapiens– The modern human

The Development of the HominidsThe Development of the Hominids

Homo SapiensHomo Sapiens• “Wise Man”

– Lived 200,000 & disappeared around 30,000 years ago

– Discovered in 1856 (Germany)

• Could adapt to harsher environment– Average brain capacity actually

exceeds that of modern humans

• Several different species– Neanderthals

• Skillful tool makers– Used traps, axes and knives– Killed small animals & trapped

larger ones

Neanderthal:Neanderthal: Lifestyle Lifestyle

• Lived nomadic life (always on the move) following herds of animals all year round

• Lived in caves…Later would make frames for skin tents• Displayed evidence of cultural practices

– Took care of injured, diseased, and disabled– 1st to bury dead with grave goods

What happened to the What happened to the Neanderthals?Neanderthals?

• Multi-Regional Theory– Neanderthals gradually evolved into anatomically

modern humans

• Out-of-Africa Theory – Anatomically modern humans (our ancestors)

emerged in Africa and then spread across Eurasia eventually out competing and replacing the Neanderthals

• Currently, most historians believe this theory

Homo Sapiens SapiensHomo Sapiens Sapiens• “Doubly Wise Man”

– Scientists have found remains of these early people in Europe, Asia, America, Africa, all over, really.

• Called Cro-Magon – Cro-Magon is an outdated term for Homo Sapiens Sapiens– They will replace the Neanderthals

• Earliest known example of a modern human being• Keys to survival

– Think ahead / imagination / creativity• Started revolution in technology

– 100 different tools made out of stone, bone, and wood– Razor sharp blades and fishing hooks– Chisel-like cutters– Spear hunters had range of 30 to 50 ft.– Bone needles used for sewing

Lifestyle / CultureLifestyle / Culture

• Cave printings– Magical significance???

– Earliest Textbooks???

– Initiation Rite???

•Burial sites present overwhelming evidence of

important cultural practices

•Evidence of a hunters' culture

Extra Credit OpportunityExtra Credit OpportunityThe HobbitThe Hobbit

10/27/2004

Island of Flores

ESSAY QUESTION• Neanderthal’s Characteristics

– Strong, close net, self-sufficient, isolated, and independent • Ultimately their strengths became their weaknesses

– It wasn't disaster or even genocide, but just out competed.• Question:

– Briefly describe the fall of the Neanderthals • Be sure to discuss their characteristics and give examples of how

they become their weaknesses

– Could this happen to humans? • Provide present day examples of the qualities and characteristics

of humans and evaluate whether or not this could happen

– Provide some theories, possibilities or situations that could possibly lead to humans suffering the same fate as the Neanderthals