Notes on Sapiens: The Birth of Humankind (Graphic History)

The Very Big Picture

Central questions: What makes us unique? Who are we? Where did we come from?
A major turning point: Was farming a good idea?
Thresholds of increasing complexity (a growth story from the cosmos to humans):
- THRESHOLD 1: The Big Bang — Physics: matter, energy, time and space came into being.
- THRESHOLD 2: The stars light up.
- THRESHOLD 3: New chemicals.
- The first stars die and create heavier elements.
- THRESHOLD 4: Earth & the Solar System.
- THRESHOLD 5: Life on Earth.
- THRESHOLD 6: The appearance of our species.
- THRESHOLD 7: Agriculture.
- THRESHOLD B: The modern revolution.
Concept: The story is a ladder of increasing complexity from the Big Bang to modern humanity.
Quick timeline anchors:
- 13.5 billion years ago: The Big Bang marks the origin of physics, matter, energy, time, and space.
- About 3.00\times 10^5 years after appearance of matter/energy: Atoms coalesce; atoms form molecules; chemistry is the study of interactions among atoms/molecules.
- About 3.8\times 10^9 years ago: Life (biology) emerges as complex organisms form from molecules.
- About 7.0\times 10^4 years ago: History begins—Homo sapiens start forming cultures.
These milestones set the stage for humans to become who/what we are today.

Homo sapiens (Genus Homo; Species sapiens):
- Homo = the larger human family.
- Homo sapiens = the human species (man = wise).
- Examples of other Homo species mentioned: Homo rudolfensis (East Africa), Homo erectus (Asia), Homo neanderthalensis (Europe and Western Asia).
Timeline: From about 2{,}000{,}000 years ago to around 10{,}000 years ago, at least 6 different human species inhabited the world.
- Notable examples: Homo rudolfensis, Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis.
The Migration (about 7{,}0{,}0{,}0{,}0 years ago):
- Homo sapiens originated in East Africa and spread into the Arabian Peninsula, then across the Eurasian landmass.
- Theories about interaction with other humans emerged after this migration.

Theory 1: The Interbreeding Theory
- When sapiens spread into Neanderthal lands, they interbred until the two populations merged.
- If true, today’s Eurasians are a blend of Sapiens and Neanderthals.
- Diagram reference: Homo sapiens × Homo neanderthalensis.
Theory 2: The Replacement Theory
- Sapiens replaced all previous human populations with no interbreeding and no admixture.
The Truth? Which theory is correct? A) Interbreeding, B) Replacement, C) It’s complicated.
2010 DNA evidence from Neanderthal bones compared to modern humans:
- Results were surprising to researchers and sparked debate.
Important nuance from the findings:
- The low percentage of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans suggests there wasn’t a complete species merger; contacts were rare.
- Additionally, Denisovan DNA is present in some modern populations: about 6\% in modern Melanesians and Aboriginal Australians.

Timeline anchor: 7{,}0{,}0{,}0{,}0 years ago marks the Cognitive Revolution—the key to human success and the start of history.
Core question: What was sapiens’ secret to success?
Three waves of new abilities (the cognitive revolution) and their social consequences:
- 1) New Ability: The capacity to transmit large quantities of information about the world around Homo sapiens.
  - Wider consequences: Planning and carrying out complex actions (e.g., avoiding predators, coordinating hunts).
- 2) New Ability: The capacity to transmit information about social relationships.
  - Wider consequences: Formation of larger, more cohesive groups, up to about 150 individuals.
- 3) New Ability: The capacity to transmit information about things that do not actually exist (e.g., tribal spirits, nations, corporations, human rights).
  - Wider consequences: Cooperation among very large numbers of strangers and rapid innovation in social behavior.

The Agricultural Revolution as the next leap:
- Timeline anchor: About 12{,}000 years ago.
- The Agricultural/Neolithic Revolution: Sapiens’ growth and misery—often described as the biggest upheaval in human life.
- Core question from the era: Was farming a good idea?
The revolution introduced farming and animal domestication as the new base of human societies, altering diet, settlement, social structure, and technology.

Timeline and scope:
- The Agricultural Revolution spans multiple independent centers around the world (roughly 2000 BC to 4500 BC in various regions).
- Regions with independent agricultural revolutions include parts of the Middle East (Mesopotamia), Nile Valley, Indus Valley, and China; also in the Americas and Pacific regions.
Illustrative map elements (as presented in the graphic):
- Americas: Olmec civilization (sites like San Lorenzo and La Venta in the Gulf of Mexico region), Norte Chico, Caral.
- Africa and the Middle East: Nile Valley civilizations (Giza, Memphis, Jericho, Thebes, Akhetaten), Mesopotamian cultures (Nippur, Lagash, Babylon).
- Asia: Chinese civilizations (Shang Dynasty; Anyang, Zhengzhou, Yangzi River sites), and other early settlements.
- South and Central America: Olmec civilization; Andean centers like Caral/Norte Chico (with the broader Andean coastline and inland sites).
- Additional geography highlighted: Mediterranean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Caspian Sea, Yellow River, Nile, Indus Valley, and other river basins with early urban developments.
Outcome: The spread of farming led to the emergence of the first civilizations, with urban centers, writing, and complex social structures.