First Humans and Agricultural Revolution

The Big Bang

14 Billion Years ago, no life

Paleozic

• Old Life

• 600-250 Million Years Ago

• life emerges

Mesozoic

• Mid Life

• 250-65 Million Years Ago

• New life emerges: Dinosaurs, Plants, Mammals

Cenozoic

• Recent Life

• 65 Million Years ago- Present

• Wipes out previous life

• New complex creatures (human life)

how did hominids become and when?

frequently changing environment, est. 5-8 million years ago

what are australopithecus?

a collection of the hominid species. they are bipedal, have bigger brains, smaller teeth, and less hair (from chimps). used speech and tools

what is the progression of early humans?

homo erectus to homo sapien neanderthalis to homo sapiens sapiens

homo erectus

started in east africa, 2 million years ago

homo sapiens neanderthalis

migrated from east africa to europe, less than a million years ago

homo sapiens sapiens

migrated further to europe, asia, and the americas, 250,000 years ago

what are the biological changes due to migration?

• skin pigmentation

• body size/shape

• slower and less comprehensive

what were the cultural changes due to migration?

• adapted to environments

• demonstrated cognitive ability

• survival (tools)

• abstract thought (language and religious rituals)

• faster and more complex

what are the characteristics of foraging societies?

• no agriculture

• hunter-gatherers

• organized in bands (extended families)

• small populations (few dozen people)

• non-sedentary

• all of humanity before 10,000 BCE

what were the characteristics of social life in the foraging socities?

• relative social equality

• sexual division of labor

• shamans and/or headmen

• matrilineal societies

• 3 hour work days