Before History

Before HistoryChapter 1

I. The Evolution of Homo Sapiens

Humans are similar to apes. High order of intelligence. Manipulation of the environment. A. The Hominids 1. Autralopithecus-hominid (human & humanlike

species) a. walked upright d. traveled deliberately b. opposable thumbs e. tools c. communicate verbally

I. The Evolution of Homo Sapiens cont’d

2. Homo-Erectus- upright walking human a. sophisticated tools (choppers, scrapers) b. start and tend fires c. communicate complex ideas

3. Migrations of Homo-Erectusa. control of natural environmentb. move to N. Africa and Eurasia 2mil years

ago

I. The Evolution of Homo Sapiens cont’d.

B. Homo-Sapiens- consciously thinking human Remarkably intelligent, contest for survival Efficiency in exploiting natural resources Communicate and cooperate complex tasks

1. Language a. vocal cords, mouth cavity w/tounge b. sounds into language

I. The Evolution of Homo Sapiens cont’d.

2. Migrations of Homo Sapiens

a. adapt to various conditions b. spread through Africa, Europe, and Asia. c. Including Indonesia and New Guinea 3. The Peopling of the World

a. Came into America through Siberian Link b. Remarkable Accomplishment

I. The Evolution of Homo Sapiens cont’d.

3. The Natural Environment

a. Homo Sapiens used their intelligence, tools, and language to exploit their natural environment.

Global Migrations of Hominids

II. Paleolithic SocietyOld Stone AgeForaged food (scavenged/hunted)GatherersA. Economy and Society of Hunting and

Gathering Peoples 1. Relative Social Equality

a. Hunting/Gathering ≠ private property b. No social distinctions based on wealth

II. Paleolithic Society cont’d

c. Egalitarian existence d. Social distinctions arose differently though. 2. Relative Gender Equality

a. All members led to survival. b. Men traveled on hunting expeditions c. Women/children gathered edible plantation. d. Interdependence probably did not lead to gender role domination.

II. Paleolithic Society cont’d

e. small bands (20-30)f. did not wander, timed movements

based on seasonal movements of plants and animals. 3. Big-Game Hunting

a. Special Toolsb. Disguisesc. Fires/Disturbances

II. Paleolithic Society cont’d.

4. Paleolithic Settlements

a. Few people left nomadic lifestylesb. Natufian society (Mediterranean, wheat

& animals)c. Jomon society (C. Japan, buckweat &

fishing)d. Chinook society (NW of N.America,

berries, acorns & salmon)

II. Paleolithic Society cont’d.

B. Paleolithic Culture 1. Neandertal Peoples

a. Neander Valley, W. Germany b. 45000-30000 years ago c. co-habitation, little interbreeding d. burials/rituals

II. Paleolithic Society cont’d.

2. The Creativity of Homo Sapiens

a. Intellectual success in communication of complex ideas.

b. Venus Figurine c. Cave Paintings

III. The Neolithic Era and the Transition to

Agriculture A. The Origins of Agriculture 1. Neolithic Era

a. New Stone Age b. Polished stone tools c. Early Stages of agricultural society 2. Global Climate Change

a. After ice age came warming. b. People began GROWING plants and domestication

III. The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture

cont’d. 3. Gender Relations and Agriculture

a. Female familiarity w/plant cycles, nurturing. 4 . Independent Inventions of Agriculture

a. Cultivation & Domestication emerges in various parts of the world. 5. The Early Spread of Agriculture

a. Agriculture spreads rapidly; slash & burn (east & west hemispheres) b. Food spreads through out the world w/merchants, migrants & travelers (ex. Wheat)

III. The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture

cont’d c. Agriculture was very tedious, but made abundant food. B. Early Agricultural Society- social and cultural changes,

pop. explosion 1. Emergence of Villages and Towns

a. Permanent Villages; Jericho (present day Israel) 2. Specialization of Labor

a. More food = more specialized labor b. pots, basins, textiles, leather, stone/metal tools, jewelry etc.

III. The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture

cont’d. 3. Pottery

a. store food b. artistic expression c. practical utensils 4. Metalworking

a. Earliest metal: copper b. jewelry c. simple tools

III. The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture

cont’d. d. smelting created tools (knives, axes, hoes &

weapons). 5. Textile Production

a. Selective breedingplants/ animalsexcellent fibers

b. Women wove fibers 6. Social Distinctions & Social Inequality

a. Settlements = people to gain wealthb. Private property

III. The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture

cont’d. C. Neolithic Culture- experience of Earth and its

rhythms (seasons) 1. Religious Values

a. Interest in Fertility b. Rhythms of agriculture D. The Origins of Urban Life- agriculture transformed

the lives of humans 1. Emergence of Cities

a. cities/complex societies around urban centers

III. The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture

cont’d. b. Specialized workers c. Complex institutions (gov’t, schools) d. religion e. record keeping