Early Man • Most of the 2 million plus years of mans existence has been associated with the Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age. • This period had both Homo erectus and Homo sapiens sapiens and lasted until 14,000 years ago. HE disappeared about 40,000 years ago. HSS are our direct descendants.
Hunter/Gatherer and Late Paleolithic Developments • HG economies dominated human history until 9000 BCE and help propel migration over most of the lands of the earth. • Tool use helped improve their existence • Competition between “human types” killed off species of man over time • HSS originated about 240,000 years ago and language developed HE about 100,000 years ago. • By late Paleolithic period people had developed rituals and religions to lessen the fear about death and nature. It was during this time humans spread from East Africa into Asia, Europe, and finally North America. • From 12000-8000 BCE man made better stone tools, including weapons • Mesolithic people domesticated animals, leading to more food, and increased population, and conflict.
The Neolithic Revolution • NR- term given to the development of agricultural societies. • Revolution in economic, political and social organization began in the Middle East as early as 10000 BCE and gradually spread to other centers, including parts of India, North Africa, and Europe. • Advances in agriculture led to increase in three levels of specialization regarding particular economic, political, and religious functions • Increase in food production also led to a massive increase in populations. There is evidence that HG peoples resisted agriculture for as long as they could. • By 3000 BCE metalworking became common in Middle East. Greatly aided both agriculture and herding societies. Metal tool makers exchanged their tools w/ farmers for food
Civilizations • Word “civilization” comes from the Latin term for “city.” Formal