The document provides a timeline and overview of major events in human cultural and sociopolitical evolution from the earliest hominids to modern times. It begins with hominization and the emergence of tool use by Homo habilis around 2 million years ago. Subsequent developments discussed include the control of fire by Homo erectus around 1 million years ago, the appearance of Homo neanderthalensis in Africa and Europe, the beginnings of agriculture around 10,000 BCE, and the rise and fall of early civilizations. The timeline then outlines cultural, technological, and political milestones from ancient societies through the modern era.

1. Human
Biocultural and
Sociopolitical
Evolution
By Abanilla, Princess Ishi Nicole

2. Hominization

3. Hominization
When the creation of living organisms is studied, countless theories
emerge. Many religions have their own interpretations of how the
world and the organisms have come into existence.
However, naturalists consider science as the explanation of the
creation of organisms.
1

4. Hominization
British naturalist Charles Darwin says that all organisms have
undergone evolution, or the process by which beings develop from
earlier beings (On the Origin of Species 1859).
12 years later, he gives a precise theory on how humans must have
evolved through eons (The Descent of Man, 1871).
Archaeological findings paved the way for humans to discover
artifacts that supported the theory of evolution.
2

5. In both anthropology and sociology, it is significant to study
evolution. Everything that people have at present is a product of
millions of years of drastic changes on Earth. These changes
have significantly taken their toll on all living creatures. Their
impact is manifested in the form of adaptation since failure to
evolve means extinction.
The human beings then gained more knowledge about the
universe, and gradually altered the world to patterns that
benefited their specie greatly. As changes brought about by
ways of survival happen, cultures and societies do so too. New
inventions and ways of life came to surface.
Culture and societies exist because of evolution.
3

6. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
2 million - 1.5
million BCE
Homo habilis created and used the first stone tools.
1.8 million -
less than 1
million BCE
Homo erectus created dwellings, hunted animals, discovered
fire, spread out of Africa throughout the world.
120 000 BCE
Homo neanderthalensis appeared in Africa, Asia, and Europe;
the first ones to bury their dead.
35 000 BCE
Homo sapiens appeared in many parts of the world; became
the first to control the growth and breeding of animals; and
developed lands for farming.
10 000 BCE
New stone tools like sickles and hoes were used. Modern
humans domesticated animals for food and clothing.
8 000 BCE
Farming began in an area known as the fertile crescent in
Middle East and in Southeast Asia.
Prehistoric
Times
Paleolithic
Age
Neolithic
Age
1
4

7. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
7000
Farming developed in Central and South America. Clay pots
were utilized in Middle East and Africa. In the Middle East, first
metal tools were used.
6500 BCE
About 5,000 people were believed to have inhabited the town
Çatal Hüyük, where the oldest known textiles have been
found.
5000 BCE
Farming began in Mesopotamia, China, Egypt, India and
some parts of Europe. Kingdoms were established in Egypt.
Copper was used in Asia and North America.
4500 BCE
*4400 BCE
Megaliths were built in Western Europe. *Horses were
domesticated in Eastern Europe and used for riding for the
first time.
4000 BCE
The plow was invented in the Middle East. Sumerians learned
how to smelt metal; they and the Egyptians used sailboats for
the first time.
3500 BCE
*3200 BCE
Sumerians invented writing (cuneiform) and the wheel, and
discovered how to make bronze from copper and tin.
*Hieroglyphs, Egyptian style of writing, were introduced.
Early
Civilization
Copper
Age
Bronze
Age
1
5

8. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
3000 BCE
Minoans and mainland Greeks learned how to make bronze.
Sumerians worshipped mother-goddess Tammus; Egyptians
with their pharaoh as god-king.
2205 BCE
2000 BCE
1800 BCE
Dynasties began ruling the kingdoms in China.
Babylonians began counting 60s—hence 360° in a circle
Babylon built a new empire in Mesopotamia.
15000
Greeks began using shadow clocks. Tapestries were made in
Egypt, China, and Babylonia. First glass vessels were used in
Egypt and Mesopotamia. In India, practice of Hinduism is
believed to have begun.
1400 CE
1250 BCE
1200 BCE
Hittites refined iron ore.
Fall of Troy
Phoenicians developed the alphabet. Moses led the Hebrews
out of Egypt.
1100 BCE
1100-800 BCE
1000 BCE
The first Chinese Dictionary was compiled.
The dark ages in Greece.
The alphabet had been well-developed.
800 BCE
Assyrians began taking over cities throughout Mesopotamia,
which is believed to be the start of military empires in the world.
The first Olympic games was held in Greece.
Early
Civilization
Iron
Age
1
6

9. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
753 BCE
600 BCE
508 BCE
The city of Rome was founded.
Philosophy and science began in Greece.
Democracy was introduced in Athens.
500 BCE
529 BCE
Steel was made in India.
Babylon was conquered by Persians
336-323 BCE
Alexander the Great conquered Phoenicia, Greece, Persia,
and Egypt.
250 BCE Parchment was made in Pergamum (Bergama, Turkey).
221 BCE
214-204 BCE
Shi Huangdi united China and became its first emperor.
The Great Wall of China was built.
147-146 BCE
63 BCE
Romans invaded and conquered Greece.
Romans conquered Judah, and called it Judea.
Early
Civilization
Iron
Age
1
7

10. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
1-30 CE
100 CE
Birth and death of Jesus of Nazareth.
Alexandria made the first steam engine
150-271 CE
The Chinese made the first paper, invented the porcelain, and
introduced the first compass.
300 CE
The Mayas of Central America invented the Mayan calendar. In
Persia, the first civil war occurred.
322 CE
386 CE
765 CE
Arab prophet Abu Bakr propagated Islam throughout Arabia.
Italian bishop Ambrose introduced hymn and singing.
The Japanese printed the first picture books.
789 CE
812 CE
Charlemagne introduced his foot as a unit of measurement.
The Chinese issued the earliest paper money.
850-851 CE
940 CE
The Chinese invented gunpowder. The French created the
crossbow.
Chinese astronomers produced a star map.
942 CE
960 CE
Arabs introduced trumpets and kettledrums in Europe.
French priest Gerbert introduced Arabic numerals to Europe.
Early
Civilization 8

11. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
1009
1035
Persians introduced 7-day week to China.
Spinning wheels were used in China.
1050
Arabs introduced the decimal system. The Chinese began
printing books from movable type. Polyphonic singing was
introduced in the Christian Church.
1150
1221
The Chinese invented the first rockets.
The Chinese invented bombs.
1310
1440
First mechanical clocks were introduced in Europe.
Johannes Guttenberg began printing with type.
1519
Ferdinand Magellan set sail across the Pacific to reach
Moluccas (Maluku, Indonesia); reached the Philippines instead.
1522
Sebastian del Cano returned to Spain after a three-year
voyage around the world, which proved that the globe is
indeed round.
1543
1582
Nicolaus Copernicus declared that the Earth revolves around
the sun.
The Gregorian calendar was adopted in many Roman Catholic
countries.
Medieval
Period 9

12. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
1592 Galileo Galilei invented a primitive thermometer.
1610-1613
Galileo Galilei discovered Jupiter's moons with the first
telescope; agreed with Copernicus' theory that the Earth
revolves around the sun.
1618-1648 Thirty Years' War engulfed most of Europe.
1619 Black slaves were first employed in Virginia.
1637
Pierre Fermat and René Descartes developed analytic
geometry.
1692 19 people were hanged at the Salem witch trials.
1756 Seven Years' War began in Europe.
1775-1783 American War of Independence from Britain transpired.
1781 Religious tolerance was proclaimed in Austria.
1783 Montgolfier brothers made first hot air balloon ascent.
1792 Denmark abolished the slave trade
Medieval
Period 10

13. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
1814 George Stephenson built the first successful steam locomotive.
1827 Joseph Niépce took the world’s first photograph.
1844
The first cooperative was formed in England. Samuel Morse
demonstrated the use of Morse Code.
1846
Revolutions happened in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and
Hungary.
1853-1856 The Crimean War transpired.
1867 Christopher Scholes invented a practical typewriter.
1876 Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone.
1879 Karl Benz built the first motor-car.
1895 Guglielmo Marconi invented wireless telegraphy.
1900 Graf von Zeppelin invented the rigid airship.
1903 The Wright Brothers made the first powered flights.
Industrial/Modern
Period 11

14. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
1911 China became a republic.
1912 Titanic, the largest ship in history, sank in the Atlantic sea.
1914-1918 World War I.
1917
Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks seized power from the Czar
of Russia. Ernest Rutherford split the atom.
1918 In the United States, first airmail service was established.
1920 First public broadcasting station in Britain opened.
1931 First submarine ventured under the Arctic Ocean.
1937
Frank Whittle built the first jet aero engine. First full-length
cartoon film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released.
1939-1945 World War II.
1945 United Nations was established.
1947 The Philippines was granted sovereignty.
Industrial/Modern
Period 12

15. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
1957
Soviet Union launched the first satellites, Sputnik 1 and Sputnik
2.
1961
Communists built the Berlin Wall. Yuri Gagarin became the first
man on space.
1969-1973 Vietnam War.
1967
The USA, Britain, and the Soviet Union signed a treaty banning
the use of nuclear weapons in outer space.
1969 Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin walked on the moon.
1971
International organization for the protection of environment
Greenpeace was founded.
1971-1989
Space probes orbit/flew past and photographed Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
1984 The first Apple Macintosh microcomputer went on sale.
1987
Scientists discovered a large hole in the ozone layer in the
Antarctic.
Industrial/Modern
Period
13

16. Timeline of
some of the
greatest
human
events that
make up the
world’s
cultural and
sociopolitica
l evolution.
1989
Communist rule ended in East Germany; Berlin Wall was
destroyed.
1991 The Soviet Union collapsed; republics became independent.
2001
Terrorists bombed the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in
the USA.
2011- Syrian Civil War.
2015
An American space probe, New Horizons, reached and took
pictures of Pluto.
Industrial/Modern
Period
For humans, history started with hominization or the
evolutionary development of human characteristics that made
hominids (organisms belonging to the Homo genus) distinct
from their primate ancestors. It is at this stage that people have
found the first signs of human achievement.
14

17. Hominids differ from their predecessors, the australopithecines, in the
sense that they are the first to use stone tools for survival. Both
genera are known to be bipedal but beings in the genus Homo have
expanded brains, enlarged bodies, less sexual dimorphism, narrower
limb proportions, reduced size of cheek, teeth, and crania.
Hominization
15

18. The first hominid is Homo rudolfensis, discovered by anthropologists
Richard Leakey and Meave Leakey in Kenya in 1972. However, some
scholars believe that this species should be classified under the genus
Australopithecus, since its molar and premolar teeth resemble those of its
predecessor, although its brain is similar to those of the other hominids.
More studies have yet to be made regarding this species to know more
about its culture and social living if there were any.
As of now, anthropologists have traced the history of humans to the next
hominid, the Homo habilis.
Hominization
16

19. Homo habilis
It is to the Homo habilis nonetheless that people owe their
first relics of tools, anthropologists suggest. Tool-using is not
confined to humans, but scholars said that this species has
shown remarkable evolutionary efficiency in a creative
manner. Early traces of Homo habilis date back
approximately 1.9 million years ago (mya) in a site at Olduvai
Gorge, Tanzania. Here, the first identified building —a
windbreak of stones— has been found.
It is generally believed that the skill of tool-making has been
carried from Eastern Africa spreading to most parts of Asia.
The survival of this group of hominids in the different regions
of Earth only shows its capacity to adapt to the changing
conditions of the planet.
Hyper Realistic reproduction of
the Homo habilis, Museo de la
Evolución Humana
17

20. Homo erectus
The next significant stage in the evolution of human
culture took place roughly less than two mya. The Homo
erectus, best represented by the Java Man discovered
in Java, Indonesia, was believed to be crucial in defining
the moments by which humanity evolved. Many
scholars theorized that this species had the capacity to
manipulate its environment in order to survive.
Another achievement made by the Homo erectus was
hunting. Although hunting originated far back in the
scavenging period, this collective activity turned
hominids from being herbivores into omnivores. This
paved the way for a more complex form of living.
Skeleton and restoration model of Turkana
boy, National Museum of Nature and Science
18

