TOPIC: EARLY HUMAN MIGRATION
Essential Question: Why did early humans migrate and how?
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE


Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Era), the
climate around the world began to
change.

This also transformed the Earth’s
geography

These changes forced people to migrate,
or move, to new places
Early humans began this process as
early as 2 million years ago.
ICE AGES

Scientists believe the cause for
this migration was long periods
of freezing weather, called the
ice ages.

During this time, huge ice sheets
covered much of the Earth.

This period began about 1.6
million years ago and ended
about 10,000 years ago.
MORE ICE AGES
The ice was formed from ocean water, which
significantly lowered the ocean level.
 Many areas that are underwater today were dry
land as a result.

 Strips
of land that connected continents, or land
bridges, to be exposed
 This allowed hominids to travel to many continents.
LAND BRIDGE
SETTLING NEW LANDS



Humans began to migrate from East to southern Africa
From there they spread out to Southeast Asia and Europe.
From there they could migrate to Australia.
 However, it is still unclear as to how early hominids made it to Australia.
HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Land Bridge Theory


Coastal Theory


Most scholars believe that early humans crossed a
land bridge from Asia to North America following
herds of animals.
Humans followed the coasts either walking or in a
simple boat.
Island Hopping Theory

Move between islands that are small distances apart until you reach
your final destination. (Ex. Chains of islands in Indonesia to get to
Australia)
ADAPTATIONS

Many of the new lands that
humans migrated to had much
colder climates.

There were also strange plants
and animals that early humans
had never seen before

In order to survive in their new
homes, they had to adapt to
their surroundings.
CLOTHING

Fire was used to keep
people warm, however it
was not enough.

People had to learn to sew
animal skins together to
make new warmer clothing.
SHELTER

These people first took shelter in caves, but not all
areas had caves to live in.

The first homes were called pit houses.
These were pits in the ground
with roofs of branches and leaves.


Above ground homes were also made.
Tents of animal skin.
 Permanent structures made of wood, bones, stone,
clay, etc.

Pit House & Mammoth House Example
TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY

New uses for bones and stone tools were
discovered.
 Fishing
hooks and spears
 First Bow and Arrows

New technology improved their lives.
 Canoes
 Pottery
 Pets