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 geography
A. Vegetation
B. Fresh water
II. Nomadic
A. Why???
III. Had to adapt
A. 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
Homo Erectus
Homo Sapiens
I. Wise Man
A. Homo means Man, Sapiens means Wise
B. Three Main Types
1.
2.
3.
Neanderthals
Cro-Magnons
Modern Man
Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis
Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis
I. 200,000 to 30,000 BCE
II. Neanderthal Man – WHY???
III. Larger Brains
A. Skilled Toolmakers (knives,
scrapers, spear points)
IV. Strong Bodies
A. 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