The BeginningThe Beginning

an introduction to ancient and an introduction to ancient and medieval historymedieval history

THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSETHE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE

Three major theoriesThree major theories1.1. The Genesis AccountThe Genesis Account

2.2. Creationism with EvolutionCreationism with Evolution

3.3. Evolutionary TheoryEvolutionary Theory

The Genesis AccountThe Genesis Account

Belief that life on Earth began about 6000 years Belief that life on Earth began about 6000 years ago.ago.

Account from the book of Account from the book of Genesis Genesis from the from the Christian Bible or the Jewish Pentateuch (Old Christian Bible or the Jewish Pentateuch (Old Testament).Testament).

Describes the creation of the Earth in six days by Describes the creation of the Earth in six days by God.God.

Some religious scholars believe the account to be Some religious scholars believe the account to be a metaphor, while others believe it to be a literal a metaphor, while others believe it to be a literal account.account.

CREATIONISM WITH EVOLUTIONCREATIONISM WITH EVOLUTION

God started life on Earth and since God started life on Earth and since then life has evolved and refined into then life has evolved and refined into the various plants and animals we the various plants and animals we see today.see today.

With this theory, humans became the With this theory, humans became the rulers of the Earth as chosen by God.rulers of the Earth as chosen by God.

This theory draws on the ideas of This theory draws on the ideas of DarwinDarwin. .

Evolutionary Theory

• “The Big Bang” – 5 billion years ago• A great explosion in the universe caused a

spin-off of gases and particles that came together to form planets like Earth.

• At first Earth was molten hot, but then cooled and was able to support one simple life cell in the sea.

• From this form of life began a long process of evolution (that the plants and animals developed gradually through natural processes

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

• Darwin popularized the theory of evolution in Darwin popularized the theory of evolution in On the On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection in in 1859.1859.

• While serving as an unpaid naturalist aboard the ship While serving as an unpaid naturalist aboard the ship Beagle, Beagle, Darwin examined, observed and collected Darwin examined, observed and collected data that led him to doubt the traditional data that led him to doubt the traditional Genesis Genesis account.account.

• Darwin came to believe that species adapted to their Darwin came to believe that species adapted to their environment in order to survive.environment in order to survive.

• Those that did not adapt did not survive (survival of Those that did not adapt did not survive (survival of the fittest). He called this process natural selection. the fittest). He called this process natural selection.

Vocabulary to know

Archaeologist: specialist in the study of early humans and early civilizations

Anthropologists: scientists who study the origin, development, distribution, social habits and culture of humans

Paleontologists: scientist who study the fossil remains of animals and plant life to understand past geological periods

Fossils: recognizable remains or impressions left by a plant or animal preserved in the Earth’s crust

Dinosaurs

Fossils tell us that they were among the Earth’s earliest inhabitants

200 million years ago Theories of their extinction

1. They starved after changes in the Earth disrupted their food supplies

2. Climate Change – as warm blooded reptiles they were killed by the cold

3. An asteroid hit the Earth causing dust clouds that blocked out the sun

4. They evolved.

THE PHYSICAL EVOLUTION OF HUMANS

Evidence shows that human developed through several stages from hominids (humanlike creatures) to modern human beings.

Hominids first appeared over four million years ago.

It is still not certain when the split occurred between the evolution of humans and apes and who is the common ancestor.

What’s the difference???

A hominid is distinguished from apes in many ways.

Two key differences1. Bi-pedalism (ability to walk on two feet)

2. Larger brain size

Australopithecus

One of the earliest ancestors of man is about 4 million years old. He probably spent most of his time in the grasslands looking for

roots and seeds to eat.

AUSTRALOPITHECINES

Molar teeth, no incisors 1974 – Hadar, Ethiopia, Donald Johanssen found an

3.18 million year old fossil of an Australopithecus afarensis.

Nicknamed her “Lucy” Jutting jaw, heavy brow, flaring cheeks 1/3 of modern brain Powerful forearms, curved fingers and toes Completely bipedal

HOMO HABILIS

2.5 million years ago Known as the “handy man” Bridge between Australopithecus and Homo

Erectus

HOMO ERECTUS

Probably man’s first upright relative Sharp focused eyes Free moving arms and hands High-functioning brain Power of speech 2 million years ago Fire was his main tool

1. Heat, warmth, health2. Protection, able to scare off animals 3. Cooking4. Eating faster, preserve longer, less disease5. Better weapons

Early Homo sapiens

They are about 250,000 years old.

They hunted and gathered food.

EARLY HOMO SAPIENS

Homo sapiens mean “man who thinks” 1st to formulate spoken language More sophisticated tools 250 000 years ago Stone Age (period when articles were made of

stone) As they spread throughout the world, their brains

developed to improve hunting and gathering techniques

Neanderthals are another type of Homo Sapiens

Modern Homo sapiens

They are about 20,000 years old. They started out as hunter gathers. Eventually they became farmers and animal herders.

MODERN HOMO SAPIENS

Appeared 40 000 years ago in Europe Skills = making clothing, better shelters,

more efficient hearths Called Cro-Magnons by 19th century

scientists Ability to endure colder climates Spread from Africa to Europe to Asia then

across the Bering Strait into the Americas