1. History Mid-Term Report Ways of the World - Part I & II, Robert Strayer By: Carlito Almero September 22, 2011

2. Global Presence of humankind Humans evolutionary line of descent has been linked to chimpanzees, our closest primate relatives, 5 million to 6 million years ago Homo habilis began to make and use simple stone tools Homo erectus migrated out of Africa and have been associated with the first controlled use of fire Homo sapiens emerged out of Africa and this was the beginning of the long trek into other parts of the world such as Eurasia, Australia, the Americas, and into the islands of the Pacific The Paleolithic (Stone Age) era was born and is evidenced by the cave engravings and paintings left behind These early forms of writings and paintings were found in deep caves which were associated with religious and ritual practices or rites of passages

3. First Civilizations On Earthbetween 3500 to 1000 B.C.E Chinese Civilization: Shang Dynasty Mesopotamian Civilization Olmec Civilization Norte Chico Civilization Indus Valley Civilization Nile Valley Civilization

4. Primitive Tools and Weapons After the Afro-Eurasian world dating 25,000 years ago, the miniaturization of stone tools became evident Stone blades and points were fastened to shafts used for hunting and grinding grains Due to relocation, hunting tools were altered to adapt to their new surroundings Known as, “micro-blades,” these smaller and more refined spear points, arrowheads, knives and scrapers replaced the primitive stone tools

6. The thick ice sheets made it possible for them to migrate and follow their food source

7. They followed large mammals, such as wooly mammoths and bison of their era

8. The Clovis people are directly responsible for the distinctive projectile point, known as the Clovis point

10. Sowing became an essential part of settling in one area and thus made farming and herding possible

11. Farming was highly dependent on climate conditions and made agricultural societies vulnerable to famine should crops fail due to drought or other catastrophes

12. The domestication of animals emerged in parts of the region where farming was difficult or impossible, these areas were identified as herders, pastoralists, or nomads

16. As human and animal population increased, soil erosion and deforestation led to declining crop yields thus requiring humans to scatter or “migrate” to other parts of the world as a response to an impeding “food crisis” New knowledge and technology followed humans as they explored and exploited their new environment