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How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans?
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How did changes in the environment influence the development of the ea...
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Starting about 575 thousand years ago, the area started become much drier, a process called aridification. Grasslands expanded, and ponds and lakes dwindled. It wasn’t a straight-line effect, though, as wet-dry cycles kept the environment from ever drying out too much. Still, the overall trend was clear, and during two periods — between 525 and 400 thousand years ago, and from 350 thousand years ago till now — the aridification happened particularly quickly.
At the same time, the archaeological evidence shows our hominin ancestors were going through some changes too — what the authors call “a major transition in stone technologies.” The end of the earlier Acheulean style of primitive stone tools happened around 500 thousand years ago, right in that driest period, and the first artifacts of the later Middle Stone Age start appearing around 320 thousand years ago, after the second drier period began.
“The [earliest] dry phase and environmental variability would likely have had a significant impact on contemporary hominin populations regionally,” the authors write. Such a changing climate “can lead to an uneven distribution of resources that could drive hominins to travel more widely and to interact increasingly with other groups for both raw materials and information. In turn, this would help to drive technological change and its dissemination, resulting in increased foraging success rates and ability to survive.” The growing aridity may have also put evolutionary pressure on hominins who could perform greater cognitive tasks, such as traveling with a greater variety of tools over greater distances.
That first extra dry period also overlaps with a number of animal extinctions, in particular “large-bodied specialized grazing mammals.” The writers speculate that what may have done them in was not so much the aridity, which the animals were already used to, but the variability of the wet-dry spells, which they couldn’t adapt to
At the same time, the archaeological evidence shows our hominin ancestors were going through some changes too — what the authors call “a major transition in stone technologies.” The end of the earlier Acheulean style of primitive stone tools happened around 500 thousand years ago, right in that driest period, and the first artifacts of the later Middle Stone Age start appearing around 320 thousand years ago, after the second drier period began.
“The [earliest] dry phase and environmental variability would likely have had a significant impact on contemporary hominin populations regionally,” the authors write. Such a changing climate “can lead to an uneven distribution of resources that could drive hominins to travel more widely and to interact increasingly with other groups for both raw materials and information. In turn, this would help to drive technological change and its dissemination, resulting in increased foraging success rates and ability to survive.” The growing aridity may have also put evolutionary pressure on hominins who could perform greater cognitive tasks, such as traveling with a greater variety of tools over greater distances.
That first extra dry period also overlaps with a number of animal extinctions, in particular “large-bodied specialized grazing mammals.” The writers speculate that what may have done them in was not so much the aridity, which the animals were already used to, but the variability of the wet-dry spells, which they couldn’t adapt to
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How did changes in the environment influence the development of the ea...
Changes in the environment and the development of early humans
Early humans, also known as hominids, were greatly influenced by changes in their environment. These changes played a significant role in shaping their physical characteristics, behavior, and overall development. Here are some key ways in which environmental changes influenced the development of early humans:
1. Climate and habitat:
- The climate and available habitats directly affected the distribution and migration patterns of early humans.
- As the climate fluctuated over time, hominids had to adapt to various environments, such as grasslands, forests, and savannas.
- These adaptations led to changes in their body structure, enabling them to survive and thrive in different habitats.
2. Food availability:
- Changes in the environment affected the availability and distribution of food sources.
- Early humans had to adapt their hunting and gathering strategies based on the changing availability of plants and animals.
- This led to the development of tools and the advancement of hunting techniques, such as the use of spears and the creation of cooperative hunting groups.
3. Evolution of bipedalism:
- The transition from a forested environment to a more open savanna-like habitat influenced the evolution of bipedalism in early humans.
- Walking upright on two legs allowed hominids to cover longer distances efficiently, access new food sources, and adapt to the changing landscape.
- Bipedalism also freed up the hands for tool use and social interactions, contributing to the development of early human culture.
4. Social interactions:
- Environmental changes influenced the social dynamics of early humans.
- As habitats changed, hominids had to compete for resources, leading to the formation of social groups and the development of complex social structures.
- Social interactions played a crucial role in sharing knowledge, passing on skills, and improving survival strategies.
5. Cognitive development:
- The challenges posed by changes in the environment stimulated the cognitive development of early humans.
- They had to learn and adapt to new situations, solve problems, and develop innovative strategies for survival.
- This cognitive development eventually led to the emergence of language, complex tool-making, and the ability to plan for the future.
In conclusion, changes in the environment had a profound impact on the development of early humans. These environmental changes influenced their physical characteristics, hunting and gathering strategies, social interactions, and cognitive abilities. Adapting to the changing environment played a crucial role in the evolutionary journey of early humans, ultimately leading to the emergence of modern Homo sapiens.
Early humans, also known as hominids, were greatly influenced by changes in their environment. These changes played a significant role in shaping their physical characteristics, behavior, and overall development. Here are some key ways in which environmental changes influenced the development of early humans:
1. Climate and habitat:
- The climate and available habitats directly affected the distribution and migration patterns of early humans.
- As the climate fluctuated over time, hominids had to adapt to various environments, such as grasslands, forests, and savannas.
- These adaptations led to changes in their body structure, enabling them to survive and thrive in different habitats.
2. Food availability:
- Changes in the environment affected the availability and distribution of food sources.
- Early humans had to adapt their hunting and gathering strategies based on the changing availability of plants and animals.
- This led to the development of tools and the advancement of hunting techniques, such as the use of spears and the creation of cooperative hunting groups.
3. Evolution of bipedalism:
- The transition from a forested environment to a more open savanna-like habitat influenced the evolution of bipedalism in early humans.
- Walking upright on two legs allowed hominids to cover longer distances efficiently, access new food sources, and adapt to the changing landscape.
- Bipedalism also freed up the hands for tool use and social interactions, contributing to the development of early human culture.
4. Social interactions:
- Environmental changes influenced the social dynamics of early humans.
- As habitats changed, hominids had to compete for resources, leading to the formation of social groups and the development of complex social structures.
- Social interactions played a crucial role in sharing knowledge, passing on skills, and improving survival strategies.
5. Cognitive development:
- The challenges posed by changes in the environment stimulated the cognitive development of early humans.
- They had to learn and adapt to new situations, solve problems, and develop innovative strategies for survival.
- This cognitive development eventually led to the emergence of language, complex tool-making, and the ability to plan for the future.
In conclusion, changes in the environment had a profound impact on the development of early humans. These environmental changes influenced their physical characteristics, hunting and gathering strategies, social interactions, and cognitive abilities. Adapting to the changing environment played a crucial role in the evolutionary journey of early humans, ultimately leading to the emergence of modern Homo sapiens.
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How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans?
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How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans? for Class 6 2024 is part of Class 6 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 6 exam syllabus. Information about How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans? covers all topics & solutions for Class 6 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans?.
How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans? for Class 6 2024 is part of Class 6 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 6 exam syllabus. Information about How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans? covers all topics & solutions for Class 6 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for How did changes in the environment influence the development of the early humans?.
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