Human Origins; The Stone Age and the Age of Metals

Human OriginsTheory of Evolution CreationismElaborated in 1859 by

Charles DarwinHumans belong to the

same species as apes.Archaeologists,

Paleontologists, Geologists, and Anthropologists have been able to reconstitute, although partially, human evolution

Humans created by GodNo scientific evidence

for it.

PrehistoryThe span of time before recorded historyChronology (ca. 2,500,000 – 3,000,000 BCE)Starts with the appearance of homo habilis

and ends with the appearance of writing and the first states.

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Development of HominidsAnimals adapt themselves to environmentHominids adapt environment to themselves

Use of toolsLanguageComplex cooperative social structures

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Australopithecus“the southern ape” – despite name a hominidDiscovery of skeleton AL-288-1, north of

Addis Ababa, EthiopiaNicknamed “Lucy”

40% of SWF, 3’5”, 55lb., bipedal, Brain 500 cc (modern human: 1400 cc), limited speech but opposable digit

Estimated date of death: 3.5 million years ago

Homo HabilisCa. 2, 500,000-1,800,000 BCEFirst use of primitive tools and weaponsMore evolved language

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Later HominidsHomo Erectus, “upright man”Larger brain capacity (1000 cc), improved

tool use, control of fireHomo Sapiens, “consciously thinking human”

(appears ca. 200,000 BCE)Largest brain, esp. frontal regionsmost sophisticated tools and social

organizationMigrations of Homo Erectus and Homo

Sapiens

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Global spread of hominids and Homo sapiens

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The Natural EnvironmentBy 13,000 BCE Homo sapiens in every

inhabitable part of the worldArchaeological finds:

Sophisticated tools Choppers, scrapers, axes, knives, bows, arrows Cave and hut like dwellings Use of fire, animal skins

Hunted several mammal species to extinctionClimactic change may have accelerated

process

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Paleolithic Era (“Old Stone Age” ca. 2,500,000 BCE – 10,000 BCE)Evidence:

Archaeological findsExtrapolation from modern hunter-gatherer

societiesNomadic existence precludes advanced

civilizationGroups of 30-50Division of labor along gender lines

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Relative Social EqualityNomadic culture precludes accumulation of

land-based wealthMore likely determinants of status: age,

hunting skill, fertility, personalityPossible gender equality related to food

productionMen: protein from huntingWomen: plant gathering

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Big Game HuntingEvidence of intelligent coordination of

hunting expeditionsDevelopment of weaponryAnimal-skin disguisesStampeding tactics

Lighting of fires, etc. to drive game into kill zones

Requires planning, communication

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Creativity of Homo sapiensConstructed flexible languages for

communication of complex ideasIncreased variety of tools – stone blades,

spear throwers, sewing needles, barbed harpoons

Fabricated ornamental beads, necklaces and bracelets

The bow and arrow – a dramatic improvement in humans power over nature

“Venus” figurinesCave paintings

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Neolithic Era (“New Stone Age” ca. 10,000 BCE – 3,5000 BCE)Distinction in tool production

Chipped vs. polished Men: herding animals rather than hunting Women: nurtured vegetation rather than

foragingSpread of Agriculture

Slash-and-and burn techniquesExhaustion of soil promotes migrationTransport of crops from one region to another

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Origins and early spread of agriculture

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Agriculture and Population Growth

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3000BCE

2000BCE

1000BCE

500 BCE

Population (millions)

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Social DistinctionsAccumulation of landed wealth initiates

development of social classesIndividuals could trade surplus food for

valuable itemsArchaeological evidence in variety of

household decorations, goods buried with deceased members of society at Çatal Hüyük

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Neolithic CultureFarmers closely observed the natural world –

an early kind of applied scienceElements of natural environment essential for

functioningArchaeological evidence of religious worship:

thousands of clay figurines, drawings on pots, tool decorations, other ritual objectsFertility: Venus figurines

Age of MetalsCa. 3,500BCE humans learn how to work

copper. Age of Metals begins!Ca. 2, 5000 BCE humans learn how to make

Bronze. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze Age (ca 2,500-1,200 BCE)

Ca. 1,200 BCE humans enter the Age of Iron

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Beginnings of UrbanizationJericho: concentration of wealth, building a

wallCraft specializationSocial stratificationGovernanceCultural workersDevelopment of the city – a gradual process