Unit 5: Human Biocultural and Societal Evolution

• Evolution


  The process of developing physical and biological change in a species over a period of time
• Modern humans


  Belonging to the genus Homo, considered byproducts of events and processes that occurred in the past
• Transition from Early to Modern Humans

  1. Biological transition of humans from its earliest state to its current physical and biological makeup took millions of years to complete

  2. Scientists identified and distinguished distinct transitional stages of human evolution through archaeological evidence and modern technology
• Homo habilis "Handy Man" (2.5 – 1.4 million years ago)

  
  

  Distinct Features:

  • developed bipedalism or the ability to walk upright
  • brain size was estimated to be 35% larger than the Australopithecus africanus
  • had smaller teeth compared to australopithecines
  • diet included a variety of plants and meat

  
  

  • One of the earliest species of the genus Homo
  • Had more distinct human features than the Australopithecines
  • Still bore apelike features
  • Given the nickname "handyman" upon discovery in 1960 as it was believed to be one of the first users of stone tools
• Homo erectus "Upright Man"(1.9 million years ago)

  • Believed to have lived in Africa and parts of Europe or Asia
  • Was already able to stand on two feet (bipedalism)
  • Full development of bipedalism peaked through the Homo erectus, thus gaining the nickname "the upright man"
  • Credited as the species that learned how to control fire
  • Fossil remains found in Africa, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Europe suggest the Homo erectus became extinct some 200,000 years ago
• Homo sapiens"Wise Man" (400,000 years ago to present)

  
  

  Distinct Features:

  • characterized by a high forehead, small teeth and jaw, and a defined chin
  • average brain capacity of 82 cubic inches
  • constructed and used tools for survival
  • developed a symbolic communication system

  
  

  • The species which all present human beings belong
  • The name was coined from Carolus Linnaeus' extensive studies on taxonomy
  • Based on Linnaeus' studies, the species' physical developments were closer to the biological characteristics of current humans than of apes.
• Artefactual evidence

  • The only source of knowledge in understanding the lifestyle and developments that occurred in each transitional stage of human evolution
  • Includes fossils, tools used for hunting and gathering, and symbolic writing found in caves
  • Used by scientists to study the structure, shape, and development of skeletal properties including head shape and teeth to determine biological differences across early to modern species
• Cultural evolution is learned behavior passed on from one generation to another
• Tools and artifacts used by early humans

  • Understanding their development could also make us understand human lifestyle in the early hominin periods
  • Primitive human species shifted from the use of stone tools to the use of metal tools, implying a paradigm shift in social lifestyle
• Hunting and gathering

  • A social process requiring cooperation among early humans to successfully gather enough food and commodities for the group
  • Division of labor became a prominent means of survival, with males and females both having roles to take
• Paleolithic period


  Involved humans as hunter-gatherers in society, nomadic people who transferred from one area to another to hunt animals or gather plants for consumption and survival
• Neolithic Revolution


  Around 12,000 B.C., humans started to domesticate animals and crops, transitioning from being hunter-gatherers or nomads to becoming farmers through domestication, the process of increasing human control in breeding animals or plants to regulate certain traits that will make them useful for other human needs
• Implications of the Neolithic Revolution

  • Social implications:
  • Paved the way for the creation of civilization through permanent settlements dictated by reliable food supply
  • Development of domestication techniques and practices allowed for a more complex society and the possibility for urbanization
  • A form of social stratification was developed
  • Economic implications:
  • Abundant supply of food and resources was maintained due to domestication of crops and animals
  • Introduction of a selective breeding process of crops and animals that would allow for the development of new species
  • Human implications:
  • Increase in human population and life span across civilizations
  • People learned to play different social roles apart from being farmers (e.g., craftsman, priests, leader)
• The Philippines is a democratic country
• Artifacts are objects made or modified by humans in the past. They are recovered after a long time through archaeological endeavor or by chance.
• Manunggul Jar is one of the Philippine artifacts believed to be the vessel of the dead to the afterlife. The Manunggul jar's lid is made up of three symbols (soul, boat, and boat driver) that symbolize the journey into the afterlife. This jar contains a depiction of the balangay.
• The Code of Hammurabi consisted of 282 laws and was considered as the supreme law of the land.
• This Code was made for Mesopotamians. It provided an overview of law and politics in the ancient world

  Code of Hammurabi
• A social process requiring cooperation among early humans to successfully gather enough food and commodities for the group

  hunting and gathering
• the most well-known theory on human biological development is Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

  
  

  proposed that the current human race spurred from a line of primates that evolved through “survival of the fittest,” wherein primitive species competed among each other for survival.
• Evolution

  The process of developing physical and biological change in a species over a period of time.
• Australopithecus


  The earlier form of humans before the development of the genus Homo.
• On the Origin of Species


  Charles Darwin’s most significant and iconic work.
• Lower Paleolithic Period (3million Years ago)

  • Included the Oldowan hominins who used flakes and stones.
  • The Homo habilis developed the earliest stone tools.
  • The development of Acheulian tools (such as hand ax) took place during the time of the Homo Erectus.
• Middle Paleolithic Period (120,000 years ago)

  • There were more developed stone tools.
  • Homo neanderthalensis were prominent users of stone tools.
  • The period is characterized by Mousterian tools that are known for their sharp edges.
• Upper Paleolithic Period (35,000 years ago)

  • Tools were decorated with more intrinsic designs.
  • This period is associated with the emergence of Cro-Magnon Homo sapiens.
  • Tools included sticks, sharp blades, harpoons, and spearheads made with the ‘punch blade’ technique.
• Mesolithic Period (12,000 years ago)

  • Smaller and finer tools were used.
  • Blades were incorporated in wood or bone.
  • There was evidence of trading between groups to gather materials for tools.
• Neolithic Period (10,000 years ago)

  • This period was characterized by the domestication of crops.
  • The period cemented trading practices and opened new doors for the development of new tools.
  • This period officially ended hunting-gathering practices.