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Early Humans. Evolution is the gradual, slow process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form. Hominids : family of mankind and his/her relatives. Early hominids lived in small groups of 20-50 members called bands.
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Evolutionis the gradual, slow process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form.
. Hominids: family of mankind and his/her relatives
Early hominids lived in small groups of 20-50 members called bands. • Spent time searching for food and avoiding predators. They were nomads.
Our ancestors started to evolve! These early human-like hominids were taller and smarter than earlier hominids. They are credited with using the first stone tools.
The Paleolithic Era = Old Stone Age. It refers to the materials used to make man-made tools. In the Paleolithic Age, man made tools out of stone
Tool Technology • Thistechnologychanged their way of life. • Technology is the tools, methods and materials that people use to control and improve their lives.
“Upright Man” • Homo erectus man was probably the first hunter. The Homo erectus species was the first to look like....people, because their teeth and jaws were shaped somewhat like ours are today. • Bipedal- using only two legs for walking. What caused this change?
Man continued to evolve. Their tool-making skills improved. Their weapons included stone axes and knives. • Moved from prey to predator • They grew taller, stronger and smarter. • Began to communicate and cooperate.
Fire!!! These early people learned to make fire! They were probably a bit startled when they saw what they had created, little knowing that the invention of fire would change life dramatically!
Why was making fire so important? Location: They could choose where they camped. They no longer had to shelter out of the wind, unless they chose to do so. If their fire went out, they could relight it.
Warmth • Control of fire made moving into colder regions possible. They could count on fire to provide them with warmth.
Protection from Animals: • Man had discovered most animals were afraid of fire, so a roaring campfire gave protection to the group or tribe.
Light! • The control of fire provided man with more light. He could work during the night and see into dark caves.
Improved Weapons • Man learned they could harden the tips of spears with fire to create a stronger weapon. Also created torches
Cooking Food • It also changed the way they prepared food. These people began to cook their food consistently. Food that is cooked is more secure from disease and much softer to eat.
Social Life • Thanks to their fire-making skills, a nightly campfire became a possibility and a routine. What was once comfort and safety, was now also a social occasion. People collected around the fire each night to share stories of the day's hunt and activities, to laugh, and to relax.
Fire • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygpzm0S_rPQ
Man Leaves Home About one million years ago, Early Man began to slowly leave Africa. These early people began to populate the world. They did not need a boat. The Ice Age was here! They traveled across giant walkways of frozen ice, over what later would become vast rivers and seas. Scientists have found artifacts of their tools and weapons, which help us to understand how they lived, where they went, and how they got there.
Ice Age • Map of bridge
Neanderthals • Taller, stronger and had large brains. • Created stone tools, bone needles • Sewed clothes made with others animal parts and made boots! • Most evolved hominid!
They buried their dead with ceremony, which suggests they may have had religious beliefs. Discoveries of Neanderthal grave sites show that they decorated their bodies with paint, possibly for religious reasons, or perhaps for beauty. These sites suggest the Neanderthals were the first to think about the possibility of an afterlife.
Homo sapiens-Us! This group did not live a life of constant struggle for survival because they worked together to provide food for their tribe.
During the Neolithic period, people learned to cure and store food for the long winter. They used traps, which allowed them to catch food while they were busy doing something else. Fisherman used nets woven from vines and fishhooks. Some groups built rafts and canoes to catch bigger fish in deeper waters. They made clothing and jewelry. They invented the bow and arrow.
Homes • Built tepee style from branches and mammoth bones • Would travel during warmer months to follow food and return during winter.
Recap We know about early Stone Age people because scientists have found fossils and artifacts that reveal traces of their life. Man went through many stages to evolve into the humans of today! Tool technology and fire had huge influences on the human race. However, one of the biggest changes to humans was just ahead.
Hominid timeline • The following species of hominids go in order from earliest humans to the most evolved!
AUSTRALOPITHECUS-“Lucy” • Small brain, big jaw, hairy • Bipedal- walks on 2 feet • Lived in bands- no emotional attachment • Constantly searching for food and avoiding predators (like herd animals) • Prey
Homo habilis • A slightly larger brain, but still small • First to use stone tools • Tool technology-led to evolution
Homo erectus • Starts to look human • Larger brain, jaw decreasing in size bc of cooking food • First to create/control fire/cook food • First to leave Africa- spread population • Improved weapons-better hunting, more meat- predator! • Started working together to find food
Neanderthals • Lived in Europe in caves • Stronger, larger brains, better tools • First to create clothes • Buried dead-may have had religion belief, emotional attachment
Homo sapiens • US! • Worked together, most evolved-frontal brain lobe( plan ahead) • Store food, better hunting tools and techniques • Built boats, bow and arrow, pitfalls, bone shelters • Stayed in one place during winter b/c they prepared for future
