Prehistory Prehistory 3 and half million years ago

Prehistory

Prehistory Ø 3 and half million years ago Ø Volcano eruption in East Africa. Ø 2 individuals walked across the landscape caused by the volcano. Ø Footprints were preserved in the stone and discovered in 1976. Ø Almost identical to those made by modern humans walking in the sand. ØHominids: ØRefers to both modern humans and to earlier groups that may have included ancestors or relatives of modern humans

Stone Age Culture Ø Stone Age: Ø Period during which hominids, including modern humans, made lasting tools mainly from stone. Ø Tools were also made from WOOD and ANIMAL BONE. Ø Divided into 3 periods. Ø Old Stone Age Ø Middle Stone Age Ø New Stone Age

Old Stone Age ØThey were hunter-gatherers ØAll of human prehistory took place during the Old Stone Age.

Fire!!!! Ø 1, 400, 000 - 500, 000 years ago learned how to use fire. Ø Theory: Hunter-gathers witnessed a grass fire caused by lighting on the open plain. Ø Learned to keep it going. Ø Discovered how to make fire by: ØRubbing 2 sticks together. ØStriking stones together to produce a spark. Ø With fire: Ø Ward off dangerous animals (afraid of fire). Ø Could move to areas with colder climates.

Settling New Areas Ø Nomads: Ø People who have no settled home. Ø Left Africa for new lands Ø Moved place to place where they thought would find food for several days. Ø Once all food was gathered would leave.

Modern Humans Ø Originated more than 100, 000 years ago in Africa. Ø 30, 000 yrs. ago crossed from Asia into North America. Ø By 10, 000 BC reached Chile in South America. Ø Population of humans were of small numbers. Ø Survived in all sorts of geographical conditions. Ø Rainforests of Africa and Asia. Ø Cold lands near the Article Circle. Ø High altitudes of the Andes in South American.

The Beginning of Farming ØMarked the beginning of the New Stone Age. ØThose who began to practice farming and grow their own food.

Early Farmers Ø Began 11, 000 years ago. Ø In Southwest Asia. Ø Found if they planted the seeds of wild grasses new crops of grasses would grow. Ø They did not have to be nomads anymore. Ø Stone tools were still used.

Early Farmers Ø Pastoral nomads: Ø Raised livestock and traveled from place to place in search of grazing areas for the animals to stay and eat. Ø Commonly found in desert-roaming areas: Ø IRAQ Ø SYRIA Ø Women: Ø First to plant seeds. Ø Responsible for gathering plants and seeds Ø Harvested crops each year. Ø Men: Ø Hunters.

Farming Around the World… Ø Some places better for farming then others. Ø Soil was better fertilized or richer in the substances needed to grow in certain areas. Ø Plants need: Ø Light and warmth. Ø Long springs and summers. Ø 9, 000 years ago Ø Chinese farmers began to plant rice Ø Central America people began to plant: Ø Corn Ø Beans Ø Squash

Plant Selection Ø Crops looked much different then they do today. Ø When crops were first harvested they would choose the seeds from the biggest, best tasting plants. Ø Domesticate plants: Ø To adapt wild plants for human use. Ø There careful selection of seeds led to the types of plants we eat today.

Raising Animals • Learned to domesticate animals. • Dogs first to be domesticated. o Used for hunting. • Taming bigger animal such as: o Pigs o Sheep o Goats • Allowed ready sources of: o Meat o Milk o Wool and skins • 2500 B. C. o Cattle, horses, and donkeys were trained to carry heavy loads.