Evolution of Early Humans in Africa: A Journey Through Time
Explore the fascinating timeline of human evolution in Africa, from Australopithecines walking upright to the emergence of Homo habilis and Homo erectus. Discover how these early humans adapted, developed tools, and utilized fire, shaping the course of human history.
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4 million to 1 million BCE Southern and Eastern Africa
Australopithecines - Walking Upright What Mary Leakey and Donald Johanson found were Australopithecines, a humanlike being what walked upright. What are the benefits of walking upright? Travel longer distances more easily Carry food and children Uses about half the energy of four-limbed movement Could see above the grass to see predators. Australopithecine also had an opposable thumb. What are the benefits of this? Carry objects and make tools. (Although Australopithecine did NOT have tools!)
2.5 million BCE to 1.5 million BCE East Africa
Before Australopithecine vanished, a new hominid appeared, Homo habilis. Homo habilis dates to 2.5 million years ago. Louis and Mary Leakey discovered a hominid fossil at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. They found tools made of lava rock with this fossil which were used to cut meat and crack open bones.
1.6 million BCE to 30,000 BCE upright man Found in Africa, Asia, and Europe
HOMO ERECTUS AND TECHNOLOGY About 1.6 million years ago, before Homo habilis died out, another species appeared in East Africa. Homo erectus, or upright man. Evidence = Turkana Boy = most complete skeleton Homo erectus was different physically and behaviorally. They were more intelligent They used this intelligence to develop technology ways of applying knowledge, tools, and inventions to meet their needs. Became skillful hunters and invented more tools for digging, scraping, and cutting.
HABILIS TOOLS ERECTUS TOOLS
MORE ON ERECTUS Homo erectus was the first hominid to use fire What are the benefits of fire? Warmth Cook food Protection frighten away animals Hunting drive animal into the place you want them to go Place to socialize (around campfire) They were the first hominids to move out of Africa (India, China, Southeast Asia, Europe.)
HOW ARE ERECTUS AND LUCY DIFFERENT Physically, Homo erectus had bigger brains, shorter and thinner arms, had longer legs, a more human-like pelvis Turkana Boy was 5 3 only 8 years old (grows fast like an ape) FYI Homo erectus became less hairy. The ability to sweat allows for hunting during the day Need more food for larger brain
HOMO SAPIENS= US Many people believe Homo erectus developed into Homo sapiens, or wise men. Scholars argue about when homo sapiens first appeared but the general consensus in that they first appeared in East Africa around 200,000 years ago. Homo sapiens resembled Homo erectus but had much larger brains. Neanderthals and Cro-Magnon are early groups of Homo sapiens.
NEANDERTHALS- PHYSICAL DNA tests prove that Neanderthals are not ancestors of modern humans. Lived 200,000 to 30,000 years ago. Neanderthals were powerfully built with heavy slanted brows, well-developed muscles, and thick bones. They had low, sloping foreheads, chinless, forward jutting jaw, large front teeth, and heavy brow ridges. Pelvis is not as wide as modern human could not run long distances because had to support big frame
NEANDERTHALS- CULTURAL Evidence shows that Neanderthals tried to explain their world. They developed religious beliefs and performed rituals. About 60,000 years ago, perhaps they had a funeral for a man in Shanidar Cave, located in northeastern Iraq. During the funeral, family members covered his body with flowers. Bone flutes found at other locations.
Survived harsh winters by living in caves or temporary shelters made of bones and animal skin Made stone blades, scrapers, and other tools to cut up and skin their prey. Had clothing
MORE ON NEANDERTHALS Had fire Based upon discovered weapons they hunted close to animals high risk of injury Never learned to fish (no evidence of) Vanished mysteriously 30,000 years ago, when modern humans appear.
MODERN HUMANS (CRO- MAGNONS) Appeared 40,000 years ago. Made new tools like bone needles to sew clothing made of animal hides, axes, spears. Planned hunts, studied animals habits, and stalked their prey. Made jewelry from bone, ivory, and shell Superior hunting strategies allowed them to survive more easily. Developed weapons that could be thrown over longer distances. (much safer) Produced cave paintings
Spear Thrower Knife Bone Needle Bone Harpoon Lunar Calendar?
What makes humans special? Language and Technology With language, modern humans can communicate their ideas. Therefore, technological change happened very quickly. Before modern humans, tools hadn t changed much in a million years. The rate of technological change by modern humans was very fast. These new technologies allowed people to adapt to a changing world.
