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Pre-Historic Humanity  I. Origin of human species

• A. Development of genus Homo - Paleolithic Era
  • 1. Homo sapiens
    • a. oldest skeletons 120,000 years old, in E. Africa
    • b. DNA evidence suggests earliest at least 200,000 years ago 
  • 2. The great migrations (late Paleolithic)
    • a. Humans begin to leave Africa in late Paleolithic, c.50,000 years ago
    • b. Human population very small - perhaps 40,000 people in 40,000 B.C.
    • b. highly specialized tools - microliths (such as needles)
    • c. spear throwers, bows
    • d. use of coal in some areas
    • e. cave paintings appear c. 30-35,000 years ago
    • f. clay figurines

II. Neolithic Era and the Agricultural Revolution

• A. Glacial maximum c.18,000 BC - last ice age ends c. 8,000 BC, brings climatic changes
• B four main characteristics of Agricultural Revolution
  • 1. cultivation of grain
  • 2. domestication of animals
  • 3. pottery making
  • 4. polished stone tools
• C. small settlements (less than 500) in Middle East, Asia Minor c. 8,000 BC
• D. Animist religion, prominence of fertility mother goddess; magic.
• E. Megalith monuments - often with celestial orientation