The “cradle of humankind”
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Africa seems to be the origin of
the human species itself, and also
of many of the more important
technological innovations
developed in the ancient world of
early human prehistory.
The English naturalist Charles
Darwin applied his theory in the
Descent of Man, 1871, he
suggested the birthplace of
humankind was probably Africa
One of the most common tools
archaeologists use is Radiocarbon
Dating. (During its lifetime all
living animal and vegetable matter
absorbs a minute amount of
radioactive carbon (Carbon-14)
from the atmosphere. At its death
the level of Carbon-14 in the
object gradually declines, at a
steady measurable rate. Thus, by
measuring the amount of Carbon14 in ancient fragments of former
living matter such as bone or
charcoal, scientist are able to
calculate the approximate age of
the object. The results are never
very accurate, but they are an
invaluable aid to archaeologists
concerned more with chronology
than with very precise dates.
Some of the earliest examples of
Hominids (human or human-like
creatures) have been found in
Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. Called
Australopithecines.
Australopithecus to Homo habilis
to Homo ergaster to Homo
erectus to Homo sapiens to Homo
sapiens sapiens.
Important developmentMicroliths- spear points "
Chapter 1: Early Prehistory of Africa
Hunting, fishing, and gathering in the Late
Stone Age
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Much of our knowledge about the
way of life of Late Stone Age
hunter-gatherers has come from
extensive archaeological research.
20th century- archaeologists
studied the few remaining
Khoisan-speaking people still
practicing a largely hunting and
gathering existence in the dry
Kalahari regions of modern
Botswana…results of this research
have helped archaeologists to
interpret the evidence found in
their Late Stone Age excavations.
Evidence of Late Stone Age
microlith technology has been
found widespread throughout the
savannah grasslands and dry
woodlands of Africa.
Most vivid evidence is in paintings
and engravings on rock walls of
caves and shelters.- paints made
from animal fats, colored with
vegetable dyes and applied with
sticks or feathers.
Hunting: especially in the
Savannah- common techniquebow and arrow- arrow shaft often
tipped with a barbed point of
stone or bone treated with
vegetable poison- enabled small
groups of humans to effectively
hunt large game.
Fishing on the rivers and coast,
especially shellfish- bone-tipped
harpoons, tidal traps and nets
Gathering probably done by
women
Social Organization:
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Gathering of nuts, fruits, berries,
etc. contributed a more steady
caloric function…therefore may
have been more egalitarian
society
Recent studies of Khoisan hunters
of the Kalahari suggest that one of
the most important aspects of
hunter-gatherer groups was their
dependence upon cooperative
labour and communal effort for
survival. Though there was a
division of labor between men and
women, neither one had higher
status than the other.