Early Humans
Anthropologists
They study things like bones and how they have changed over time
Evidence of the first humans discovered in East Africa specifically Ethiopia
Mary Leakey found the skull of a hominid
Hominids (Australopithecines)
8Hominids are humans’ closest relatives
The skull found by Mary Leakey was dated to at least 3 million years ago and Mary Leakey’s husband named the skeleton “Lucy”
The skeleton was around 4 feet tall
Hominids like Lucy are known as australopithecines
They all lived in Africa and may have been there as early as 7 million years ago
Hominids (Homo habilis)
About 2 million years ago Homo habilis appeared
Called the “Handy Man”
Was the first to make stone tools
Hominids (Homo erectus)
Around 2 million years ago Homo erectus also appeared
They walked fully upright, had larger brains and bones, and smaller teeth than other Hominids
Believed to be the first to master fire, and develop the hand ax, for digging and hunting
Their remains have been found in Asia and Europe
Around 250,000 and 100,000 years ago Homo erectus disappeared and Homo sapiens emerged
Hominids (Homo sapiens)
Most believed in the “Out of Africa” theory
Others believe Homo erectus developed into homo sapiens around the same time in different parts of the world
Out of these two groups, Homo sapiens arose- Neanderthals and the earliest modern humans
Neanderthals lived mainly in Europe and Western Asia and disappeared sometime between 50K and 30K years ago
Leaving modern humans as the only hominids left on Earth
The Old Stone Age
The correct name for the Old Stone Age is Paleolithic
was a period beginning several million years ago and ending around about 14,000 BC
During this period, different incarnations of man-made their appearance
Homo erectus, Neanderthal, and Homo sapiens
These early forms of man learned to use simple tools, make fire
Most IMPORTANTLY, these people were hunter-gatherers
Typically lived in small bands/tribes of 20-30 people
Characteristics of the Paleolithic Era
Early life was centered in East Africa and then spread
People were hunter-gatherers and nomadic, they had simple tools made of stone, bone, or wood
Environment and geography dictated human life and presented extreme challenges
Spoken language only
People believed in spirits and forces were connected to animals this is known as animism…believed in an afterlife
New Technology
Wheeled Vehicles: Saves labor, allows transport of large loads, and enhances trade
Potters Wheel (c.6000BCE): Allows the construction of more durable clay vessels and artwork
Irrigation & Driven Plows: Allows a further increase of food production, and encourages pop. growth
Advantages of Agricultural Bases Society
Steady Food Supplies
Greater populations
This leads to organized societies capable of supporting additional jobs (soldiers, managers, etc.)
Disadvantages of Agricultural Bases Society
Heavily dependent on certain food crops (failure = starvation)
Disease from close contact with animals, humans, & waste
Can’t easily leave sites
Development of Civilizations
We now have food…a place to live…what’s next?
The earliest civilizations were ALL located near major rivers
The Neothilic Revolution allowed for a surplus to occur
Traditional Economy
This type of economy relies on habits, customs, or rituals and rends to change very little over time
Trading goods for other goods - NO MONEY
Center around family or tribe
Exists in a hunter-gatherer and nomadic society
Trade relies heavily on barter
Produce only what you need (surplus or leftovers are rare)
They eventually evolved to form some form of currency for trade.
Development of Civilizations
A civilization is a complex, highly organized social order
The first civilization began in an area known as Mesopotamia
Features of a Civilization
Eight Basic Features of a Civilization: Cities, Well-organized central governments, Complex religions, Job specialization, Social classes, Arts and architecture, Public works, Writing
Organized Governments
Who will rule? Early Governments were led by warrior kings
Rulers used heredity to ensure their families’ place
Rulers claimed they were placed there by god
Governments became more complex with time and size
Used to structure large-scale projects like food production and creating laws
First Empires in Mesopotamia
Through thousands of years of war and peace, great Middle Eastern empires developed
Sargon of Akkad - 2300 B.C. Sargon invaded and conquered Sumer and other areas
He built the first empire known in history
Hammurabi brings Babylonian to power
Hammurabi’s Code: the first attempt by a ruler to codify laws arrange and set laws in writing
Criminal Laws - Dealt with private rights, such as contracts, marriage, taxes, and divorce.
Much of Hammurabi’s code was established to benefit the powerless (slaves, women)
Law #196: “If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.
Nebuchadnezzar revives Babylon
By 625 B.C. Babylon reestablished power under its aggressive leader King Nebuchadnezzar
Rise of Persia
IN 539 B.C. Babylon fell to the Persian armies of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus and his successors built the largest empire yet
Persian kings pursued a policy of tolerance or acceptance toward people they conquered