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Homer sapiens

Homer sapiens. Enter Humans. Human Lineage (after dinosaurs). 65 million years The Primate ORDER, which includes prosimians , monkeys, apes, australopithecines and humans 30-20 million years prehistoric apes begin appearing in response to the changes in environment

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Homer sapiens

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  1. Homer sapiens

  2. Enter Humans

  3. Human Lineage (after dinosaurs) 65 million years The Primate ORDER, which includes prosimians, monkeys, apes, australopithecines and humans 30-20 million years prehistoric apes begin appearing in response to the changes in environment Note what happens next is debated.

  4. Human Lineage (after dinosaurs) 10-20 million years Apes living in southern Africa spend more time on the ground due to receding forests 5-6 million years One species of prehistoric ape started an evolutionary “branch” that led to all australopithecines and humans

  5. Tracing Human Lineage • smaller brained upright walker • Australopithecus africanus(southern ape of Africa) • Estimated over 1 million years

  6. Tracing Human Lineage • heavyset human relative • classified as HomoErectus (human upright) • Estimated at 0.5 million years old (relative dating)

  7. The thing about dates… Relative Dating Items found deeper in the ground are thought to be older Absolute Dating 1950’s (chronometric dating) Measures the radioactive decay of potassium into argon gas in volcanic ash, surrounding a sample

  8. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Upright Stance – our “branch” developed this characteristic approx. 4.5 million years ago • Caused a complete overhaul of our skeleton • Being on two feet freed our hands to make tools and brains to make culture

  9. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Skull and Brain Size • Bigger brains = bigger thoughts! The key to survival in an ever changing world • Our ancestors can now “adapt” much more quickly… don’t have to wait to evolve just put on a sweater! • Brains reached approx. modern size around 150,000 ago

  10. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Face and Teeth • Face and teeth shrank as new technology like tools and fire diminished our need for powerful jaws and sharp teeth • Smaller face and slender bones emerged 200,000 yrs. ago

  11. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Body Hair Loss and Skin Colour • In hot dry climate swapped thick fur for dark skin and sweat glands – 2 million years ago • Sweat keeps us cool and colour provides necessary sunscreen • As migration occurs away from equator skin becomes lighter to allow more sunlight in for vitamin D creation

  12. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Feet • Long narrow feet meant for lots of upright walking • Swollen heels with spongy tissue to absorb shock of walking and running • 3.5 million years ago Discovered in 1976 by Mary Leaky in Laetoli, Africa Evidence suggests a mother and child holding hands walking

  13. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Burial • Only modern humans and Neanderthals buried their dead in graves • 100,000 years ago • Suggests contemplation of death • No ceremony with Neanderthals but humans often buried with “grave goods” like artifacts or ornaments

  14. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Art • Appeared suddenly approx. 40,000 years ago • Wall paintings, animal carvings, human figurines, neclaces • Symbolic meanings suggest that complex language must have evolved at this time Venus of Willendorf 27,000 yrs old

  15. 9 Characteristics of Humans Lascaux Cave Paintings 17,000 years old

  16. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Nomadic Wandering Wandering of Ancestors began as far back As 1.8 million years ago The map on the right shows Homo sapiens sapiens final Wave of migration replacing Previous branches

  17. 9 Characteristics of Humans • Innovative Thought • Ancestors have been using tools since hands were free • Explosion of tool use began 50,000 years ago – appearance of all kinds of specialized tools • Materials varied (bone, stone, ivory) • Hunting tools become sophisticated • No more “one-tool-does-it-all”

  18. Stay Tuned…. Next Week: The Birth of Civilization, Archaeology Exercise, Writing and More

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