Human Origins in AfricaHuman Origins in Africa

The BeginningThe Beginning

Scientists Search for Human Scientists Search for Human OriginsOrigins

• Archaeologists – specially trained scientists that try and discover the past.

• They Analyze bones and artifacts.

• Artifacts – Human-made objects.

• Anthropologists – study culture of the past.

• Culture – a people’s unique way of life.

• Paleontologists – study fossils.

Human Origins Cont…Human Origins Cont…

• Hominids – refer to humans and other creatures that walked upright, such as the australopithecines.

• Foot prints discovered in East Africa.• Walking upright enabled them to cover

distances easier and carry food and children.

• Opposable thumbs made it easier to handle objects.

The Old Stone Age BeginsThe Old Stone Age Begins

• Stone Age = invention of tools, language, and mastery over fire.

• Stone Age is broken down into two periods = Paleolithic Age (2.5 million – 8000 BC) and Neolithic Age (8000 BC – 3000 BC)

• Paleolithic Age = Ice Age

Hominid DevelopmentHominid Development

• After the australopithecines, came the Homo habilis – used tools.

• Then came Homo erectus – used intelligence to develop technology. More adaptable species.

• Homo erectus - first to use fire and developed the beginnings of spoken language.

The Dawn of Modern HumansThe Dawn of Modern Humans

• Homo sapiens = “wise men” (larger brains)• Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons have

traditionally been classified as early groups of Homo sapiens.

• Neanderthals – heavy slanted brows, well developed muscles, and thick bones.

• Cro-Magnons – almost identical to modern human. They used specialized tools and planned their hunts.