Origin of Man and Early Human Societies

World Studies

Where did humans come from?

Creationism Based on a premise that

the natural universe had a beginning, and came into being supernaturally.

Cultures all over the world each have their versions of how the world came to be.

Examples: Genesis(Christianity)

Evolution The process of change in

all forms of life over generations

Charles Darwin published The Origin of Species in 1859 suggesting that species had evolved by the process of natural selection.

“Survival of the fittest”

African Origins Ethiopia Archeologists have

found what seems to be the oldest known human remains to date.

Lucy (3.2 million years old)

Theories of Modern Humans

Multi-Regional contends that

after Homo erectus left Africa and dispersed into other portions of the Old World, regional populations slowly evolved into modern humans.

“Out of Africa” asserts that

modern humans evolved relatively recently in Africa, migrated into Eurasia and replaced all populations which had descended from Homo erectus.

Multi-regional Theory

“Out of Africa” Theory

Old Stone Age 2,500,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE Hunters and Gatherers

Men hunted Women gathered Lived in small bands of 20-30 people Could not support large population because hunting

was not a very effective. Nomads

Moved from place to place Usually migrated with herds of animals

Old Stone Age Humans of this time

period found shelter in caves

Humans left behind cave painting as evidence

Simple tools were created out of stone

New Stone Age 10,000 BCE to 4,000 BCE Gradual shift from:

Nomadic lifestyles to settled, stationary lifestyles Beginnings of farming First time humans developed surplus of food.

This allowed for specialization of labor. Meaning that not all people had to farm Some became blacksmiths, tailors,

masons and craftsmen. Beginnings of social classes

New Stone Age Agriculture developed independently in

different parts of the world. Growing crops on a regular basis made it

possible to support larger populations. Domestication of animals allows for the

replacement of manual power to animal power.

More permanent settle communities emerged.

Çatalhöyük in Turkey: One of the oldest known

communities.

Early Communities Division of labor. Engaged in trade. Development of

hierarchy. Beginnings of

religion.

What is the next step in the development of human settlements?

CIVILIZATIONS!!!