Prehistory

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to the study of human prehistory, focusing on evolution, migration, and the development of early civilizations.

Bipedalism

The ability to walk on two legs, which allowed hominids to use their hands for tool-making and other functions.

Homo habilis

An early species of hominid known for making stone tools, often referred to as the 'handy man.'

Radiocarbon dating

A scientific method to determine the age of organic materials by measuring the levels of carbon-14.

Paleolithic Era

The prehistoric period characterized by the development of the first stone tools and the use of fire.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyles to settled agricultural communities.

Çatalhüyük

An important early Neolithic settlement located in modern-day Turkey, known for its sophisticated urban layout.

Holocene

The current geological epoch that began approximately 11,700 years ago, following the last major ice age.

Natufians

An ancient group of people who lived in the Levant during the Epipaleolithic period, known for early agriculture.

Jericho

One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, located in the West Bank, notable for early urban development.

Oldowan Industry

The earliest known stone tool industry, characterized by simple chipped stones used by early hominids.

Pleistocene

A geologic epoch marked by repeated glaciations and the evolution of Homo sapiens.

Homo sapiens

The species name for modern humans, characterized by a larger brain and more advanced tool-making.

Agriculture

The practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food.

Neanderthals

An extinct species of hominids closely related to modern humans, known to have used tools and engaged in burial practices.

Fossil record

The preserved remains or traces of organisms from the past, providing critical evidence for the study of human evolution.

Clovis point

A type of stone tool associated with the earliest inhabitants of North America.