Early Humans Prehistory Before people developed writing Information

Early Humans

Prehistory • Before people developed writing • Information from this era is mainly from archaeology(artifacts, fossils ) • Anthropology – how humans developed and how they related to their environment.

Paleolithic- Old Stone Age

Paleolithic- 2. 5 million- 8000 B. C. • Hunter – gathers- most of the time spent searching for food ( Nomads) • Men – hunted animals, caught fish & insects • Women- gathered nuts, berries, fruits, grains and plants • Groups or bands of 30 or so members • Adapted to their environment

Life changing discovery- Fire

Fire • • • Fire provided: Warmth Cook meat and food Smoke meats to preserve Light protection

Ice Ages

Ice Age • Long periods of extreme cold- great threat to life • 100, 000 B. C. - 8000 B. C. • Thick ice covered much of North America and Europe • People had to adapt: – Shelters – Changing diet - use animal fur - mastery of fire

Early humans language • Spoken language developed over time • Made it easier to work together • Passed knowledge from one group of people to other groups

Early Humans Art

Early Humans Art • Some told stories • Some could have had religious meanings? • Might have brought good luck to a hunt

Invention of tools

Tools • Flint( axes, spear tips, arrows) • Bones( needles, saw, scrappers)

Neolithic – New Stone Age

Neolithic – New Stone Age • 8000 B. C. - 4000 B. C. • New advances – Domestication of animals Provided meat, milk, wool and power to do work – Farming Provided a steady food source & the ability to live in one place

Villages

Growth of Villages • Farmers stayed in one place to grow and care for their crops • Who remained nomadic? • Two earliest Neolithic villages – 8000 B. C. - Jericho – 6700 B. C. – Catal Huyuk

Benefits of Settled Life- Farming Revolution • • Steady food supply Growing population- larger work force Trade Specialization – Farmers – Craftsman – Merchants