Chapter 1: Becoming Human

Australopithecines

Hominin species, including anamensis, afarensis (Lucy), and africanus, that appeared in Africa beginning around 4 million years ago and, unlike other animals, sometimes walked on two legs. Their brain capacity was a little less than one

creation narratives

Narratives constructed by different cultures that draw on their belief systems and available evidence to explain the origins of the world and humanity.

Domestication

Bringing a wild animal or plant under human control.

Evolution

Process by which species of plants and animals change over time, as a result of the favoring, through reproduction, of certain traits that are useful in that species’ environment.

Hominids

The family, in scientific classification, that includes gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans (that is, Homo sapiens, in addition to our now

Hominins

A scientific classification for modern humans and our now

Homo erectus

Species that emerged about 1.8 million years ago, had a large brain, walked truly upright, migrated out of Africa, and likely mastered fire. Homo erectus means “standing human.”

Homo sapiens

The first humans; emerged in Africa as early as 315,000 years ago and migrated out of Africa beginning about 180,000 years ago. They had bigger brains and greater dexterity than previous hominin species, whom they eventually eclipsed.

Homo habilis

Species, confined to Africa, that emerged about 2.5 million years ago and whose toolmaking ability truly made it the forerunner, though a very distant one, of modern humans. Homo habilis means “skillful human.”

hunting and gathering

Lifestyle in which food is acquired through hunting animals, fishing, and foraging for wild berries, nuts, fruit, and grains, rather than planting crops, vines, or trees. As late as 1500 CE, as much as 15 percent of the world’s population still lived by this method.

Pastoralism

A way of life in which humans herd domesticated animals and exploit their products (hides/fur, meat, and milk). Pastoralists include nomadic groups that range across vast distances, as well as transhumant herders who migrate seasonally in a more limited range.

settled agriculture

Humans’ use of tools, animals, and their own labor to work the same plot of land for more than one growing cycle. It involves switching from a hunting and gathering lifestyle to one based on farming.