THE FIRST HUMANSPrehistory-3500 BC

Chapter Objectives

Explain the methods scientists use to uncover early human existence

Describe the nature of human life during the Old Stone Age

Identify the important developments of the New Stone Age

Define civilization and identify the characteristics of a civilization

Early Humans• Before History•Early Stages of Development•The Hunters-Gatherers of the Old Stone Age

Before History

Prehistory- period for which we have no written records

Prehistoric people had no cities, countries, or centralized governments

The story of early humans relies primarily on archaeological and biological information

Archaeologists and anthropologists use this information to create theories of our early past

Archaeology and Anthropology

Archaeology- study of past societies through an analysis of what people have left behind Artifacts- tools, pottery, paintings, weapons,

buildings, and household items Anthropology- study of human life and

culture Use artifacts and human fossils

Scientific Methods Used to Create Theories

Radiocarbon Dating Scientists calculate the age of an object by

measuring the amount of C-14 left in it Accurate for objects 50,000 yrs old or less

Thermoluminescence Measures the light given off by electrons

trapped in soil surrounding an object Accurate for objects up to 200,000 yrs old

Biological Methods DNA and blood molecule analysis

Think-Pair-Share

What artifacts from contemporary culture would best show contemporary ways of life, beliefs, and values to archaeologists and anthropologists tens of thousands of years from now? Explain what these artifacts would teach future peoples about us.

Early Stages of Developnment

Australopithecines

Homo Erectus

Neanderthals

Homo Sapiens Sapiens

Stage 1 2 3* 3*

Translation “Southern apes”“Upright Human Being”

“Wise , Wise Human Being”

When 3-4 Million Yrs Ago1.5 Million

Yrs Ago100,000-

300,000 Yrs Ago150,000-200,000

Where AfricaAfrica,

Europe, Asia

Europe, Southwest Asia

Everywhere

Tools/ Advancements/Acheivements

Made simple stone tools

Larger more varied

tools; First to leave

Africa; Use of fire

Variety of stone tools; First

people to bury their dead;

Clothes from animal skins

First anatomically

modern humans

Spread of Homo Sapiens Sapiens

Homo Sapiens Sapiens replaced Neanderthals by 30,000 BC

Spread of these first modern humans was slow Groups of people, probably in search of food,

moved at a rate of 2-3 miles per generation Although slow, this was enough to populate

the entire world of tens of thousands of years

- All humans today belong to this subgroup of human beings

Think-Pair-Share

Look at the Geography Skills questions on page 22.

Using the map, answer the 2 questions

Answers:1. North America to South America (2,000yrs)2. Northeast North America

The Hunter-Gatherers of the Old Stone Age

Paleolithic Age Early period of human history (approximately

2,500,000 to 10,000 BC) Humans used simple stone tools “Old Stone Age”

Paleolithic Way of Life

Paleolithic Age

Nomadic

Roles of Men and Women

Shelter

Use of Fire

Inventions

Art

Reading Activity

As we read from page 22-25, write down all important aspects of Paleolithic life, in relation to the graphic organizer on the previous slide

Questions:1. What were the different roles of Paleolithic men and women, in regards to finding food?

- Women gathered berries, nuts, and fruits Men hunted

2. Why was finding food the principal work of Paleolithic peoples?

- Needed food for survival

The Neolithic Revolution and the Rise of CivilizationThe Neolithic RevolutionThe Emergence of Civilization

The Neolithic Revolution

Neolithic Age Period of human history from 8000 to 4000 BC “New Stone Age” Shift from hunting and gathering to systematic

agriculture- keeping of animals and growing of food

End of nomadic lifestyles

The Growing of Crops

By 8000 BC, systematic agriculture developed in Southwest Asia

By 4000 BC, systematic agriculture was well established in central Europe and the coastal regions of the Mediterranean

Neolithic Farming Villages

The growing of crops gave rise to more permanent settlements

These farming villages were located all over, but the most prominent ones were located in Southwest Asia

Due to increased food production, food surpluses made it possible for people to do things other than farming

Artisans were skilled workers that made products such as weapons or jewelry that was traded with neighboring villages

Shrines and statues point to growing role of religion

Consequences of the Neolithic Revolution

Building of houses and other structures Development of trade Specialized labor Refined stone tools Men become more involved in farming

and herding Women responsible for caring for children

and other activities requiring labor in one place

Men take a dominant role

End of the Neolithic Age

Between 4000 and 3000 BC new developments affected Neolithic towns

Copper was first metal to be used for making tools Western Asians discovered combination of copper and

tin formed bronze-harder and more durable than copper Bronze Age- 3000 – 1200 BC

As farming was mastered, societies began building armies and walled cities, by beginning of Bronze age, large numbers of people were concentrated in the river valleys of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China

Think-Pair-Share

How did the Neolithic Age differ from the Paleolithic age?

The Emergence of Civilization

Culture- the way of life a group of people follow

Civilization- a complex culture in which large numbers of human beings share a number of common elements

Historians have identified basic characteristics of civilizations

What Makes a Civilization

What Makes a Civilization?

Cities

Central Governmen

ts

Organized Religion

Social Classes

System of Writing

Art and Architectur

e

Reading Activity

As we read page 30-31 write down all important information as it pertains to the six characteristics of civilizations discussed.

Be prepared to share findings

Exit Ticket

Respond to 2 out of the 4 following prompts. Be sure responses are written in full, correct sentences. Please # the responses by the number of the prompt being answered.

1. Explain the methods scientists use to uncover early human existence

2. Describe the nature of human life during the Old Stone Age

3. Identify the important developments of the New Stone Age

4. Define civilization and identify the characteristics of a civilization