UCSP

HUMAN BIOCULTURAL AND SOCIAL EVOLUTION, UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND POLITICS

Evolution is the process of developing physical and biological change in a species over a period of time.

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) was an English biologist, naturalist, and geologist best known for his
extensive contributions to the study of evolution.

TRANSITION FROM EARLY TO MODERN HUMANS

HOMO HABILIS = “handy man”, Period of Existence: 2.5 – 1.4 million years ago, Developed bipedalism or
the ability to walk upright.

HOMO ERECTUS = “the upright man.”, Period of Existence: 400,000 years ago to present, fire,
Constructed and used tools for survival.

HOMO SAPIENS = “the wise man”, closer to the biological characteristics of current humans.

Artefactual evidence = is the only source of knowledge in understanding the lifestyle and the
developments that occurred in each transitional stage of human evolution. can also include tools that
are used for hunting and gathering or symbolic writing found in caves.

Cultural evolution = is learned behavior passed on from one generation to another.

Lower Paleolithic 3 million years ago Earliest stone tools were

developed by the Homo habilis.
Middle Paleolithic 120,000 years ago There were more developed
stone tools. Homo
neanderthalensis were
prominent users of stone tools.
Upper Paleolithic 35,000 years ago Tools were decorated with
more intrinsic designs.
Mesolithic 12,000 years ago Smaller and finer tools were
used. Blades were incorporated
in wood or bone.
Neolithic 10,000 years ago characterized by the
domestication of crops.

NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION
The Paleolithic period involved humans as hunter-gatherers in society.
  One of the first Neolithic societies recorded in existence was Mesopotamia, which is at present,
the country of Iraq. It was believed that it existed in the same period as other Neolithic societies
in China, the Americas, and Africa.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION TO THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS

1. Social Implications
2. Economic Implications
3. Human Implications\

IMPLICATIONS OF THE RISE OF CIVILIZATIONS AND STATES

 Warfare: Conflict and wars emerged among states as tensions grew among them. Soon,
professional armies and weaponry began to make their appearance.
 Metalwork: A vast development in metalwork occurred along with the rise of civilizations and
states. During this time, people began to discover various raw materials, such as iron, copper,
and bronze for making tools and weapons.
 Political system: Because of economic factors such as trading, the leadership among city-states
began to be more organized and developed. With the kingship system replacing the priestly
leaders, each state had an executive branch that centralized decisions and communications with
other states.

DEMOCRATIZATION
 oligarchy where rulers were made up of aristocracies.
 oligarchic government also ruled in favor of the noblemen and aristocracies, ordinary people
also used their collective power against an abusive government.
 tyrant, a positive term for a Greek leader that meant “boss.” Tyrants became effective in
ensuring fair treatment for both land owners and farmers.

Artifacts are objects made or modified by humans in the past.

 ECONOMIC
 POLITICAL
 CULTURAL
 SOCIAL

IMPORTANCE OF ARTIFACT PRESERVATION

 Artifacts are irreplaceable.
 Artifacts are keys to understanding the past.
 Artifacts give people a sense of identity.
 The past has yet to be fully discovered.
HOW SOCIETY IS ORGANIZED