Human Evolution

Flashcards about Human Evolution lecture notes

Archaeology

The study of pre historic humans remained materials used by pre historic humans.

Anthropology

The study of humans and evolutionary history.

Australopithecus

A mix of human and ape traits, bipedal walk, evolved in eastern Africa

Homo habilis

Tool maker, presence of big toe to hold tightly and less protruding face

Homo erectus

Walked in a straight position and had the knowledge of the fire.

Neanderthal

Different from Africans. Their tools were crude. Hunting skills were also poor. Evidences are seen at Neanderthal in Germany; burying the dead.

Homo Sapiens

Modern human being; hunting and gathering society; still used crude stone implements. Moved out of Africa and settled in Europe and Asia.

Cromagnons

The modern human. Beginning of human life; used implements made of stone but also of bone. Their weapons included harpoons and spear-throwers.

Human evolution

The process through which the humankind changes and develops towards an advanced stage of life.

Nomadic life of ancestors

They lived in groups in a cave or a mountain range. Each group consisted of 30 to 40 people. They kept on moving in search of food, hunting, art of fishing, collected honey from beehives, plucked fruits from the trees and dug out tubers from the ground. They also collected grains from the forest.

Stone Tools and Weapons

Flint stone known for its strength and durability. Humans made sharp weapons and tools with the help of the stones and fitted them with wood to grip them. Humans created tools like axes with big stones for cutting trees, removing barks, digging pits, hunt animals and remove the skin of animals.

Use of fire

Humans used it to protect them from predators, for cooking food and for creating light during night.

Invention of the Wheel

Considered to be the foremost invention. It made pot making easier, and the pots made were burnt to make it stronger. They decorated pots with lot of colours. The colour dyes were made from the extracts of roots, leaves or barks.

Ancient Rock Paintings

They depict hunting pictures of the male and the female, dancing pictures and pictures of children playing. Give some information about the past lifestyle.

From Nomadic to Settled Life: World’s Earliest Farmers

The seed of fruits and the nuts they ate were thrown into the soil. During rains, the soil gave it life. Some days later, the saplings sprouted from the soil. By observation and logic, they learn that a plant grows from a single seed and yields lots of fruits and vegetables, that seeds that fall in the river beds sprout easily, that plants grow faster in water fed areas, and that alluvial soil is more suitable for plant growth than any other.

Domestication of animals

Dogs could sniff other animals and chase them away. So humans found them useful for hunting.. Following the dogs, they started domesticating hen, goat and cow.

Barter system

Permanent settlement in a place increased the yield of crops. Now they had grains in excess of what they consumed. The surplus grains were exchanged with other groups for the other things they were in need of.

Time machine

A machine capable of taking a person backward or forward in time.

Evolution

Gradual change leading to a more advanced development

Predator

animal that hunts and kills other living things for food

Footprints

the impression of the foot of a person or an animal

Hides

tanned skin of an animal

Million

1,000,000 (10 lakhs)

Nomadic

Herdsmen without any fixed home moving about in search of pastures for their cattle.

Barter

Exchange of goods without involving money

Prey

An animal that is hunted and killed by another for food