EARLY HUMAN TOOLSBy: Payton C.

INTRODUCTION

In socials class, we have been studying the evolution of humans. Humans are ancestors of apes, and have been using tools for along time. Even apes could have used a stone or a stick as a tool. Currently, humans can make and use computers and other electronics as tools.

AUSTRALOPITHECUS AFARENSIS

Australopithecus afarensis (or Southern Ape) is the first hominid we studied. They were know as the missing link in the study of human evolution. These hominids had small brains, and weren’t as evolved as other hominids, and they didn’t use tools to help them eat. They didn’t need tools to hunt, they gathered. If they found a rock, or a sharp stick, they would use it.

HOMO HABILUS

The homo habilus was called the handyman because it was the first hominid to create and use its own tools. The tools they made were for chopping and cutting. They were able to hunt because of these tools, although they weren’t very skilled hunters, and often ate discarded meat. They could also use fire as a tool, but couldn’t make it. The Australopithecus afarensis was more ape-like, so these were the first true humans.

HOMO ERECTUS

The Homo erectus (meaning upright man) was the first hominid to stand up straight. They could make more intricate tools, like tools for butchering, like axes. They were also the first to be able to create and control fire. Because of these tools, fire and axes, they could hunt larger game, and cook their food. They were healthier in general because they were eating cooked, and healthier, food instead of raw.

HOMO SAPIENS NEANDERTHALENSIS

These hominids were the first to create structures. To create structures, the hominids needed advanced tools. They were the first to create the pointed tip on hunting spears and harpoons, creating more complicated tools than the homo erectus, they could also control fire. In addition to making tools, these homo sapiens would make decorative items.

HOMO SAPIENS CRO-MAGNON

These hominids were clever enough to make tools to help them hunt like traps, and canoes or rafts for fishing. They also invented the bow and arrow. This made hunting from a distance possible. They also were able to hunt large animals, like woolly mammoths, and cave bears because of the types of tools they made. They used or made some sort of paint to use on their cave paintings. To build homes like the one below, the tools neede to be advanced.

HOMO SAPIENS SAPIENS

These hominids are the humans of modern day. Older variations of these humans were able to make hand axes and other stone tools similar to those and slaughter large animals like buffalo and hippos. They could weave reed baskets as well. They can make complex tools, just like guns.

CONCLUSION

Tools have evolved just as much as hominids have. Our tools went from primitive sticks and rocks, to advanced tools like the bow and arrow. Some of the earlier humans used tools that they found lying around, and we are constantly creating new and complex tools. Tools are helpful to all hominids, from banging a rock against a nut shell to open it up, to perfecting your aim with a bow and arrow.

PHOTO CREDITS

Ancient tools- slide 1 by: Carlos 1966 @ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Instrumental_Agricola_Bastida.jpg

Rock- slide 3 by: ? @ http://images.nbii.gov/R%20Femmer/D_high-res/17_Caribbean_saltpond_USVI_5.jpg

Homo erectus- slide 5 by: Frank Vincentz @ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bautzen_Gro%C3%9Fwelka_-_Sauriergarten_-_Homo_erectus_03_ies.jpg

Homo habilus tools- slide 4 by: “quapan” @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hinkelstone/1338213272/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Homo Sapiens structure- slide 8 by: “dynamosquito” @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/dynamosquito/2531512743/

Neanderthalensis tools- slide 6 by: “Interfase” @ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tools_from_Azikh_%28paleolith%29.JPG

PHOTO CREDITS

Tool- slide 2 by “Quapan” @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hinkelstone/1357630710/

Cro-Magnon- slide 7 by: Wally Gobetz @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/415498335/

Conclusion Tools- slide 9 by: ? @ http://www.stockvault.net/Tools_weapons_g51-Ancient_weapons_p662.html

BIBLIOGRAPHY“Who’s Who of Early Man” by: Mr. Donn @ http://earlyhumans.mrdonn.org/index.html

Tountant, Arnold and Doyle, Susan. Ancient worlds. Oxford University Press: Canada, 2000

“Homo Sapiens Neanderthalensis” by: ? @ https://www.msu.edu/~robin400/neanderthalensis.html

“Hominid Species” by: Jim Foley @ http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/species.html

“Homo Neanderthalensis” by: Smithsonian Instatution @ http://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-fossils/species/homo-neanderthalensis

“Cro-Magnon” @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cro-Magnon#Physical_attributes

“Homo Sapiens” @ http://www.ecotao.com/holism/hu_sap.htm