Naturalist Perspective on Evolution

Naturalist Perspective

• Naturalists use science to explain the creation of organisms
• Charles Darwin stated that all organisms undergo evolution in his 1859 book "On the Origin of Species."
• Darwin's 1871 book "The Descent of Man" theorizes human evolution over eons
• Archeological discoveries provided artifacts which support the theory of evolution

Hominization

• Hominization marks the beginning of human history
• Hominization is the evolutionary development of human characteristics distinguishing hominids (Homo genus) from primate ancestors
• This stage marks the first signs of human achievement

Hominid/Australopithecus

• These are known to be bipedal
• Beings in the genus Homo have expanded brains, enlarged bodies, less sexual dimorphism, and narrower limb proportions
• Reduced size of cheek, teeth, and crania are also characteristics

Homo Rudolfensis

• Richard and Meave Leakey discovered this species in Kenya in 1972
• Their molar and premolar teeth resemble their predecessor

Homo Habilis

• First relics of tools have been discovered

Homo Erectus

• Java Man, discovered in Java, Indonesia, represents this species
• This species is considered crucial in defining human evolution
• Hunting skills and the discovery of fire are attributed to them

Homo Neanderthalensis

• This species walked erect, had large crania, and lived in Africa and Asia
• Compared to modern humans, they were more primitive
• Known for burying their dead

Homo Sapiens Sapiens

• This is the species of modern humans
• They have smaller faces, lighter skulls with more brain capacity, and straighter limbs

Human abilities

• Believed to be the first species to alter their environment and utilize resources.
• Tabon Man and Callao Man are Homo sapiens species discovered in the Philippines
• Considered "the golden era of genus"

Humanization

• Humanization refers to improving everyday life through innovation, discovery, enhanced routines, and creating systems

Language

• Language enabled cooperation, leading to social organization

Technological Period

• Understanding human cultural development requires examining material and technological advancements across different historical periods

Paleolithic Age

• "Paleolithic" derives from Greek words "palaeo" (old) and "lithic" (stone), signifying the Old Stone Period
• This is considered the earliest stage of human development, from about 2.5 million to 10,000 years ago
• Lower and Middle Paleolithic: Characterized by rough, unpolished stones
• Upper Paleolithic: Saw the use of new materials like man-made clay/bone mixtures
• Inventions like spear-throwers, bows and arrows, and barbed harpoons emerged
• Notable for Art and Land Bridges

Neolithic Age

• "Neolithic" comes from the Greek words "neo" (new) and "lithic" (stone)
• Neolithic culture forms the basis of civilization, involving radical transformations in human behavior and organization, or "revolution"
• Agriculture began

Jericho

• Jericho in Jordan is one of the oldest excavated towns
• Believed to have existed around 8000 BCE, it was built near a natural spring for agriculture
• Massive stone walls protected 2000 townspeople
• The town featured small, circular mud-brick houses
• Jericho was believed to have been destroyed by an earthquake in 7000 BCE

Copper Age

• Besides Jericho, other towns existed after prehistoric times during the Copper Age, including Çatalhöyük in Turkey
• Around 6000 BCE, approximately 5,000 people lived in Çatalhöyük
• The townspeople were the first to make linen cloth
• Their houses were painted with vultures and headless men, and decorated with plaster bulls' heads and mother goddess statuettes

Fertile Crescent

• Another civilization, started by the Sumerians, flourished in the fertile plain between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
• This area became Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), or "the land between two rivers"
• Social and Patriarchal Divisions were emerging

Bronze Age

• Sumerians learned to smelt metal and make bronze
• Sailing was discovered
• The plow for farming was invented
• The first recorded form of writing, cuneiform, originated

Iron Age

• Cuneiform originated
• Egyptians also had their own form of writing

Developments

• Greeks began using shadow clocks, holding Olympic games, and developing philosophy and science
• Glass vessels were used in Egypt and Mesopotamian city-states

Alphabet

• Phoenicians developed the alphabet, which spread in Mesopotamia and neighboring city-states
• They also introduced purple dye to their trading partners

Rome

• The city of Rome was founded in the northwestern part of Mesopotamia

Concepts that would evolve

• Warfare
• Democratization