Early Humans (Homo sapiens)
Modern humans have existed for about 300,000 years. For most of this time, they were hunters and gatherers.
- Social Life: Lived in small groups called bands.
- Survival: Relied on hunting animals and gathering wild plants/fruits.
- Technology: Made stone axes, blades, and arrowheads.
- Art: Created rock paintings in caves depicting animals and human figures.
The Impact of Climate Change
The Earth experienced several Ice Ages—periods when much of the Earth was covered in ice. The last Ice Age ended about 12,000 years ago.
The First Crops and Settlements
As the climate warmed, humans began to settle down.
- Agriculture: They started cultivating cereals and grains.
- Domestication: They began taming animals like cattle and goats.
- Settlements: Humans built hamlets (small villages) near rivers for water and fertile soil.
- Social Complexity: Leaders or chieftains emerged to manage the community’s welfare.
Tip
Collective Living: In early agricultural societies, there was often no individual ownership. Land was sowed and harvested collectively.