The Archeological The Archeological RecordRecord

Humans belong to biological order, Primates (“first rank”) Genetic, body chemistry similarity (98%+) to large apes Enormous differences in intelligence, ability to control

natural world Discoveries in East Africa illustrate development of

biological family of Hominids Australopithecines (“Lucy”)--4 to 1 MA (million years ago)

Walked upright on two legs; well-developed hand --Stone tools; fire later

Homo habilis (“handy human”) --2.5 MA, stone axes, larger brain Homo erectus-- 2.5 million-200,000 YA (years ago)

sophisticated tools, control of fire, language skills, coordinated hunting

Homo neanderthalensis--130,000 --30,000 YA same hunting/foraging lifestyle as Homo sapiens

Homo sapiens--200,000 years ago, brain with large frontal region Spread throughout Eurasia about 100,000 YA importance of Ice age land bridges for migration

Different forms of HominidsDifferent forms of Hominids

Between 3.5 and 5 million years ago, an adult hominid Between 3.5 and 5 million years ago, an adult hominid

and a child made these footprints near Laetoli, and a child made these footprints near Laetoli,

Tanzania.Tanzania.

Paleoanthropologists use Paleoanthropologists use stone tool-making stone tool-making technologies to classify technologies to classify hominid cultures, because hominid cultures, because these artifacts have survived these artifacts have survived in relatively large numbers. in relatively large numbers. The chopper on the top, of a The chopper on the top, of a pattern that dates from over pattern that dates from over two million years ago, was two million years ago, was made by striking cobblestones made by striking cobblestones against each other. against each other. Chimpanzees can be taught to Chimpanzees can be taught to make similar tools. The more make similar tools. The more elegant axe-blade in the elegant axe-blade in the center predominated over center predominated over much of the world between much of the world between about 1.5 million and 150,000 about 1.5 million and 150,000 years ago. Though the size, years ago. Though the size, shape, and function of these shape, and function of these tools varied, as the examples tools varied, as the examples on the bottom show, the on the bottom show, the technology was surprisingly technology was surprisingly uniform around the world. No uniform around the world. No bone tools from the period bone tools from the period survive.survive.

The Beginnings of CivilizationThe Beginnings of Civilization

Ice Age Culture/SocietyIce Age Culture/Society Paleolithic CommunitiesPaleolithic Communities

Size dictated by resources, foraging lifestyle, requiring large Size dictated by resources, foraging lifestyle, requiring large range of movementrange of movement

Paleolithic (2.5 MA to 10,000 YA) vs. Neolithic--10,000 -3,000 YAPaleolithic (2.5 MA to 10,000 YA) vs. Neolithic--10,000 -3,000 YA Leadership: alpha malesLeadership: alpha males

Probable gender roles-- reliable evidence?Probable gender roles-- reliable evidence? Male dominanceMale dominance ““Liberation” of women for reproductionLiberation” of women for reproduction Women connected with the sacred, Venus figurinesWomen connected with the sacred, Venus figurines

Diet: 3,000 calories per day! Diet: 3,000 calories per day! Varied diet--combination of meats, nuts, fruit, roots, tubers, etc., Varied diet--combination of meats, nuts, fruit, roots, tubers, etc.,

high intake of vitamin c (see assigned “Paleolithic Nutrition” high intake of vitamin c (see assigned “Paleolithic Nutrition” article)article)

The role of archeobotany, anthropology in analyzing plant-based The role of archeobotany, anthropology in analyzing plant-based foods foods

Biological versus cultural adaptations to overcome plant Biological versus cultural adaptations to overcome plant defenses in seeds leaves (bitterness/toxicity)defenses in seeds leaves (bitterness/toxicity)

Heating/Cooking as a primary early cultural adaptation (learned)Heating/Cooking as a primary early cultural adaptation (learned)

Hunting strategies during Upper Paleolithic (45,000-Hunting strategies during Upper Paleolithic (45,000-10,000 YA)10,000 YA) Stampeding animals off cliffs or into lakes, bogsStampeding animals off cliffs or into lakes, bogs Scavenging versus active hunting (NWIA article)Scavenging versus active hunting (NWIA article) Development of the bow and arrowDevelopment of the bow and arrow Domestication/use of dogsDomestication/use of dogs Evidence of net-hunting of small mammals Evidence of net-hunting of small mammals

Cave ArtCave Art What was it for?What was it for?

