Early Man
The Dawn of Man and the rise of Civilization!
Australopithecus
“Southern Ape”
The first true Hominids (humans)
Inhabited the earth about 3 million years ago!
Could sometimes walk upright
Had nimble hands and lived in Africa
Lucy
Lucy is the world famous remains of an
almost intact three million year old
Australopithecus
She was discovered by archaeologist Donald
Johanson on November 24, 1974 near the
location of Hadar, Ethiopa
This was one of the greatest archaeological
discoveries of all time
Lucy was 20 years old when she died, 4 feet
tall and weighed approximately 50 pounds
Lucy
Hadar, Ethiopia
Donald Johanson 1974
Dr. Donald Johanson works at the
Hadar fossil site in Ethiopia, 1992.
Lucy Dig Site - Hadar, Ethiopia
Homo Habilis
“Handy Man”
Inhabited the earth between 2 million and
1.5 million years ago.
First stone tool-makers
First true humans
Lived in Africa
Were taller – stronger – and had a larger
brain than Australopithecus
Homo Erectus
“Upright Man”
Homo Erectus inhabited the earth between 1.5 million and 300,000 years ago!
Homo Erectus
“Upright Man”
Stood and walked completely upright!
Could make and control fire!
Journeyed and populated the earth about
1 million years ago!
Traveled out of Africa over rivers and seas
during ice age
Improved tool-making
First good hunters (big game)
Skulls sloped more forward (humanlike)
Homo Sapiens
“Wise Man”
Inhabited the earth between 300,000 and 10,000 years
ago
Made stone-tipped spears – bone needles and bone
fish hooks
Sewed clothes from animal skins and made warm
boots
Skulls grew more forward and less sloped – creating
more brain capacity
Modern-like appearance
Neandertal
Populated the earth about 300,000 years ago
Large strong brutish hominids
Great hunters
Made and controlled fire
Buried their dead – spiritual
As advanced as hominid cousins –> Homo Sapiens
Mysteriously disappeared around 30,000 years ago
Homo Sapiens Sapiens
“Wise Wise Man”
There are two stages of Homo Sapiens Sapiens:
Cro-Magnon
Moderns
Cro-Magnon
Cro-Magnon man inhabited the earth from
approximately 40,000 BC to around 10,000 BC
Created cave art
Ate a balanced diet of meat – grain – vegetables
Lived in caves – semi nomadic
Moderns
Moderns are the current form of hominids populating the earth
Moderns appear approximately 10, 000 years ago
Moderns begin farming, construct huts and hearths for fire
They create oil lamps – jewelry – sweet and salt their foods
About 10, 000 years ago the last ice age ends – moderns populate the world
Visual Hominid Stage Chart
Copy Down Chart
For notes!
Time Period
3 Million – 2 Million BC
Hominid Evolutionary Chart
Hominids (Humans)
Copy Down Chart
For Notes!
Traits
Australopithecus
“Southern Ape”
Lived in Africa – first human-like ancestors. Australopithecus could sometimes
stand up and had nimble hands. “Lucy” – was a 3 million year old
Australopithecus – she was 4 feet tall and weighed 50 pounds.
2 Million – 1.5 Million BC
Homo Habilis
“ Handy Man”
First Stone tool-makers (handyman) - First true humans – Also lived in Africa
Taller, stronger and had a larger brain capacity than Australopithecus
1.5 Million – 300, 000 BC
Homo Erectus
“Upright Man”
Stood & walked completely upright – Could make and control fire - Traveled
out of Africa – over rivers and seas -during ice age. Populated the earth
around one million years ago. Improved tool-making – first good hunters.
Skulls sloped forward – more human-like appearance.
300, 000 – 10,000 BC
Homo Sapiens
“Wise Man”
Made stone-tipped spears – made bone needles and bone fish hooks. They
sewed clothes from animal skins and made warm boots. Skulls grew even more
forward and less sloped …more brain capacity -- jaws began to recede –
creating a more modern–like appearance.
300, 000 – 30,000 BC
Neandertals
( Also Neanderthals )
Large strong brutish hominids – Great hunters – Made and controlled fire.
Buried their dead – spiritual. They were as advanced as their hominid
cousins Homo Sapiens. Mysteriously disappeared 30,000 years ago!
30, 000 – 10, 000 BC
Homo Sapiens Sapiens
“Wise Wise Man”
Cro Magnon era lasts until about 10, 000 BC – Then gives way to Moderns.
Creation of cave art – Beginning of farming – Construct huts for homes
and hearths ( fireplace ) for heat – Create oil lamps – Jewelry – Sweeten and
salt their food. Last Ice Age ends!
Cro Magnon
Moderns
Evolution
The process by which something develops gradually over
time into a different form!
Becoming Human Documentary
Charles Darwin
British scientist 1809 -1882
Wrote famous work:
“Origin of the Species”
Promoted the theory of
Natural Selection
Natural Selection
Natural selection is the means by which beneficial characteristics in a living
organism tend to be preserved while unfavorable characteristics tend to be lost.
This can best be summed up as:
“Survival of the Fittest!”
Hominids
The family of Mankind
Fossils
The remains of something that was once alive!
Artifacts
The remains of things that were made!
Paleolithic
Another name for “Old Stone Age”
(the time before farming)
Neolithic
Another name for “New
Stone Age”
( the time of farming and settled homes)
Historical Terms of Date
BCE
BC /AD
What does the term BC stand for ?
