Glencoe World History © 2008

Chapter 1: The First Humans

Chapter Overviews

The first humans lived as nomads who focused on basic needs—food, shelter, and safety. Early humans left no written records. Without such records, archaeologists and anthropologists have had to rely on fossils, artifacts, and skeletal remains to develop theories about their lives. Researchers have concluded that the earliest humans lived as hunters and gatherers. Only millions of years later did they develop the skills and tools necessary to engage in agriculture and to build the first civilizations.

Section 1 Early Humans
Our knowledge of the earliest humans, or hominids, is based on discoveries of fossils and artifacts. Each new archaeological find helps scientists improve their theories about how prehistoric humans lived and died. Scientists believe the earliest hominids lived in Africa four million years ago. Over the next several million years, more advanced hominids appeared—first Homo habilis, then Homo erectus, and then Homo sapiens. From Homo sapiens, two subgroups emerged—first the Neanderthals and then Homo sapiens sapiens. All humans today belong to the subgroup Homo sapiens sapiens, which means "wise, wise human." During the Paleolithic Age (2,500,000 B.C. to 19,000 B.C.), humans invented stone tools that helped them become better hunters. Both men and women were responsible for finding food, thus scientists believe they were considered equals in society. Improved types of shelter and the use of fire allowed hominids to migrate from the tropics to colder climates. Fire was crucial to human survival, especially during the Ice Age. Discoveries of cave paintings from about 35,000 years ago show that art was part of the culture of the hunters and gatherers of the Paleolithic Age.

Section 2 The Neolithic Revolution
The Neolithic Revolution, the period of human history from 8000 B.C. to 4000 B.C., is marked by the rise of systematic agriculture—the domestication of animals and the growing of crops on a regular basis. The ability to farm gave rise to permanent settlements. Systematic agriculture often resulted in the production of more crops than local people could consume. This meant that some people became artisans instead of working in the fields. Their specialization of labor led to trade. During the last stages of the Neolithic Age, craftspeople discovered ways of making improved tools and weapons using copper. Mixing copper and tin resulted in a much stronger metal—bronze. The use of this metal marked the beginning of the Bronze Age, which lasted from 3000 B.C. to 1200 B.C. As cultures became more complex, civilizations developed. Large numbers of human beings began to share common elements, including cities, government, religion, social structure, writing, and art.