AP World History Early Humans

Presentation Outline:1. Evolution2. Creation myths3. Monogenesis4. Polygenesis5. Stone Age (Paleolithic)6. New Stone Age (Neolithic)

1. Evolution

• The consensus from the scientific community is that humans evolved from primates to homo sapiens (human beings) over the course of a few million years.

2.Creation myths

• Many indigenous and non-scientific communities have traditionally believed that humans were created by a God, gods, or other deities.

• Muslims, Jews, and Christians believe that God created the first man, Adam, and then from his rib created Eve.

• Can you think of other creation myths?

3. Monogenesis (Out of Africa Theory)

• Most modern scientists have concluded that humans originated in Africa and then migrated to other parts of the world.

Q: How is this evidence interpreted?

• Archaeological Evidence: “Lucy”

6

Louis & Mary Leakey

Richard Leakey,

1979

“Lucy” skeleton

Footprints in Olduvai

Gorge, eastern

Africa

4. Polygenesis

• Many racial scientists in the 19th and 20th centuries rejected the monogenesis theory and believed that each race originated in its own region or homeland.

• Why would many people choose to believe this despite little archaeological evidence?

5. Stone Age (Paleolithic period)

• 2.6 million to 10,000 B.C.E• Earliest evidence of human activity• Called the Old Stone Age

Tools Social Organization Art Religion

• Used primitive tools such as stone to carve hunting weapons, cut food, and use in art

• Organized into clans or large extended families

• Nomadic hunter and gatherers who moved to chase their food supplies

• Women and men participated equally in decision-making and shared duties

• Archaeologists have discovered cave drawings of early humans depicting hunting scenes

• Paleolithic humans buried their dead and had some belief in the afterlife, though they did not believe in any one particular god

6. New Stone Age (Neolithic period)

• 10,000 B.C.E to about 3,000 B.C.E

• Often called the New Stone Age period

• First evidence of actual human settlements

Tools Social Organization Art Religion

• More sophisticated tools could be used in farming

• Permanent settlements were built close to farming sites

• Women were no longer needed to gather food as it could now be grown

• Gender inequality emerges

• More sophisticated tools led to the creation of more sophisticated art including pottery

• Neolithic humans built monuments to their creators and gods