Characteristics of hunter gatherer societies Brief History of

Characteristics of hunter gatherer societies

Brief History of the World - Beginning of the universe: 13. 7 billion years ago - First life on earth (single-celled organisms): 3. 5 billion years ago - First multi-celled organism emerged from the oceans: 500 million years ago - First bipedal apes: 7 million years example: Lucy, found in 1992 in current Ethiopia by Mary Leaky, stood 3. 5 feet tall. Why bipedalism? Possibly an advantage in the savanna to look for food and dangers, and to carry food or babies) Homo Sapiens: emerged in Africa 200, 000 years ago Neanderthals emerged about 400, 000 years ago Genetic mapping has shown significant interbreeding between homo sapiens and Homo sapiens extinguished Neanderthals about 40, 000 years ago.

Should we see ourselves at the center of the universe? If we say that the universe began 13 years ago, bipedal apes appeared three days ago, homo sapiens appeared 53 minutes ago, and the industrial revolution took place six seconds ago. (from Cynthia Stokes Brown)

The Paleolithic (or the Hunter Gatherer) Period is the longest period in human history All groups of people have behaviors, activities and beliefs that they pass from generation to generation. We call this culture. Specific cultures vary from group to group, but all cultures have some common categories. What are the categories you would call universal?

Food clothing Shelter economics religion and philosophy family and society (including hierarchies) communication (including language, art, literature and architecture

What distinguishes humans from animals? A. Bipedalism B. Tool-making C. Larger brains D. Symbolic language

Symbolic Language & Collective Learning Why is symbolic language significant? allows for more sophisticated sharing of ideas and collective knowledge

Hunter Gatherer Life Nomads, regularly on the move Lived in small groups, usu. 10 -12 adults plus children Kinship is important: clans of 50 -100 adults Common ancestor, identity, allies/enemies, myth, spiritual beliefs Religion: the spiritual dimension infused all activities and all things Animistic beliefs: ascribe spirits to the natural environment Ancestor worship

Technology By 10, 000 BC, wide range of tech was developed Most fundamental was the ability to make and maintain fire. WHY? Permanent villages around coastal areas

Discuss: Is foraging life “nasty, brutish, and short” as Thomas Hobbes thought? (benefits and limitations of hunter gatherer life)