Science and Technology in Prehistoric Times
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following hominid species was the first to migrate out of Africa?

  • Neanderthals
  • Homo erectus (correct)
  • Cro-Magnons
  • Homo sapiens

Which of the following hominid species is known to have used boats during their migration?

  • Neanderthals
  • Homo erectus
  • Homo habilis
  • Homo sapiens (correct)

Which of the following hominid species are known to have developed religious beliefs and performed rituals?

  • Cro-Magnons
  • Homo sapiens
  • Neanderthals (correct)
  • Homo erectus

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Cro-Magnons?

<p>Developed religious beliefs and performed rituals (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following facilitated the migration of hominids out of Africa?

<p>Land bridges formed during cold cycles (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of early humans living in unstable environments?

<p>They evolved behaviors to adapt to survival challenges. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hominid species is known to have fashioned stone blades and scrapers?

<p>Neanderthals (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary source of information regarding the evolution of hominids?

<p>Fossil records and archeological evidence (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental tool tradition listed?

<p>Microlith Tool Tradition (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the Blade Tool Tradition?

<p>Used as knives and scrapers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text states that the Flake Tool Tradition is a fundamental tool tradition. What does this imply?

<p>This tool tradition was developed early in human history and was widely used. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the Oldowan core technology?

<p>Associated with the Late gracile hominins. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of digging sticks and probes, according to the text?

<p>Hunting and gathering. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, where did the first handaxes likely originate?

<p>Africa. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The text refers to the 'Emergence of other technologies.' What is one example of such a technology mentioned?

<p>Digging sticks/probes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hominin group is associated with the earlier Stone Age/Lower Paleolithic period?

<p>Late gracile hominins. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant achievements are categorized under man's advancement in science?

<p>Discovery and Invention (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the prehistoric period considered difficult to study?

<p>Limited existence of writing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method do archaeologists use to study prehistoric human activity?

<p>Traces left at archaeological sites (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines hominids in relation to hominins?

<p>Includes modern humans and all Great Apes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What material did early hominids notably use to sharpen objects?

<p>Silicon rocks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do anthropologists focus on when studying past cultures?

<p>Cultural aspects through artifacts (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of early hominids' development is highlighted in their ability to use hands?

<p>Mastery of tool-making techniques (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which group consists of all modern humans and their immediate ancestors?

<p>Hominins (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which materials were primarily used for creating the earliest stone tools?

<p>Flint and chert (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of tool tradition is characterized by simple, flaked tools like choppers and scrapers?

<p>Oldowan toolkit (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During the Paleolithic Age, which animal was commonly hunted?

<p>Woolly mammoths (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In addition to stone tools, which other material was used for making ground stone tools?

<p>Basalt and sandstone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant skill did early humans develop that aided in cooking and hunting?

<p>Controlled fire (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What form of artistic expression did early human ancestors engage in?

<p>Cave paintings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options describes the Oldowan toolkit?

<p>The earliest universally acknowledged stone tool (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the first stone tools likely created from?

<p>Naturally broken, sharp-edged rocks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinct physical characteristic did Homo erectus have compared to earlier hominids?

<p>Elongated legs and shorter arms (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant food sources were speculated to be consumed by Homo erectus?

<p>Honey and underground tubers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During which time period did Homo heidelbergensis exist?

<p>700,000 – 200,000 years ago (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following adaptations is believed to have helped Homo heidelbergensis survive in colder climates?

<p>Wide bodies to conserve heat (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What notable technological advancements are associated with Homo heidelbergensis?

<p>Control of fire and use of wooden spears (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant evidence first emerged during the time range of Homo erectus?

<p>The use of hearths or campfires (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What physical traits did Homo heidelbergensis have compared to older early human species?

<p>Larger braincase and flatter face (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which species is considered to have the first modern human-like body proportions?

<p>Homo ergaster (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hominid species is associated with the earliest evidence of controlled use of fire?

<p>Homo erectus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate timeframe for the initial dispersal of Homo erectus from Africa to Eurasia?

<p>1.7 million years ago (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the Middle Stone Age / Middle Paleolithic period?

<p>The use of prepared cores and retouched flake tools (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which hominid species is associated with the emergence of cumulative culture?

<p>Homo sapiens (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate timeframe for the emergence of anatomically modern Homo sapiens?

<p>300,000 years ago (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an example of 'precocious' artifacts found during the Middle Stone Age?

<p>Jewelry and beads (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following hominid species is NOT mentioned in the provided content as having originated in Africa?

<p>Neanderthals (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of the Middle Stone Age / Middle Paleolithic?

<p>Use of fire (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Invention

The creation of something new, usually through a process of design and experimentation.

Discovery

The act of finding or uncovering something that already exists, often through exploration or investigation.

Prehistory

The period of human history before the invention of writing, which is roughly 5,000 years ago.

Archaeology

The study of the past through the examination of artifacts and other physical evidence.

