🏰World History – Before 1500 Unit 2 – Early Humans

Key Concepts and Timeline

• Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age) lasted from ~2.5 million years ago to ~10,000 BCE
  • Lower Paleolithic (2.5 million to 200,000 years ago) earliest stone tools and Homo habilis
  • Middle Paleolithic (200,000 to 40,000 years ago) more advanced tools, Neanderthals, and early Homo sapiens
  • Upper Paleolithic (40,000 to 10,000 years ago) modern humans, advanced tools, art, and cultural developments
• Mesolithic Era (Middle Stone Age) transitional period between Paleolithic and Neolithic (~10,000 to 8,000 BCE)
• Neolithic Era (New Stone Age) began ~10,000 BCE with the development of agriculture and settled communities
• Key developments include bipedalism, tool use, language, fire control, migration out of Africa, and cultural innovations
• Humans evolved from earlier hominins (Australopithecus) in Africa around 2.5 million years ago
• Homo habilis, one of the earliest known species of the genus Homo, lived from ~2.3 to 1.4 million years ago

Early Human Origins and Evolution

• Humans evolved from earlier primates in Africa, with the genus Homo emerging ~2.5 million years ago
• Key evolutionary adaptations included bipedalism (walking upright), larger brains, and tool use
• Homo habilis (2.3 to 1.4 million years ago) was one of the earliest known species of the genus Homo
• Homo erectus (1.9 million to 143,000 years ago) was the first hominin to migrate out of Africa
  • Had larger brains and more advanced tools compared to earlier hominins
• Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) lived in Europe and Asia from ~400,000 to 40,000 years ago
  • Had advanced tools, lived in small groups, and had complex social structures
• Homo sapiens (modern humans) emerged in Africa ~300,000 years ago and later migrated to other continents
  • Developed language, art, and more advanced tools and technologies

Tools and Technology

• Early hominins used simple stone tools (Oldowan) for cutting, chopping, and scraping
• Acheulean tools (1.7 million to 130,000 years ago) were more advanced, including hand axes and cleavers
• Middle Paleolithic tools (Mousterian) were more specialized and included points, scrapers, and flakes
• Upper Paleolithic tools were highly diverse and specialized, including blades, burins, and projectile points
  • Bone, antler, and ivory were also used to create tools and ornaments
• Fire was controlled by Homo erectus ~1 million years ago, providing warmth, protection, and cooked food
• Clothing, such as animal hides, was used for protection from the elements
• Hunting technologies, such as spears and bows and arrows, improved food acquisition

Social Structure and Organization

• Early hominins likely lived in small, mobile bands of 20-30 individuals
• Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens had more complex social structures, with evidence of care for the injured and burial of the dead
• Division of labor based on age and sex, with males typically hunting and females gathering and caring for offspring
• Social bonds were reinforced through grooming, sharing of food, and cooperative activities
• Language development allowed for more complex communication and social organization
  • Symbolic language may have emerged with Homo sapiens ~50,000 years ago
• Kinship and family structures were important for social cohesion and resource sharing
• Trade and exchange of resources (obsidian, shells) occurred between groups

Survival Strategies and Adaptations

• Hunting and gathering were the primary means of food acquisition
  • Hunting of large game (mammoths, bison) and smaller animals (deer, rabbits)
  • Gathering of plants, fruits, and seeds
• Scavenging of animal carcasses was also practiced, especially by early hominins
• Adaptation to diverse environments (forests, grasslands, tundra) through clothing, shelter, and tools
• Use of fire for warmth, protection, and cooking, which increased food options and nutrient absorption
• Seasonal migration and following of animal herds for reliable food sources
• Storage of food (dried meat, nuts) for times of scarcity
• Cooperation and sharing of resources within and between groups for survival

Migration Patterns and Spread

• Homo erectus was the first hominin to migrate out of Africa ~1.9 million years ago
  • Spread to Asia, Europe, and possibly Indonesia
• Neanderthals inhabited Europe and parts of Asia from ~400,000 to 40,000 years ago
• Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa in multiple waves, beginning ~70,000 years ago
  • Spread to the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Americas
• Migration was influenced by factors such as climate change, population pressure, and the pursuit of resources
• Coastal routes and land bridges (Bering Strait) facilitated the spread of humans across continents
• Interaction and interbreeding between Homo sapiens and other hominins (Neanderthals, Denisovans) occurred in some regions

Cultural Developments

• Art, such as cave paintings (Lascaux, Chauvet), figurines (Venus of Willendorf), and jewelry, emerged in the Upper Paleolithic
  • Reflected symbolic thinking, creativity, and possibly religious or magical beliefs
• Music, as evidenced by bone flutes and other instruments, was part of Upper Paleolithic culture
• Burial practices, such as the use of ochre and grave goods, suggest belief in an afterlife and social differentiation
• Language and communication through symbols and abstract thought developed, enabling complex social interactions and cultural transmission
• Regional variations in tool styles, art, and cultural practices emerged as human populations adapted to different environments
• The development of agriculture and settled communities in the Neolithic Era marked a significant cultural shift

Impact on Later Civilizations

• The legacy of Paleolithic and Neolithic innovations, such as tool-making, fire control, and agriculture, formed the basis for later technological developments
• The spread of Homo sapiens across the globe set the stage for the development of diverse cultures and civilizations
• Genetic inheritance from Neanderthals and Denisovans in some modern human populations influences health and adaptations
• The transition to agriculture in the Neolithic Era led to population growth, specialization of labor, and the emergence of complex societies
• The development of language, art, and symbolic thought in the Paleolithic Era laid the foundation for later cultural expressions and the transmission of knowledge
• The migration patterns of early humans shaped the genetic and cultural diversity of modern human populations
• The study of early human origins and prehistory provides insights into the shared heritage and evolution of humanity