A Timeline of Prehistory

Question and Answer flashcards covering the major milestones and concepts from the Timeline of Prehistory notes.

When did bipedal hominids begin to develop?

About 10 million years ago.

When did Australopithecine appear?

About 7 million years ago.

Ardi lived approximately how long ago?

About 4.4 million years ago.

Lucy lived approximately how long ago?

About 3 million years ago.

When did the Paleolithic Era begin?

About 2 million years ago.

Which hominins appeared around the start of the Paleolithic Era?

Homo Habilis (Handy Man) and Homo Erectus (Upright Man).

What is notable about early Paleolithic development?

Early use of tools and perhaps fire.

When did Neanderthals appear and when did they go extinct?

Appeared about 400,000 years ago; extinct around 40,000 years ago.

When did Homo sapiens appear?

About 200,000 years ago.

What capabilities did Homo sapiens bring?

More complex tools and weapons; controlled use of fire; language.

What belief system probably appears with Homo sapiens?

Animism.

When did the Neolithic Revolution occur?

Around 12,000 years ago.

What major development did the Neolithic Revolution bring?

Domestication of plants and animals leading to farming.

What religious development is probably associated with early civilizations?

Polytheism.

What political structure contributed to the creation of civilization?

City-states.

What governance feature characterized early civilizations?

Organized government.

What feature described the religions of early civilizations?

Complex religions.

What types of public projects were common in civilizations?

Public works.

What forms of cultural expression flourished in civilizations?

Arts and architecture.

What economic/social development involved specialized labor and social classes?

Job specialization and the creation of social classes.

What development enabled record-keeping and communication in civilizations?

The development of writing.

Discussion Question: In prehistoric times, how did human interaction affect gender roles, class distinctions, and the environment?

It influenced gender roles, class distinctions, and the environment.