Post 3 of x
1. Expansion of grasslands (≈70 mln years ago): the grass family with more than 10,000 species (like grain plats-rice, wheat, maize, to lilies, orchids, pineapples, palms, bamboos) evolved 70-55 mya with the ability to survive in extreme harsh condition (like- fires, freezing, drought, flooding), and adopted a new photosynthesis process -C4 photosynthesis. They may seem insignificant plants, but these species have contributed two-folds for the development of the human civilization. Detail to post soon.
2. Opposable thumbs (≈5 mln years ago): the opposability of the human thumb is its unique ability to swing toward the palm, and oppose the other four fingers that enables two different kinds of grip- power grip (helped to grab tools as weapons) and precise grip (helped the early hominids in making tools). We do not know for certain when our ancestors adapted to have opposable thumbs, but the evolution of the fully opposable thumb is usually associated with Homo Habilis (who lived 2.33-1.4 mya). Unlike other animals, having opposable thumbs gave us the ability to perform complex activities with our hands. Detail to post soon.
3. Bipedalism (≈4 mln years ago): bipedalism is the fundamental evolutionary adaptation that sets hominids apart from other primates. It is not certain when this unique feature emerged. But it is regarded as the first major step in the development of our human ancestors. In addition to creating a more efficient locomotion mechanism, bipedalism also freed the hands to do other things such as develop tools. These developments in turn lead to the formation of a larger brain, the main thing that separates modern man from primates today. There are many theories and models proposed by the anthropologists on evolution of human bipedalism. However, the most intriguing clue came from Plato long before we had realized bipedalism was an evolved homo trait. He said, “Man is a biped without feathers.” Detail to post soon.
4. Tool making (≈3.4 mln years ago): of the cornerstones grassland, thumbs, bipedalism occurred naturally. But tool making is the first human invention that set us apart from all other animals. It enabled the ancient humans to climb to the top of the food chain. With inventing tools, they were able to accomplish tasks that human bodies could not. Although other animals use tools, human tool-making and human tools are fairly advanced in comparison to other species. Certain anatomical and neurological adaptations led to humans developing the skilled use of hands. Moreover, the tools made required greater memory and complex organizational skills only present in the large-brained humans. Detail to post soon.
5. Controlled fire making (≈1.9 mln years ago): fire is a naturally occurring phenomenon ignited by lighting and volcanoes. Ancient Homo species used it for cooking, warmth, protection, and tool making. But later Homos learn to make and control fire. As ancient evidence of fire doesn't preserve very well, segregating the evidence of fire that occurred naturally and made by the Homos is an impossible task. However, regardless the timeline, the ‘use’ and ‘control’ of fire was a gradual process proceeding through more than one stage. It enabled cooking and more energy for brain. Physical developments of earlier Homos, such as large brain, reduced digestion system, reducing size of jaw muscles are linked to the introduction to cooked food. It was soon discovered that meat could be dried and smoked by fire, preserving it for lean seasons. This preservation method along with the ability to make fire allowed the Homos to venture geographic expansion from tropical and subtropical climates to temperate areas. Detail to post soon.
6. Agricultural settlement (≈10k before present): the Nomadic hunter-gatherer collected wild grains for food long before moving out of Africa. But as the last great ice sheets were retreating and the Pleistocene Epoch was ending, humanity began an epic journey of living in permanent settlement of up to several hundred people. They were still foragers, not farmers, hunting games and gathering wild rye, barley, and wheat. Then the sedimentary people ran into hard times around 10,800 B.C.E., when regional temperatures abruptly fell some 12°F, part of a mini ice age. Due to food scarcity, some went back to their previous nomadic life as hunter, while many remained in settlement. Confronted with a drying, cooling environment and growing populations, humans in the remaining relatively fertile areas stayed where they were and subsisted, developing agriculture in the process. They found farming was easier and more rewarding than hunting and gathering. Detail to post soon.
7. Artistic expression (≈35k before present): art is a distinctive feature of human since the dawn of time, paving the way of civilization. However, the problem of investigation the time line of its origin is a big problem as we don’t know what qualifies as ‘Art’. Does a Zigzag, cress-cross patterns, nested curves or parallel lines that are the earliest known patterns to have been created qualifies as ‘Art’? Regardless of its timeline and definition, art has been an essential tool for expression, communication, and cultural reflection. Our ancestors created cave paintings to depict their daily lives and rituals. Art is associated with the earliest forms of communication, with possible connections to language development. It is the foundation of writing and leading human creativity. Detail to post soon.
8. Complex language and writing (≈6k before present): if the first seven cornerstones lay the foundation of civilization, writing is the jump starter. It is an integral part of any language and may just be one of the most valuable skills humans ever developed. Cave paintings are the earliest examples of man’s desire to make a permanent record of his life. However, spoken language in primitive or complex form evolved tens of thousands of years before the written form. But be it speech or writing, none has developed at once. Both have undergone multiple stages of evolutions to its full functionality, in fact they are still evolving today. While spoken language is a more or less universal human competence that has been characteristic of the species from the beginning, and that is commonly acquired by humans without systematic instruction, writing is a technology of relatively recent, which must be taught to each generation. Writing evolved stages, beginning with picture writing (expressing ideas directly) to Mnemonic to Pictographic; followed by a Transitional system leading to word-based writing systems; then by sound-based syllabic writing systems, including subvocalized syllabic systems; and concluding with the Alphabetic system. The earliest known mnemonic symbol is the Jiahu symbols, carved on tortoise shells in Jiahu, c. 6600 BC. The greatest advantage of writing is that it gives society a way to regularly and thoroughly preserve information, something that the spoken words could not previously do as successfully. Writing enables communities to communicate knowledge, transmit information, and spread ideas. Detail to post soon.
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