State Features and Early Hominids

State Features

• A state requires population, territory, government, sovereignty, and recognition.

State Emergence Factors

• Early states were theocratic, ruled by priests who played central administrative roles.
• Wealthy elites rose in status.
• Village chiefs emerged, replacing priests as markets developed.
• Collecting tributes and maintaining village security became crucial roles.

Important Hominids

• Ardipithecus ramidus, the earliest hominid, was found in Ethiopia's Afar Regional State, dating back to 4.4 million years ago.
• Discovered by paleontologists led by Tim White.
• Australopithecus afarensis, discovered after Ardipithecus ramidus, was found by Donald Johanson in 1974 and is known as "Lucy".
• It is the oldest complete human skeleton discovered.

History and Historiography

• Prehistory existed before the invention of writing.
• History began after the invention of writing.
• Historiography studies how knowledge of the past is acquired and disseminated.
• Sources are crucial for understanding and writing history, including primary and secondary sources.
• Two opposing theories regarding human origins exist: Creationist and scientific.
• Stone tools were the earliest tools used.

Explore the defining characteristics of a state, including sovereignty, territory, and government. Understand the emergence of early hominids like Ardipithecus ramidus and Australopithecus afarensis, and how these discoveries shaped our understanding of human history.