Ritual, instructional usesRitual, instructional uses Depiction of hunting scenesDepiction of hunting scenes

How was it made?How was it made? Colors of ochre mixed with animal fat and applied Colors of ochre mixed with animal fat and applied

with wood, bone, and animal hairwith wood, bone, and animal hair Venus Figures: evidence from Dolni Vestonice--ritual Venus Figures: evidence from Dolni Vestonice--ritual

uses?uses? Illustration: Chauvet cave paintingsIllustration: Chauvet cave paintings

Pont d’Arc, France, Chauvet Cave

Chauvet CaveChauvet Cave

Chauvet Cave, details

Chauvet horse painting, details`

Religion: ShamanismReligion: Shamanism Depiction of people wearing animal masksDepiction of people wearing animal masks Importance of Dance, Speech for human Importance of Dance, Speech for human

bondingbonding Intermediaries between this world and a Intermediaries between this world and a

spiritual worldspiritual world Example: Chukuchi hunters of SiberiaExample: Chukuchi hunters of Siberia

Social StratificationSocial Stratification Evidence from burials of differences in grave Evidence from burials of differences in grave

goodsgoods Ability to adapt to extreme environmentsAbility to adapt to extreme environments

Inuit: development of blubber lampInuit: development of blubber lamp San of the Kalahari: developed physical San of the Kalahari: developed physical

endurance to run down game in desert endurance to run down game in desert conditionsconditions

Human MigrationsHuman Migrations Out of Africa first around 100,000 Out of Africa first around 100,000

years agoyears ago Why?Why?

Rise in population due to use of fire in Rise in population due to use of fire in cookingcooking

More types of food availableMore types of food available Development of new hunting technologiesDevelopment of new hunting technologies

War: competition for resourcesWar: competition for resources Unclear origins of warUnclear origins of war

Humans reach China: 67,000 years agoHumans reach China: 67,000 years ago Australia: 50,000 years agoAustralia: 50,000 years ago Europe: 40,000 years agoEurope: 40,000 years ago

Migration to the Americas: around 20,000-Migration to the Americas: around 20,000-15,000 years ago15,000 years ago

Land bridge across the Bering Strait as the last Ice Land bridge across the Bering Strait as the last Ice Age endedAge ended

Multiple groups or one migration?Multiple groups or one migration? Clovis and other Clovis and other Paleoindian cultures--Paleoindian cultures--

Meadowcraft (PA), Monte Verde, Chile, Big Eddy Meadowcraft (PA), Monte Verde, Chile, Big Eddy (MO), Minas Gerais, Brazil(MO), Minas Gerais, Brazil

Mass extinction of 35 species of mammals Mass extinction of 35 species of mammals around 10,000 years agoaround 10,000 years ago

Questions about dating raised by Questions about dating raised by archaeological research:archaeological research:

Meadowcroft shelterMeadowcroft shelter Monte Verde in ChileMonte Verde in Chile

Dated to between 9500 and 8000 Dated to between 9500 and 8000 BCEBCE, the Clovis (or Llano) Culture of North , the Clovis (or Llano) Culture of North America America (so-called because their artifacts were first discovered at Clovis, New (so-called because their artifacts were first discovered at Clovis, New Mexico) was noted for its production of fluted flint projectiles. Once thought Mexico) was noted for its production of fluted flint projectiles. Once thought to be the earliest Paleo-Indian inhabitants of the Americas, the Clovis to be the earliest Paleo-Indian inhabitants of the Americas, the Clovis people now are being challenged for that position of primacy by people now are being challenged for that position of primacy by archaeologists who have discovered evidence of earlier cultures in the archaeologists who have discovered evidence of earlier cultures in the Americas.Americas.

During the last ice age the Laurentide ice sheet of North America extended as far south as New York.