Human Origins in Africa

1
Human Origins in Africa

• Chapter 1.1

2
I will be able to

• Describe key scientific findings about human
  origins
• List human achievements during the Stone Age
• Describe the emergence of modern humans

3
Archeologists at Work

• Records cover only the last 5,000 years or so of
  human life on earth.
• Archaeologists use special skills and tools to
  piece together things older than that

4
Artifacts vs Fossils

• Artifacts Tools, jewelry, or other objects
  modified by human hands.

Fossils Bones preserved in stone
5
Out of Africa

• Evidence shows that the first hominids originated
  in Africa more than 3 million years ago.
• Mary Leakey found the footprints of humanlike
  beings in the region of Laetoli

6
Lucy

• In 1974, Donald Johanson discovered the
  nearly-complete skeleton of Australopithecus
  Afarensis, which he nicknamed "Lucy"
• Lucy walked upright, had an opposable thumb and
  was dated back to 3.5 million years BCE

7
The Amazing Opposable Thumb!

• Early hominids walked upright
• Could travel long distances
• Used free arms to carry food, tools, and
  children.
• Could move thumbs across the palms of their hands
  and touch other fingers.

8
Homo habilis

• The name means man of skill.
• First to make stone tools
• Lived about 2.5 million years ago.

9
Homo erectus,

• About 1.6 million years ago
• More intelligent, sophisticated tools
• First to use of fire
• Migrated out of Africa

10
Control over their Environment

• The invention of tools
• Mastery over fire
• Development of language

11
Homo Sapiens

• Homo sapien (wise man) is the name given to
  modern humans.
• Had the same physical build as homo erectus
  except for a larger brain.

12
Neanderthal Man

• The first modern humans, bigger and more powerful
• Resourceful hunters
• Had religious beliefs (ritual burials)
• Vanished about 20,000 years ago

13
Cro-Magnons Emerge

• Competed with Neanderthals for land and food
• Had more skill at speaking could plan large
  scale hunts reason for survival?
• Developed art

14
The Fossil Record

• Scientists have only a vague picture of the
  origin of humans.
• More discoveries may lead to new ideas about
  early humans.
• What is clear is that humans had skills that
  helped them adapt to and survive in different
  lands and climates.