Before Christ
___________________
This is the time period before Christ was born!
What does the term AD stand for ?
Anno Domino
___________________
Anno Domini means:
“Year of the Lord”
This is the time period from the birth of Christ onwards!
BCE - CE
BCE = “Before Common Era”
BCE = BC
CE = “Common Era”
CE = AD
The terms BCE and CE use the exact same defining guidelines to
date time as the terms BC and AD. However they are terms that
are deemed non religious!
Circa
The term Circa (abbreviated ca.) means that you do not know the exact date!
Circa indicates an approximate time.
Example: King Hammurabi was born ca. 1792 BC.
Millennium – Century - Decade
Millennium: A time period
of one thousand years!
Century: A time period of
one hundred years!
Decade: A time period of
ten years!
Notes:
Evolution: The process by which something develops gradually over time into a different
form!
Charles Darwin: British scientist 1809 -1882 - Wrote famous work: “Origin of the Species”Promoted the theory of Natural Selection.
Natural Selection: the means by which beneficial characteristics in a living organism tend to
be preserved while unfavorable characteristics tend to be lost.
- can be best summed up as “Survival of the Fittest”
Hominids: The family of mankind and his or her relatives.
Fossils: The remains of something that was once alive.
Artifacts: The remains of things that were once made.
Paleolithic: Another name for the “Old Stone age” (the time before farming)
Neolithic: Another name for the “New Stone Age” (the time after farming)
BC: Before Christ -- The time period before the birth of Christ
AD: Anno Domini (Year of the Lord) -- The time period after the birth of Christ
Notes:
BCE: Before Common Era -- The same time period as BC
CE: Common Era -- The same time period as AD
Circa: An approximate time period – not an exact date
Millennium: A time period of one thousand years
Century: A time period of 100 years
Decade: A time period of ten years
History
Recorded Events!
History is the time when writing begins!
Prehistory
Prehistory: The time before writing!
Archaeologist
A scientist who examines fossils and
artifacts to learn about the past!
Nomads
People without settled homes --- Wanderers!
Oral Tradition
Stories passed down by word of mouth.
Fertile
Rich soil that is good for farming.
Domesticate
To Tame Animals!
Raise and use animals for:
Food - Drink - Clothes
Old Stone Age
“Paleolithic”
1. Hunters & Gatherers
2. Nomads
3. No Social Order
New Stone Age
“Neolithic”
Farming -- Settled Homes
Social Order – Domestication of Animals
East Africa
East Africa is where the earliest human ancestors lived!
Notes:
History: History is the time when writing begins
Prehistory: The time before writing
Archaeologist: Scientists that study artifacts and fossils to learn about the past
Oral Tradition: Stories that are passed down by word of mouth
Nomads: Wanderers – People without settled homes
Fertile: Rich soil – Good for farming
Domesticate: To tame animals -- utilize for food, drink, work and clothes
Old Stone Age: Hunters & Gatherers -- Nomads – No Social Order
New Stone Age: Farming – Settled Homes – Social Order – Domestication of Animals
East Africa: Where the earliest humans lived
The Journey to Civilization
Irrigation
To supply land with water!
Irrigation
The Invention of Irrigation:
Early farming communities needed to find a way to
bring water to their crops. And the invention of
irrigation systems, reservoirs of water connected to
farm lands via canals & channels enabled early
farmers to divert water from its source for their
farming purposes. With these irrigation systems, the
farmers could make land lying far from a natural
water source fertile. Irrigation and drainage systems
also permitted early farmers to control annual flood
water to their advantage, thus contributing to a
more stable and secure way of life.
Surplus
More than is needed!
(Food)
Artisan
A Skilled Worker!
Population Growth
With the advanced methods of farming -- population increased dramatically!
In 8000 BC world population = 10,000,000
In 5000 BC world population = 66,000,000
Social class
Social Class groups
people by their wealth,
power, education and
position!
Social Class
Throughout history
the upper classes in
a society have land
and wealth and
power!
Social Class
The Middle Class / Working Class are the people who work for a living and
provide a comfortable life for themselves and their families!
Social Class
The Lower classes are the people
without wealth, education, or
influence!
Rivers
Early communities and the first societies began near rivers!
. . . Why?
Cities
The first cities provided people with homes, public buildings, religious
temples, markets, artisans, trade, money, writing, law, and government!
A true society of many people living together.
Farming to Civilization!
Farming
Domestication
Population Growth
Artisans
Writing
Law/Government
Irrigation
Trade
Cities
Surplus
Social Class
Civilization
Copper
The Stone Age ends and the Metal Age begins
around 6600 BC with the creation of copper tools!
Bronze
3000 BC
- The metal Bronze (copper & tin) is created - Much stronger and longer lasting than copper -
Wheel
Ca. 3500 BC
The Wheel and Axle are created!
Notes
Irrigation: To supply land with water for crops.
Surplus: More than is needed (food).
Artisan: A specially skilled craftsman or worker.
Population Growth: The vast increase in population due to farming
developments: 8000 BC - 10,000,000 people
5000 BC – 66,000,000 people
Social Class: Grouping people by wealth and power.
Civilization: A society of people living together with cities, trade,
law, writing, and government.
Copper: First metal used by man – developed ca. 6600 BC
Bronze: Second metal – stronger than copper ( mix of tin & copper)
- developed ca. 3000 BC
Wheel: The wheel and axle revolutionized the work force, travel,
communication, war, and trade.