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Timeline of Early Hominids

A timeline of early human ancestors, specifically focusing on the evolution of the human species.

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Hominids

A group of extinct and modern apes that includes modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, as well as their immediate ancestors.

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Hominins

A subset of hominids that exclusively includes modern humans, extinct human species, and our immediate ancestors.

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Sharpening Objects with Silicon Rocks

The use of silicon rocks to sharpen objects, demonstrating early human ingenuity.

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Early Hominids

Early human ancestors who lived in Africa and evolved to survive in unstable environments.

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Out of Africa

The process of humans migrating out of Africa to other parts of the world.

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Homo erectus

A species of early humans known for their advanced stone tools and use of spoken language.

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Neanderthals

A group of Homo sapiens who lived in Europe and Asia. They were known for their advanced stone tools and possible religious beliefs.

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Cro-Magnons

A group of Homo sapiens who migrated from North Africa to Europe and Asia. They thrived due to their advanced tools and hunting strategies.

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Survival Strategies

The ability to use tools and develop complex behaviors to adapt to changing environments.

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Spoken Language

The use of language to communicate and share complex ideas.

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Religious Beliefs

The belief in spiritual or supernatural forces, evidenced by rituals and practices.

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Homo ergaster

Homo erectus fossils found in Africa are sometimes categorized as Homo ergaster. These early humans possessed the distinguishing features of Homo erectus, like long legs and a modern human-like body.

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Earliest hearths

The earliest evidence of hearths (campfires) dates back to the time of Homo erectus, indicating their mastery of fire.

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Homo heidelbergensis

Homo heidelbergensis, another early human species, existed from 700,000 to 200,000 years ago. They had a large browridge, a larger braincase, and a flatter face compared to earlier species. This species was the first to adapt to colder climates and was known for hunting large animals, building shelters, and using wooden spears.

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Wooden spears

Homo heidelbergensis was the first to use wooden spears for hunting large animals, showcasing their advanced tool use and hunting skills.

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Adaptation to colder climates

Homo heidelbergensis lived in colder climates, showcasing their adaptation to different environments. Their wider bodies likely helped conserve heat.

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Building shelters

Building shelters from wood and rock is a feature associated with Homo heidelbergensis. These simple dwellings provided protection and comfort in varied environments.

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Hunting large animals

Homo heidelbergensis was the first species to routinely hunt large animals, demonstrating their hunting strategies and food sources.

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What is the Oldowan toolkit?

The oldest recognized stone tool tradition, characterized by simple, flaked tools like choppers, scrapers, and cutting instruments.

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What were Paleolithic tools made of?

Stone tools, including flakes, blades, and weapons, made from materials like flint, chert, basalt, and sandstone.

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How were Paleolithic tools created?

These tools were created by chipping and shaping stone materials, using techniques like flaking and grinding.

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What were Paleolithic tools used for?

Paleolithic humans used tools for hunting animals, collecting food, and crafting.

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What did early humans use tools to hunt?

Early humans used tools for hunting birds and animals, including large game like woolly mammoths and bisons.

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What were the most popular materials for making Paleolithic tools?

Flint and chert were particularly prized for their sharp edges and ability to be shaped effectively.

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Did early humans use materials other than stone for tools?

Along with stone tools, humans also used wood, bone, shell, and antlers for various purposes.

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What was a key advancement for Paleolithic humans?

The use of fire was a significant advancement, allowing for cooking, warmth, and protection.

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Bifacial handaxe

A type of stone tool characterized by its bifacial (both sides) design, often with a pointed or rounded tip and a flat edge.

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Flake tool tradition

A type of stone tool tradition where tools are made by striking a stone core with a hammerstone, producing flakes (sharp pieces of stone) that can be used as tools.

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Blade tool tradition

A type of stone tool tradition where tools are made from long, narrow flakes of stone called blades.

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Handaxe tool tradition

A tool tradition that relies on the use of handaxes and other bifacial tools, typically made of stone.

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Paleolithic period

The period in human history characterized by the use of stone tools, spanning from 2.6 million years ago to around 10,000 BC.

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Lithic technology

A type of technology used in the Paleolithic period that involved using stone to create tools.

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Geographic range

The geographic area where a particular species or technology originates.

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Adaptations

The process of adapting to a new environment or way of life.

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Stone Age

A period of human history marked by the use of stone tools, spanning from around 3.3 million years ago to the development of metal tools.

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Paleolithic

The earliest phase of the Stone Age, characterized by the use of simple, unrefined stone tools, dated to approximately 3.3 million years ago.

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Middle Paleolithic

The middle phase of the Stone Age, marked by the development of more sophisticated stone tools, including prepared cores and retouched flakes, dating back to around 300,000 years ago.

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Handaxe

A type of stone tool characterized by its distinctive symmetrical, teardrop shape, used for a variety of purposes, including cutting, scraping, and chopping.

