The dawn of civilisation

The Big Bang 13.82 billion years ago

Development of the Earth 4.4 billion years ago

Dawn of Civilisation

The cradle of humankind, Tanzania

Olduvai Gorge

Olduvai gorge

Hominid development

Hominid development

Olduvai Gorge habitation

• Homo habilis is thought to have occupied the site from 1.9 to 1.2 million years ago.

• Paranthropus boisei was found to occupy the site from approximately 1.8 million years ago until 1.2 million years ago.

• Homo erectus remains were found and dated at the site from 1.2 million years ago until 700,000 years ago.

• Homo sapiens came to occupy the gorge 17,000 years ago.

Homo erectus

Homo Erectus

Homo Erectus

Lucy in Ethiopia

Awash Valley

Australopithecus afarensis (Lucy) 3.2 million yrs

Human development and brain size

Spread of hominids

Neanderthals

(Right)Neanderthal. (Left) Modern human.

1,800,000

600,000

200,000

70,000

Years ago

Human development

Homo Sapiens

Cave paintings in France

Prehistoric Cave Paintings 25,000 BC

Cave painting locations

20,000 years ago

15,000 years ago

10,000 years ago

Celts in the Britain

The roundhouse was about 16.5 metres in diameter. Its structure was held up by massive standing stones around the circumference. The walls were made of stone and filled with earth. The roof was made of turf placed on rafters made of brush and supported by timber posts

7,500 BC

Long houseThe longhouse measured about 20 by 9 metres made of turf with the ends made of timber. The roof was supported by two rows of posts standing on a large stone. Like most Viking houses of the time there were no internal walls.

Stone circles in the Isle of Man

Standing stones

Likely original look

Stonehenge 2,500 BC

Egyptian civilisation 3,000 – 300 BC

Egyptian civilisation

Egyptian temples Theatres

3,000 – 300 BC

Greek civilisation

Greek Civilisation

Greek Theatres Greek Temples

700 – 200 BC

Roman civilisation

Roman Civilisation

Roman Theatres Roman temples

500 - 0 BC