PrehistoryPrehistory6,000,000,000 b.c.e.

to10,000 b.c.e.

Who studies prehistory?Who studies prehistory?

ArchaeologistsArchaeologists “DIG” up the past Discover artifacts (man-

made objects) and human remains

Use curiosity and bias to try and determine what exactly was found

AnthropologistAnthropologist “STUDY” the past Describe artifacts and

remains archaeologists find at dig sites

Use inferences/hypotheses, bias and whatever technology available to try and figure out the past

HistorianHistorian “TELLS” about the past Uses the information the

Archaeologist and Anthropologist gathered to tell about the past

Uses whatever technology and resources that are available to share the story of the past

YouYou “LEARN” about the past Using everything that the

previous professionals have done for you; and being curious, look at the material and give an effort to make sense of the past

Use resources, ask questions and simply be curious about the past

You’re the “puzzle maker”, put it together!

The “Real” Prehistory!The “Real” Prehistory!

Where do we begin?

How long ago was it?

Was it creation or evolution?

What hominids or people lived during that time?

Where do we begin?

How long ago was it?

Was it creation or evolution?

What hominids or people lived during that time?

Those are all good questions, but let’s get to the real stuff uncovered

and discussed by archaeologists,

anthropologists and historians…

shall we…

have fun and be curious…

Those are all good questions, but let’s get to the real stuff uncovered

and discussed by archaeologists,

anthropologists and historians…

shall we…

have fun and be curious…

What is prehistory?

Prehistory is the time period before written records were kept by people.

What is prehistory?

Prehistory is the time period before written records were kept by people.

Debate Topic:Creation vs. Evolution

What do you think?

Debate Topic:Creation vs. Evolution

What do you think? Creation

Belief that a higher power created the worldTime is relative with everything beginning at the same timeBeliefs, animals, people and civilization have common origins

EvolutionBelief that the world was created over billions of yearsTime is constant with everything happening as a result of earlier thingsBeliefs, animals, people and civilizations have developed over time, but have similar origins

AustralopithecinesAustralopithecines What? “Southern Ape” When? 4 million - 2.5 million Where? East Africa Characteristics? Small, timid,

“ape-like”, gatherer/scavenger/hunter, “opportunist”, nomadic, tool user, migration

Contributions? “walker”, “thinker”

Homo HabilisHomo Habilis• What? “Human with ability”• When? 2.5 million – 1.5 million• Where? Africa, Asia• Characteristics? “ape/man-

like”, oldest hominid tool maker, stone tools, advanced thinking, limited speech, gatherer/hunter

• Contributions? “walking ability”

Homo ErectusHomo Erectus What? “Walking Ability” When? 1.6 million – 250,000 b.c. Where? Africa, Europe and Asia Characteristics? Adapted to

environment, gatherer/scavenger/hunter, improved tool maker, fire, clothing

Contributions? “Sophisticated thinking”

NeanderthalsNeanderthals What? Hominid, “Missing Link” When? 200,000 b.c. – 50,000 b.c. Where? Europe, Asia Characteristics? Stocky, muscular,

adapted to environment, hunter/gatherer, fire, superstitions, sophisticated ideas – language, beliefs, tools, ideas, sensitivity, creativity

Contributions? “Cultural Beliefs”

Cro-MagnonCro-Magnon What? “Modern Man” When? 50,000 b.c. – present day Where? All continents, except

Antarctica Characteristics? “US”, earliest

modern-looking people, created the basis for modern civilization

Contributions? Our world and civilization

Eras of PrehistoryEras of PrehistoryConcepts to know –

Paleolithic – Old Stone Age 4.5 million y.a. - 12,000 y.a.

Mesolithic – Middle Stone Age12,000 y.a. – 10,000 y.a.

Neolithic – New Stone Age10,000 y.a. – 8,000 y.a.

Paleolithic EraPaleolithic Era

Paleolithic means “Old Stone Age” About 4,500,000 years ago to 12,000 years ago Simple stone/bone tools, nomadic, small groups,

“survival” mentality, scavenger/gatherer/hunter Hominid vs. Early People Australopithecines, Homo Halibis, Homo

Erectus, Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon

Mesolithic EraMesolithic Era Means “Middle Stone Age” About 12,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago Improved methods of tool making (polished stone),

semi-nomadic, animism, artwork and beliefs, life after death, hunter/gatherer/early farming experimentation

Advancements of early human groupings (Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon)

Major movement toward creation of civilization

Neolithic EraNeolithic Era Means “New Stone Age” About 10,000 years ago to 8000 years ago Creation of tools out of metal instead of stone,

permanent settlements, farmer/hunter/gatherer, division of labor, domestication of animals for labor/food, plow, weaving

Development of permanent societies led to the development of civilization

Life during PrehistoryLife during PrehistoryBeginnings Theory of African origins, migrations of

early hominids and humans

Hunters/Gatherers Lived in small hunting groups, all types of prey and any vegetation/fruits, nomadic

Early Religious Beliefs Animism, cave paintings, figurines, caring for the dead

Agricultural Revolution Beginnings of farming, domestication of animals

Changing ways of life Population growth in villages and cities, community mentality, roles of men/women, warfare, ownership and wealth

New Technologies Development of new skills/tools, metal working, plow, workshops, weaving

Creation of culture Blue-print for living

*** IMPORTANT CONCEPT TO UNDERSTAND***

*** IMPORTANT CONCEPT TO UNDERSTAND***

ASSIMILATION:Blending of cultures

Creation of culture led to the creation of civilizationCreation of culture led to the creation of civilization

Characteristics of Civilization –Cities

Organized Governments Religion

Division of Labor Social Classes

Arts and ArchitecturePublic Works Projects

Writing

River Valley CivilizationsRiver Valley CivilizationsMesopotamia Egypt

Indus China

PREHISTORY

6,000,000,000 b.c.e. to

10,000 b.c.e.