U1 Early Humans

Origin: Thought to have started in Africa, known as the "cradle of humankind" due to the discovery of the oldest human fossils and artifacts.
Artifacts: While artifacts have been discovered in various parts of the world, those found in Africa date back the furthest, providing critical insights into early human life.
Dating Method: The age of these artifacts is dated using Carbon 14 dating, which measures the amount of carbon isotopes remaining in organic materials to approximate their age.

Australopithecus:
- Lived 4 million to 1 million years ago, and are among the earliest humanlike creatures, known for their ability to walk upright.
- Notable discoveries include:
  - Evidence found in Africa by Mary Leakey in 1978.
  - “Lucy”, an Australopithecus specimen, discovered by Donald Johanson, who lived 3.2 million years ago; represents the first complete skeleton of this species.
Homo Habilis:
- Lived 2.5 million to 1 million years ago.
- Name means “man of skill,” indicating their advancement in tool-making.
- First known hominids to create stone tools, which they used for cutting meat and cracking bones; evidence shows they could efficiently cut elephant meat.
- Often referred to as the "Handy Man" due to their tool-making abilities.
Homo Erectus:
- Lived from 1.6 million to about 30,000 years ago.
- Remains have been uncovered in Africa, Asia, and Europe, highlighting their widespread presence.
- Known as the “upright man,” they developed advanced skills in using stone tools for various purposes, including digging and scraping.
- First hominids to control and create fire, significantly impacting their ability to manipulate environments.
- Thought to have developed early spoken or oral language, enhancing social interactions and cooperation.

Commonly referred to as modern humans, they inhabited Earth from approximately 100,000 to 400,000 years ago.
Include two notable variants:
- Cro-Magnon:
  - Lived in Europe; their remains are representative of fully modern humans.
  - Created intricate cave art, showcasing their creativity and cultural practices.
  - Demonstrated advanced hunting strategies by studying animals and stalking prey meticulously.
- Neanderthals:
  - Found in Europe and Southwestern Asia; they are regarded as the first known hominids to practice ritual burials.
  - Engaged in a competitive lifestyle with Cro-Magnons for food, indicating resource-based conflicts.
  - Physically robust and muscular, resembling the stereotypical image of cavemen.

Early humans lived in clans or small groups, fostering a sense of community.
They were nomadic, constantly traveling in search of food resources, which included hunting animals and gathering wild plants.
Men primarily took on the role of hunters, while women mostly gathered edible plants.
In their quest for survival, they were often in search of shelter, water, and food sources.

The oldest cave paintings, found in locations across Europe, Africa, and Asia, date back approximately 30,000 to 40,000 years.
These artworks are believed to have been part of religious ceremonies or rituals, highlighting the early human’s spiritual beliefs and cultural expressions.