Transcript of Chapter 1 AP World History - Traditions and Encounters
The Evolution of Homo sapiens
Paleolithic Society
The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture
The Hominids
Australopithecus:
Developed in Africa 4 million to 1 million years ago
Bipedal, able to plan journeys (about 10 miles long), brain size 500 cc
Part of brain used for speech underdeveloped
Homo erectus:
Lived 2 million to 200,000 years ago (after Australopithecus)
Brain size 1000 cc, wielded fire
Communicated with sounds (no language yet), journeyed outside east and south Africa
Homo sapiens
More developed in frontal lobe, found ways to use Earth's resources
Found ways to use vocal cords to communicate 150,000 years ago, let them report more complex messages
With languages, they were able to establish stationary homes around the world, moved across temperate zones
Human population started to grow exponentially about 60,000 to 50,000 years ago
Homo sapiens (continued)
Crossed land bridges into Australia 60,000 years ago, crossed form Siberia into Alaska 25,000 years ago
Migrated with animals
Used tools to control surroundings, wore animal skin and used fire to keep warm
Brought pressure on some animals and even drove others into extinction
Archaeologists study hunting and gathering societies today to gain insight on Paleolithic people
Couldn't collect wealth, followed migration of animals, lived equal
Men hunted and women gathered, had 30 to 50 members (if too big, wouldn't be able to provide for everyone)
Understood environment, made weapons to hunt big animals, a group of men attacked the animal at the same time
Paleolithic Culture
Neandertal people not just focused on survival, reflective thought was shown through burial
Traded and lived in close proximity with Homo sapiens, little interbreeding
Homo sapiens more creative than Neandertals, information was passed down (there was no need for trial and error)
Were able to acquire more information
200,000 years ago - stone blades
140,000 years ago - learned to sustain
Paleolithic Society
The Neolithic Era and the Transition to Agriculture
The Hominids
Australopithecus:
Developed in Africa 4 million to 1 million years ago
Bipedal, able to plan journeys (about 10 miles long), brain size 500 cc
Part of brain used for speech underdeveloped
Homo erectus:
Lived 2 million to 200,000 years ago (after Australopithecus)
Brain size 1000 cc, wielded fire
Communicated with sounds (no language yet), journeyed outside east and south Africa
Homo sapiens
More developed in frontal lobe, found ways to use Earth's resources
Found ways to use vocal cords to communicate 150,000 years ago, let them report more complex messages
With languages, they were able to establish stationary homes around the world, moved across temperate zones
Human population started to grow exponentially about 60,000 to 50,000 years ago
Homo sapiens (continued)
Crossed land bridges into Australia 60,000 years ago, crossed form Siberia into Alaska 25,000 years ago
Migrated with animals
Used tools to control surroundings, wore animal skin and used fire to keep warm
Brought pressure on some animals and even drove others into extinction
Archaeologists study hunting and gathering societies today to gain insight on Paleolithic people
Couldn't collect wealth, followed migration of animals, lived equal
Men hunted and women gathered, had 30 to 50 members (if too big, wouldn't be able to provide for everyone)
Understood environment, made weapons to hunt big animals, a group of men attacked the animal at the same time
Paleolithic Culture
Neandertal people not just focused on survival, reflective thought was shown through burial
Traded and lived in close proximity with Homo sapiens, little interbreeding
Homo sapiens more creative than Neandertals, information was passed down (there was no need for trial and error)
Were able to acquire more information
200,000 years ago - stone blades
140,000 years ago - learned to sustain