Human Evolution and Prehistoric Eras

Hominization Process

The hominization process encompasses the evolutionary changes from a primate ancestor to the appearance of the first hominid species. This required a series of adaptations and modifications.

Prehistoric Eras

Paleolithic

The Paleolithic is a prehistoric stage characterized by the use of carved stone tools, although other materials were also used.

Neolithic

The Neolithic period began about 5,200 years ago, marked by the adoption of agricultural techniques, livestock, and pottery.

Bronze Age

The Bronze Age is the period of civilization which developed the metallurgy of bronze, resulting from a copper alloy.

Iron Age

The Iron Age is the stage in the development of a civilization in which the discovery and use of iron became widespread.

Prehistoric Art

Rupestrian Art

Rupestrian art includes prehistoric drawings and sketches found on rocks and in caves.

Portable Art

Portable art refers to human-made objects of limited size, intended to be transported.

Lifestyle and Economy

Nomadism

Nomadism is a lifestyle where a person or people do not have a fixed territory as a permanent residence but move frequently from place to place.

Sedentarization

Sedentarization is the process in which a human population ceases to be nomadic and settles permanently in a particular locality.

Barter

Barter is the earliest form of trade, performed through a single contract under which one party agrees to deliver goods or services in exchange for another set of goods or services.

Megalithic Structures

Megalithic

Megalithic refers to the production of architectural constructions with large blocks of hewn stone.

Dolmen

A dolmen is a megalithic funerary monument resembling a table, consisting of one or more slabs laid flat on two or more vertical stones.

Necropolis

A necropolis is a cemetery or burial place.

Five Phases of Hominization

1. Africa, between 4.5 and 2.5 million years ago: Hominids like Ardipithecus and Australopithecus were bipedal with a brain size of approximately 450 cm³.
2. Africa, between 2.5 and 1 million years ago: Homo habilis and Homo ergaster emerged, with brain sizes between 600 and 800 cm³, and used stone tools.
3. 1 million years to 250,000 years ago: Homo erectus and Homo antecessor used fire and had a brain size of approximately 1,000 cm³.
4. 250,000 years to 30,000 years ago: Homo neanderthalensis had a brain size of 1,500 cm³, used more sophisticated stone tools, and buried their dead in caves.
5. 100,000 years ago: Homo sapiens emerged with a brain size of approximately 1,350 cm³, using stone, wood tools, language, and bows.

Six Factors of Hominization

• Upright Posture: Changes in the physical skull, spine, and pelvis.
• Free Use of Hands: Bipedalism freed the hands to perform new functions.
• Brain Development: Brain size increased from 450 cm³ to 1,350 cm³.
• Language Development: Based on intelligence rather than just sounds.
• Cooperation and Partnership: Males hunted while females cared for offspring.
• Dietary Changes: Shift from vegetarianism to scavenging.