21. As Roberts described in his book…
A new food supply permits larger consumption but also
imposes new environments: the game has to be followed if
meat-eating becomes general... there follows the further
exploration of territory and settlements... as sites particularly
favored by the mammoth or woolly rhinoceros are identified...
Knowledge of such facts has to be learned and passed
on: technique has to be transmitted and guarded for the
skills required to trap, kill, and dismember the huge
beasts...
19
Mammuthus primigenius ‘wooly mammoth’,
Jeongok Prehistory Museum Yeoncheon, South Korea
Wooly rhinoceros, eastern Siberia.
@Jamie_Woodward_

22. And, approximately 1 mya, Homo erectus discovered fire.
Theories on how they discovered fire varied. Some believed that fire
was first used when lightning struck a tree and burned it. Others
suggested volcanic activity, some suggested friction. Whatever the
truth was about the discovery of fire, it helped this species survive
longer and it made their lives more convenient.
Based on these premises, one can conclude that this period is
indeed significant in the physical and cultural aspects of its
successors.
20

23. Homo neanderthalensis
Neanderthals, or the beings under the specie
Homo neanderthalensis were similar to Homo
erectus, who walked erect and had big crania.
Found in Africa and Asia, they were more
primitive in comparison to modern humans but
they exhibited similar mental sophistication by
wearing animal skins and furs to protect them
from changing weather conditions.
Skeleton and restoration model of Homo neanderthalensis,
National Museum of Nature and Science
21

24. It was also the Neanderthals who were deemed to be the first to bury
their dead in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Archaeologists excavated the
remains of a Neanderthal child surrounded with horns of goats, arranged
pairwise. The bones must have been placed around the child intentionally,
showing that neanderthals already had an idea of formal burials.
Scholars suggested that their burial practice mirrored concern for other
individuals which resulted from great interdependence among group
members. Likewise, the offering of animals as part of its burial rituals could
be interpreted as an attempt on their part to control the environment.
22

25. Homo sapiens
Homo sapiens succeeded the Neanderthals. With a smaller face, lighter skull with bigger
provision for the brain, and straighter limbs, this is the species of the modern man (Homo
sapiens sapiens). Experts stated that early Homo sapiens originated from Africa and
expanded throughout the world about a thousand years ago.
Left to right: Homo erectus, Homo neanderthalensis, Homo sapiens
23

26. In the Philippines, evidence of Homo sapiens was manifested in
the discovery of the Tabon Man, believed to have existed 20
thousand years ago (tya), and of the Callao Man, dated to have
existed 60 tya. However, the latter is yet to be proven as
belonging to the Homo sapiens species.
Homo sapiens are believed to be the first species to alter their
environment and utilize their resources. Their bigger and more
complex brains led them to gain more knowledge about their
surroundings.
They were the first to control the growth and breeding of some
plants and animals. They learned how to farm and herd
animals. This specie learned to settle in one place or another to
develop further their food production. This act gave birth to
villages and towns. Eventually, they learned to communicate;
symbols and languages were born.
24

27. Since ancient times, humans
have altered their environment
for survival. An example of this
would be the Cordillera. The
early people of Cordillera
managed to utilize mountains
into rice terraces for their
agriculture.
25

28. As years went by, more and more
knowledge were acquired by this specie
They began to study sciences and
humanities. Beliefs were practiced. Diverse
ideas were generated. Not just the
hominids evolved, but the world per se.
Conclusions
01.
The present time of the Homo sapiens is
the golden era of the Homo genius when
the entire planet is developed to adjust to
the needs and wants of the modern
humans.
02.
26

29. Quiz
27
1: Who wrote On the Origin of Species and The Descent of Man?
2: What did Roberts say in his book?
3: What is the hominid that scholars believe should be classified under the genus
Australopithecus?
4-6: What were each hominid’s greatest achievement? Ex: The homo neanderthalensis were the
first hominids to bury their dead.
7-10: Where were the traces of each hominid found? Ex: The homo rudolfensis was discovered
in Kenya.
11-15 (optional/bonus): Give some of the greatest human events that make up the world's
cultural and socio-political evolution.
Answers: 1: Charles Darwin 3: Homo rudolfensis 4-6: The homo habilis created tools, the homo erectus
started hunting, and the homo neanderthalensis started using animal skin for clothes. 7-10: Homo habilis:
Tanzania. Homo erectus: Indonesia. Homo neanderthalensis: Africa and Asia. Homo sapiens: Africa.

30. Thank you for listening!