Early Humans Flashcards
What are the three main theories about the origins of humans?
Evolutionism, Creationism, Interventionism
What is the origin of the theory of evolution?
Suggested as early as the sixteenth century, given prominence by the English biologist Charles Darwin.
What are some key ideas about evolution?
The great variety of plant and animal life on Earth developed gradually through natural processes and natural selection. Began with the Big Bang Theory.
Who were two main people involved with the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin and John Scopes
What are some problems with evolution? [3]
- “missing link” between humans and apes
- Humans exhibit other traits that wouldn’t help with survival
- Not proven
What is the origin of creationism?
Virtually all religious communities have beliefs about the creation of humans and the world (Bible/Book of Genesis)
What are some key ideas about creationism?
Matter and all things were created (the same as they are now) by an all-powerful Creator.
Who are some key groups/people involved with creationism?
Fundamentalists (literal Genesis), and God/Writers of the Bible
What are some problems with creationism? [4]
- Where was the creator before they made the universe?
- Proof of other human-like species existing before humans -Disregards science
- No observable proof
What is the origin of interventionism?
Naturalist Wallace theorized a superior power intervened during the time of Home Erectus to turn it into a creature of physical and spiritual nature. Explains the rapid development of humans as some scientists say evolution is too gradual and slow to account for such a change.
What are some key ideas about interventionism?
Humans evolved to the Homo Erectus stage, and then a superior race changed them into humans.
Who are some key people involved with interventionism?
Albert Russel Wallace, Albert Einstein, and Jeffrey Goodman.
What are some problems with interventionism? [4]
- Who created the superior power?
- Why would they choose to intervene?
- Lack of evidence toward evolution is only evidence to support this theory
- No observable proof
What is the scientific study of the past as revealed by artifacts left by ancient people?
Archaeology
What is the study of past geologic periods especially known from fossil and bone remains?
Paleontology
In which two continents are most species of early man found?
Europe and Africa
The Paleolithic Age may also be called what?
The old stone age
What was the most significant defining characteristic of the paleolithic era?
The peoples relied on hunting and gathering for subsistence.
When did the Great Leap Forward begin?
Around 35,000 years ago
What was the Great Leap Forward?
A period when human evolution picked up considerably and our ancestors began to evolve at a much faster rate, and the time when modern anatomy began developing.
What are some significant changes that took place during the Great Leap Forward? [8]
Social organization, building huts, hunting groups, burying the dead, more sophisticated hunting techniques, rudimentary language, creating clothing from animal hides, and artistic and symbolic expression.
What traits were humans beginning to possess after the Great Leap Forward? [4]
Planning, presight, creativity, and abstract thinking.
What does neolithic mean?
New Stone Age
What was the Neolithic Revolution?
When people changed from hunter-gatherers to food producers.
What were some effects of the Neolithic Revolution? [6]
- Could form larger permanent settlements
- Allowed them to focus on things other than food production
- Began to develop skilled trades (pottery, sewing, metal-workers, carpenters, etc.)
- Marked the beginning of trade and new methods of transportation
- Permanent settlements brought organised governments (chief elected to take care of and protect area)
- Chiefs responsible for political and religious workings in settlement.
NAME: Altamira Caves “Bison”
LOCATION: Santander, Spain
TIME PERIOD: Paleolithic (14,000 - 12,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Shows proof of foresight and planning
- Developing fine motor skills (fine lines in painting)
- No people (putting more importance on animals), could believe if they paint bisons they’ll show up.
- Thought it could bring them good luck in hunting
NAME: Caves of Lascaux “Chinese Horse”
LOCATION: Dordogne, France
TIME PERIOD: Paleolithic (15,000 - 13,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Capable of depicting animals in different sizes and appearances.
- Large herd tells us there were a lot of those kind of animals, and they were of some importance to humans
- Possibly using horse as target practice, proof of foresight, sign of predestination.
NAME: Venus of Willendorf
LOCATION: Willendorf, Austria
TIME PERIOD: Paleolithic (28,000 - 23,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Represents womanhood/fertility
- Emphasis put on childbearing attributes (wide hips, enlarged stomach and breasts)
- Woman put in role of carrier of species
- When did men become more important than women?
NAME: Venus Figure Laussel
LOCATION: Dordogne, France
TIME PERIOD: Paleolithic (23,000 - 20,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- No face? Referencing women’s role in society as bearer of children and nothing else? Or fell off?
- Women holding (bison?) horn, shows people beginning to make things with other things
NAME: Five Warriors
LOCATION: Castallan, Spain
TIME PERIOD: Paleolithic (7,000 - 4,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Begin to differentiate between facial features
- Headresses/masks show different social standings
- Shows leadership, organization, ritual
- Tells us society’s becoming organized.
- Feathers could demonstrate success, seperate tribes, rank, age, etc.
NAME: Jericho Skull
LOCATION: Jericho, Middle East
TIME PERIOD: Neolithic (7,000 - 6,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Beginning of the monumental sculpture in the ancient Near East and the advent of the concept of individual portraits
- Starts showing specific facial features
- Shows a control of the environment
NAME: Catal Huyuk
LOCATION: Anatolian Plateau (Turkey)
TIME PERIOD: Neolithic (6,000 - 5,900 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Twelve successive building levels
- Tells us a lot about people living there, what they ate, how they lived, etc.
NAME: Seated Goddess
LOCATION: Catal Huyuk
TIME PERIOD: Neolithic (5,900 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Marking on arms could mean deity, ceremonial
- Face likely would have had more detail.
NAME: Stonehenge
LOCATION: Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, England
TIME PERIOD: Neolithic (2000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Widely thought to have been an observatory
- Why and how it was built is still unknown
NAME: Caves of Lascaux “Hall of the Bulls”
LOCATION: Dordogne, France
TIME PERIOD: Paleolithic (15,000 - 13,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Large herd tells us there are, there are a lot of them, and that they were of some importance to humans
- Humans capable of depicting animals in different sizes and appearances.
