Ucsp

• Evolution


  The physical transformation of modern humans from hominids into thinking modern humans or Homo sapiens
• Importance of studying evolution

  • Teaches the lesson of the past and guides us in studying our future
  • Influences one's culture and helps to explain the diversity of life
  • Helps us appreciate what we are experiencing nowadays
• Transformation of early humans


  From being nomadic to having a settled life
• Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution


  Made a strong impact on science and human societies, and paved the way for its practical application to improve our lives today
• The evolution theory states that all forms of life started from simple forms and transformed to complex ones.
• Hominids


  The group of primates that include modern humans
• Charles Darwin


  The naturalist and biologist known for his theory of evolution and the process of natural selection, called the Father of Evolution
• On the Origins of Species by Means of Natural Selection

  Charles Darwin's published work introducing the theory of evolution
• Principles of Natural Selection

  • Variation
  • Inheritance
  • Survival of the Fittest
• Cultural evolution


  The changes or development in cultures from a simple form to a more complex form of human culture
• The parts of the body that are used extensively become larger and stronger while those that are not often used deteriorate
• Inheritance of acquired characteristics means that individuals could pass acquired traits on to their offspring, enabling the species to change over time
• Early Hominins


  • Australopithecines
  • Homo habilis
  • Homo erectus
  • Homo Neanderthal
  • Homo sapiens
• Australopithecines


  • Bipedal
  • Brain was 1/3 size of modern humans
  • Lucy is part of this group, 300 individual fragments were found in Tanzania
• Homo erectus


  • Prominent brow ridges, retreating forehead
  • Angled rear skull
  • Larger brain size (1400cc)
  • Lived in shelters
  • Food gatherers
  • Ate plants and fruits
  • Hunted animals
  • Made more sophisticated and smoothened tools
  • First to develop and use oral language
• Homo Neanderthal


  • Robust cranial vault with a massive arched brow ridge
  • Limb bones were robustly built
  • Front teeth were larger than those of modern humans
  • Flattened cranial base
  • Mousterian Industry
• Homo habilis


  • Handy man
  • First maker of stone tools
  • Increased cranial capacity
  • Smaller molar and premolar teeth
  • Human-like foot
• The ability of early humans to adjust to wild climate fluctuations likely enabled them to diversify, differentiate, and spread out of Africa 1.85 million years ago
• Cranial


  The brain was important for making tools
• Teeth


  Were very essential during the early times not just for holding food, but also for hunting animals, fighting male rivals, and protecting from external factors
• Bipedal


  The most essential characteristic of hominids, allowing them to free their hands to make and use tools, stretch to get fruits, and stand vigilantly to see further
• The Philippines is also home to prehistoric humans whose culture is at par with counterparts from other parts of the world
• Tabon Man


  The oldest confirmed modern human in the Philippines, dating back to 16,500 years ago (14,000 BC), discovered in the Tabon Caves Complex in Palawan Island
• Homo Luzonensis


  A new species of hominin discovered in 2007 in Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan Valley, Philippines, believed to have lived around 50,000 to 67,000 years ago
• Prehistoric Periods


  • Paleolithic Period or Old Stone Age
  • Metal Age
  • Neolithic Period or New Stone Age
• Prehistoric Human Achievements


  • Used stones found in nature
  • Used tree branches, leaves, and stones for shelter
  • Produced fire by rubbing two stones together
  • Produced basic stone tools and stone art
  • Created durable products for self-expression
  • Produced small sculptures and large cave paintings and engravings
  • Used roughed stones for tools and weapons
  • Depended on nature for gathering food and hunting animals
  • Used polished and bladed stones
  • Started agriculture and established permanent villages
  • Domesticated animals
  • Moved out of caves and led a more sedentary lifestyle
  • Appeared crafts such as pottery and weaving
  • Built permanent homes
  • Began consciously producing metals
  • Used copper for jewelry and weapons
  • Combined copper, tin, and bronze to make more durable weapons
  • Invented the wheel and ox-drawn plow
  • Replaced bronze with iron for making weapons
• The discovery of making fire through rubbing stones together in order to cook food is really an act of survival during the time
• Fire was also used for performing rituals, as Christians view fire as a symbol of divinity
• Copper ax made during the Middle Copper Age
• Biocultural evolution


  Integration of biological anthropology and social/cultural anthropology
• Homo sapiens had the most developed brains and speech organs
• Language


  Essential instrument for communication and preserving/transferring culture
• Evolution


  Central unifying theory of biology that explains how living organisms are related and adapt to environments
• Variation


  • Differences in skin color, ability to metabolize alcohol, cholesterol levels
• If culture is not dynamic and adaptive, it will not fit current trends and might contradict society
• Iron Age


  Made many countries more technologically advanced, tasks like farming became easier
• Awareness of social, political, cultural events gives people knowledge and experiences to survive daily challenges
• Evolution of culture enabled dispersal of humans across earth, adaptation to biotic and physical situations, growth in population
• Society is organized, not only because of individuals who interact and share common interests, but also due to the prevailing interaction among them, their state of belongingness, and the ability to influence one another and work together to achieve common goals
• Social group


  A collection of people who interact with one another, share similar characteristics, and collectively have a sense of unity