The great innovations of prehistory

Language

Tools

Fire

Religion

Art

Society

Religion

Belief that all aspects of nature are alive and have purpose…what is the evidence for this?

Belief that if you appeal to their purposes, the spirits my give you what you need. For instance, if you ask the deer for a favor, they may give you a good hunt…what is the evidence for this?

Man is just part of a larger organization of spirits…what is the evidence for this?

A belief in a cycle of life, in which things are born, grow, die and are reborn….what is the evidence for this?

Religion

The after life…a continuation of life

WeaponsGrains and flowersJewelryFacing eastFetal position

Religion

Cycle of life: we can influence the powers of life and death by appealing to its purposes

35,000

36,000

26,000

Art: Mammoth hunter’s kit

Language

Given that we can only survive as a Group

• humans, are by necessity, social•We can only be successful and happy within the group (society)•We are the weakest animal in the forest•How would the evolution of speech enhance our ability to survive as a group (natural selection in action)•What would this “evolution” look like

Language

Organ Survival function Speech function

Lungs exhange oxygen and

carbon dioxide

supply airstream

Vocal cords prevent food and

liquids from entering

the lungs

produce vibration in

resonating cavity

Tongue move food within the

mouth

articulate sounds

Teeth break up food provide passive

articulator and

acoustic baffle

Lips seal oral cavity articulate sounds

Art

Art is functional….religion Art is aesthetic….design matters

and fascinating

70,000

Art

26,000

Art: Cave art 30,000-25,000

Art: Cave art 30,000-25,000

Art: Cave art 30,000-25,000

Art: Cave art 30,000-25,000

Art: Cave art 30,000-25,000

Art: Cave art 30,000-25,000

Art: Cave art 30,000-25,000

Tools

Tools

Tools

tools