Beginning of Early Humans and the Stone Age

Beginning of Early Humans

• The Earth is approximately 4.54 billion years old.
• The evolution of humans began about 7 million years ago.
• The Prehistoric Period, which spans from 2.5 million years ago to 1200 B.C., is divided into three archaeological periods: Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.

Stone Age

• The Stone Age, lasting almost 3 million years, witnessed the use of stone tools and implements.
• This era marked the transition from hunting and gathering to farming and food production.
• Early humans coexisted with extinct hominins, including Neanderthals and Denisovans.
• The Stone Age is further subdivided into three periods: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic.
  • The Paleolithic Period, known for its primitive stone tools, is the longest of the three.
  • The Mesolithic Period represents the middle period.
  • The Neolithic Period saw the development of more refined and sophisticated stone tools, coinciding with the onset of temperate climates that facilitated agriculture.
• The later part of the Stone Age witnessed the development of settlements and civilizations.

Neanderthals

• Neanderthals evolved in Europe and Asia.
• Neanderthals were known for their refined stone technology and the first bone tools.
• Possible factors contributing to Neanderthal extinction include competition with humans for resources, natural selection favoring human traits, and climate change.

Homo Erectus

• Homo Erectus, the first hominins adapted for long-distance walking, migrated from Africa to western Asia, eastern Asia, and Indonesia.
• The use of fire was significant during this period.

Hunter-Gatherer Lifestyle

• Humans during the Paleolithic period relied on hunting and gathering for sustenance.
• They lived in caves, simple huts, or tepees.
• They employed basic stone and bone tools for hunting and utilized fire for cooking.

Venus Figurines

• Venus figurines, often depicted as exaggerated female figures with emphasized breasts, hips, and stomachs, are thought to be fertility symbols.
• The carvings, typically made from mammoth tusk, bone, teeth, and stone, may have served as amulets to protect women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Cave Art

• Cave paintings, dating back to 80,000 years ago, often depict symbolic rather than realistic images.
• The purpose of cave art is believed to be related to ritualistic or magical practices.
• Notable cave paintings include:
  • Chauvet Cave in France, featuring diverse animal depictions.
  • Lascaux Caves in France, showcasing the iconic "Hall of Bulls."
  • Altamira in Spain, with its impressive bison paintings.
  • Cave paintings in Argentina and California demonstrate the global occurrence of this art form.

End of the Stone Age

• The Stone Age ended with the beginning of the The Holocene epoch is the current geological epoch, which began approximately 11,700 years ago after the last major Ice Age. It is characterized by a warming climate and significant changes in Earth's environment, leading to the development of human civilizations. Global sea levels have risen, and various ecosystems have evolved and adapted during this time. The Holocene is marked by human impact on the planet, including agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization, which have collectively transformed landscapes and influenced climate patterns. about 11,700 years ago (around 9700 BCE).