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Initial dispersal

A term used to describe the early stages of human expansion out of Africa, beginning around 2.6 million years ago, with populations of Homo erectus spreading to Eurasia.

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Emergence of Homo sapiens

A term used to describe the evolution of early humans, leading to the emergence of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) approximately 300,000 years ago.

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Archaic Homo sapiens

A type of early human species that lived in Africa and Eurasia between approximately 500,000 and 200,000 years ago, often considered to be a direct ancestor of modern humans.

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Study Notes

Evidence of Science and Technology in Prehistoric Times

  • Prehistoric times are a period of human history before written records.
  • Much of the human story is a mystery as writing has existed for only about 5,000 years.
  • Archaeologists study sites where people left traces to date and analyze objects.
  • Anthropologists study culture, knowledge, art, customs through artifacts.

Categorizing Human Achievement in Science

  • Man's achievements in science and technology can be categorized into two parts: discovery and invention.

Difficulties in Studying Prehistory

  • Much of the human story is unknown because writing is relatively recent.
  • Archaeology studies human traces from ancient sites.
  • Archeologists use various methods to date and analyze artifacts.
  • Anthropologists examine cultural, artistic, and customary artifacts.

Early Proto-Humans (Hominids)

  • Hominids sharpened objects with stones.
  • Humans began mastering the use of their hands and fingers.
  • Hominids are the ancestors of modern and extinct Great Apes.
  • Hominins include humans and their immediate ancestors.

Hominid Species

  • Australopithecus afarensis: Lived 3.85-2.95 million years ago in Ethiopia and Tanzania. Had ape-like faces, small braincases, long arms, and strong fingers, adapted to climbing. Mainly ate plants.
  • Australopithecus africanus: Lived 3.3-2.1 million years ago. Had a rounded cranium (bigger brain) and smaller teeth than A. afarensis. They had rounder craniums, smaller teeth, a sloping face and pronounced jaw. Walked bipedally but could also climb.
  • Homo habilis: Lived 2.4-1.4 million years ago. Nicknamed "handyman" for their ability to make tools. Had a slightly bigger braincase and smaller face and teeth than earlier hominins. Retained ape-like features (long arms and face). Ate a variety of foods, including tough leaves and woody plants.
  • Homo rudolfensis: Lived 1.9-1.8 million years ago in the Koobi Fora region of Kenya. Had a larger braincase (775 cubic centimeters) than H. habilis, longer face, and larger molar and premolar teeth.
  • Homo erectus: Lived 1.89 million years ago to 110,000 years ago. Possessed modern human-like body proportions with relatively lengthened legs and shorter arms than body size. It ate meat, protein, honey, and underground tubers; and the earliest evidence of hearths.
  • Homo heidelbergensis: Lived 700,000-200,000 years ago. Featured a large browridge and a larger braincase compared to earlier human species. Wide bodies likely adapted to cold climates. Used wooden spears, first to regularly hunt large animals and built simple shelters.
  • Homo neanderthalensis: Lived 400,000-40,000 years ago. Closest extinct relative to modern humans; had large middle part of face, angled cheekbones, a huge nose (for warming and humidifying air), stockier bodies, and large brains similar to, or larger than, modern humans. Skilled toolmakers, controllers of fire, skilled hunters.
  • Homo sapiens: Lived 300,000 years ago to present. Modern humans, belong to the same species. During a time of dramatic climate change in Africa. Gathered and hunted food and evolved behaviours that helped with challenges of survival in a changing environment.

Out of Africa Migration

  • Hominids migrated out of Africa during periods of climate change, primarily via land bridges.
  • Homo erectus was the first hominid to migrate.
  • Homo sapiens migrated around 100,000 years ago (some possibly by boats).

Three-Age System

  • Stone Age: Man was primarily a food gatherer and hunter, living in caves or huts. Tools developed from basic to specialized.
  • Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE): marked by the rise of states, kingdoms; interactions through trade, warfare and migration; technological advances like writing, ox-drawn plows, and the wheel.
  • Iron Age (1200-600 BCE): marked by tool-making material of iron, though tools made of bronze, wood, bone were still used. Development of crafts, trading, agriculture.

Early Human Migration

  • Early humans migrated around the world over a period of at least 1.6 million years ago through land bridges and other routes.

Neolithic (New Stone Age)

  • Tools and weaponry were refined, and hunting, gathering and agriculture were perfected.
  • Agriculture radically impacted human settlements and their lives.
  • Development of agriculture enabled population to rise and led to a sedentary lifestyle.

The Dawn of the First Civilizations

  • People discovered, learned, and developed science and technology. Their motivation was practical need and curiosity and search for food and sustenance.

Further Details (Pottery, Textiles, Neolithic Crops)

  • Pottery arose from the need for storage technologies.
  • Neolithic humans independently developed agriculture; several grains, cereals, vegetables, fruits and domesticated animals.
  • Development of textiles followed the need for clothing and storage.

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