World History to 1500

World History to 1500

According to Bentley-Ziegler (2007 , archeological discoveries of the bones and tools of the human ancestors dated five (5 ) million years ago gave light on the evolution of human species . The first group of specie is the hominid : includes Australopithecus , Australopithecines and Homo erectus . Then , it was followed by the Homo sapiens (p . 14-15

The first was the Australopithecus , which means southern ape but they were not ape but a hominid belonging to the family of Hominidae - human and humanlike species . Archaeologist described them as short , hairy , and

had limited intelligence . They were approximately three (3 ) feet tall about 25 to 55 kilograms , and of about 500 cubic centimeters brain size Famous of this group was Lucy , a woman who died 3 .5 million years ago and was excavated 40 of her body last 1974 (Bentley-Ziegler , 2007 ,

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The second was the Australopithecines , described as sophisticated species , walked upright on two legs , with strong hands used to handle tools and perform tasks , and had learned limitedly to express their self verbally . They traveled a lot in search of stones that they could style and use for food preparation : choppers and scrapers . About one (1 million years ago , this group disappeared and was replaced by new hominid specie - the Homo erectus (p .15

The Homo erectus , upright walking man , had a more developed brain which measured of about 1 ,000 cc average capacity . This group lasted from about two (2 ) million to 200 ,000 years ago . Aside from the Australopithecines tools , Homo erectus also used cleavers and hand axes which were also useful against predators . The invention of fire could also be regarded to this group which enabled them to eat cooked foods and defend their selves . Dangerous animals ' bones found within their sites showed their team work , cooperation and skills in hunting these animals , made possible by their intelligence and language skills (pp 16-17

Then , the Homo sapiens , consciously thinking human , replaced the previous group of specie . This group possessed the largest brain size compared to the previous groups and was nearly the size of the modern human brains . This could be the reason of their remarkable intelligence that helped them to adapt in the changing environment . They made clothes out of animal skin and build shelters to protect them from the cold climate . By one hundred thousand years ago , they disseminated throughout Africa , Europe and Asia where they also met the other Homo erectus . By about , fifteen thousand years ago , they were already scattered in all regions of the world . Archeologist excavated new tolls used by the Homo sapiens : knives , spears , bows and arrow . Like the Homo erectus , Homo sapiens protected themselves with animal skins and fire against the cold climate . They also learned languages to express their selves to others Because of language , tools and superior intelligence , they were united to exploit the natural resources in to survive . As a result , large mammals became extinct : mammoths , woolly rhinoceros , giant kangaroos mastodons , and horses...