A brief guide through Prehistory and the human evolution.

1. PREHISTORY
Palaeolithic/Paleolithic

2. • Prehistory is the longest period in the
evolution of mankind. It covers from
the origin of the human species until
writing appeared (3.500 BC).
• As there are no written records the
main source of information is
archaeology.
• Humans are the result of gradual
evolution from the first hominids
(human-like species) to the human
species. This process lasted millions of
years.

3. PREHISTORY
PERIODS:
• Prehistory is usually divided into three periods: Palaeolithic or Stone
Age, Neolithic and the Age of Metals.

5. HUMAN
EVOLUTION
• BIPEDALISM: walk on two
legs and freeing the hands to
use tools.
• OPPOSABLE THUMB:
enabled humans to hold
objects and make tools.
• INCREASE in the size of skull,
brain and forehead.
• LANGUAGE: changes in the
size of the jaw, teeth and
larynx.

7. AUSTRALOPITHECUS.
• BIPEDALISM: walk on two legs.
• LOCATION: East and South Africa.
• APPEARED in the Rift Valley 4.5 million years
ago.
• TOOLS: sticks and stones but did not make
tools.

8. HOMO HABILIS.
• APPEARED in East Africa 2.3 million
years ago but did not leave the
continent.
• FIRST to make basic tools.

9. CHOPPER with a single
straight or curved cutting edge
and CHOPPING TOOL with a
bifacial cutting edge.

10. HOMO ERECTUS.
• APPEARED 1.9 million years ago in East Africa and was the first
human ancestor to spread to Europe and Asia.
• TOOLS: complex tools called bifaces.
• Discovery of FIRE and HUNTING in groups.

12. ATAPUERCA.

13. HOMO ANTECESSOR
• APPEARED 800.000 years ago at
Atapuerta (Burgos).
• TOOLS for specific activities.

14. HOMO NEANDERTHALENSIS.

16. HOMO
NEANDERTHALEN
SIS.
• APPEARED 300,000 years
ago only in Europe.
• They LIVED during the Ice
Age.
• Complex TOOLS made of
flint (silex).
• First BURIALS.

17. HOMO SAPIENS.

18. HOMO
SAPIENS
• APPEARED in East Africa 200,000
years ago and expanded into
Asia, Europe, Oceania and
America.
• Sophisticated TOOLS made of
stone, bone and antler.
• First works of ART.

20. PALAEOLITHIC ART