Prologue
The universe began in an immense eruption of power and heat which then created matter, energy, gravity, electromagnetism, and "strong"/"weak" forces of atomic nuclei. According to the cosmic calendar, the Big Bang occurred January 1 around 13.7 billion years ago - and then the stars and galaxies followed at the end of January to mid-February. In contemplating the cosmic history, questions were prompted in religious and philosophical aspects regarding the meaning of human life. In addition, because the universe is so tremendous and mysterious, our human consciousness often feel amazed and are in awe of just how incredible creation and human life can be. Because of our uniqueness as humans, our capacity to gain knowledge and learn certain skills has helped in our growth and development as people. We have the ability to communicate with each other through different languages, actions, and customs; and as we get to know each other in these ways, we can pass it on to future generations. The history of humankind also stemmed from the Paleolithic era, agricultural era, and the modern industrial era. During the paleolithic era, gathering and hunting were skills that were prominent to learn and attain. It settled every major landmass and constructed the first human societies. With the agricultural era, the cultivation of plants and animals became the primary sources of sustaining human life and societies. As for the modern industrial era, when the Industrial Revolution began, the increase in productivity, wealth, and human control over nature paved way to new societies we call "modern." Change, comparison, and connection operate on a global scale. Because of change, we are able to see how much we have developed as a species. The changes that happened around us and to us over time have led us to what we are today. Comparison allows us to see the differences in other cultures. We are able to see and compare how other cultures operate and live out their lives. The connection we have as human beings bind us together. In many ways, despite having different cultures and customs, we have grown together. Just because we are not all the same, does not mean we cannot relate to one another.
Intro to Part One
The evolution of homo sapiens came from chimpanzees about 5-6 million years ago in eastern and southern Africa. And in these areas, 20-30 (Hominid) family of human-like creatures emerged. Around 2.3 million years ago, homo habilis species began to make/use simple stone tools. And around 1 million years ago, homo erectus species began migrating out of Africa and their remains have been found in different parts of Eurasia. Eventually, these species die out except for the homo sapiens. Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa and onto the Eurasian landmass, then Australia, and then the Western Hemisphere. The Paleolithic era represents 95% of the time that human beings have inhabited the earth even though only 12% only accounts for the total number of people who have lived on the planet. Homo sapiens colonized the world because they made homes for themselves in different parts of the world - exposing themselves to new environments and climates. In regards to farming and herding, human communities in parts of Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Americas started the laborious process of domesticating animals and selecting seeds to be planted. Although the agricultural era was far shorter than the paleolithic era, farming and raising animals helped increase the number/population of humans. Some agricultural peoples relied on root crops, and others on tree crops. there were only a few large animals that could be tamed. So there were no goats, sheep, pigs, horses, camel, or cattle. Several thousand years after the beginning of agriculture, the first cities and states rose around 3500 B.C.E; but a number of people still lived in communities without state or urban structures. People who lived in state-and-city based civilizations have constituted dominant and inventive communities. From the rise of empires, enduring cultural and religious traditions, new technology, class and gender inequalities, and new conceptions of masculinity and femininity, civilizations have been an integral part of our success as communities all over the world.
Ch. 1 (First Peoples) Sect. - Out of Africa & The Ways We Were
Over the centuries, human beings have been successful in adapting to numerous and environments without the benefit of deliberate farming and animal husbandry. Our early ancestors thrived by gathering wild berries, nuts, roots, and grain; and by scavenging dead animals and hunting the ones that were still alive. In Africa, where no hominids have lived before, human beings inhabited new in environments within Africa. Tools like stone blades were use for hunting and fishing. Evidence such as use of body ornaments, beads, and pigments suggest the social and symbolic behavior that has portrayed human behavior ever since. In Eurasia, female figurines were uncovered in 2008 in Germany and were dated to 35,000 years ago. This raises questions on what roles and status women had in Paleolithic societies. In 1778, Australia's population was estimated at around 300,000 when the first Europeans arrived. Then over tens of thousands of years, they developed 250 languages and collected numerous types of food and other items. They also developed Dreamtime - which recounted the beginning of things. It also reflects on how migration, communication, and exchange intertwined the Paleolithic peoples. In the Americas, around 13 years ago, the Clovis culture prospered. The Clovis people camped around various areas in North America. But, this culture disappeared around the same time many large animals became extinct. The people learned to adapt in deserts, lakes and rivers, and on the Great Plains to gather and hunt food. In the Pacific, as men and women both migrated to colonize new lands, the creation of societies and chiefdoms happened. Chiefs in Hawaii ruled over the commoners and the extinction of many species of animals caused deforestation, famine, violence, and a decline in population around the Easter Island. Since archaeologists have uncovered evidence that suggest different ways of how the Paleolithic people lived, there is certainly proof of them developing their own history, culture, language, and identities. The Paleolithic people and evidence uncovered during that period of time shows just how much societies and cultures around the world have developed from thousands and thousands of years ago.
