Hominisation
• Humans come from a common primate ancestor.
• Hominids: new species that adapted to the environment.
• Hominisation: physical and mental changes over millions of years.
Main changes:
1. Bipedalism – walking on two legs.
2. Opposable thumbs – make and use tools.
3. Bigger skull and brain – more intelligence.
4. Changes in larynx and jaw – language.
Main species:
• Australopithecus: first bipeds.
• Homo habilis: used tools.
• Homo erectus: used fire, wore animal skins.
• Homo antecessor: found in Atapuerca (Spain).
• Homo neanderthalensis: lived in Ice Age.
• Homo sapiens: modern humans.
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🏺 Prehistory
• Began with first humans, ended with writing.
• Divisions:
1. Paleolithic – old stone, hunter-gatherers.
2. Mesolithic – transition.
3. Neolithic – agriculture, animals, polished stone.
4. Metal Ages – copper, bronze, iron.
How we study it:
• Archaeology (remains, tools)
• Genetics (DNA, ancestors)
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🪶 Paleolithic
• 99.5% of human history.
• Lived in East Africa (Rift Valley).
• Lower: Homo habilis, erectus – simple tools.
• Middle: Neanderthals – more complex tools.
• Upper: Homo sapiens – advanced tools, art, fire.
• Mesolithic: warmer climate, ice melted.
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🔥 Life in the Paleolithic
• Nomads – moved to find food.
• Hunter-gatherers – hunted, fished, collected fruit.
• Fire: used for heat, cooking, light, defense.
• Homes: caves and huts.
• Clans and tribes – small groups, egalitarian.
• Men and women worked together.
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🎨 Art and Religion
• Believed in spirits → first burials.
• Magic rituals: for hunting or fertility.
• Imitative magic: painted something to make it happen.
• Contagious magic: objects could pass power.
• Art: cave paintings and sculptures.
• Colours: minerals + fat or egg.
• Naturalistic and polychrome.
• Famous caves: Altamira and Lascaux.
• Later art: simpler, symbolic, monochrome.