Aug 26 - Week 2 - Meeting 3: Homonins

 

I

Unit: Homonins

Theme: The Oldest Human Rituals

Introduction

 

Human evolution is the lengthy process of change by which people originated from apelike ancestors. Scientific evidence shows that the physical and behavioral traits shared by all people originated from apelike ancestors and evolved over a period of approximately seven million years.

II

Learning Objectives

 

• Understand the influence homonins had on human's abilities to dance
  
• Explain the importance of bipedality for dance development in the paleolithic
• Gain an awareness of the significance the construction of early shelters, burials and art objects had for human evolution
• Experience finger dexterity through choreography of hand gestures 
  

III

 

Main Lesson

 

1

 

First Ancestors

 

2

 N O T E S

First Ancestors 

• Our first ancestors lived 7 million years ago
• Bipedal, upright walking 
• Ability to walk emerged long before humankind developed big brains.
• Even though they walked they were still tree climbers.
• No hominins have been found during this period yet.

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Homonins

• Hominins continued to develop.
  
• 4 million years ago grasping feet were lost.
• Multiple hominin species lived simultaneously. 
• They may have met.
  

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Homo habilis

• 3 million years ago hominins lived in Southern Africa.
• Tools allowed hominins to adapt to new environments.
• The first known stone tools were produced in Ethiopia.
• The tools may have been produced by Homo habilis.
• The Homo habilis is a member of our own genus group, the genus Homo

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Homo erectus 

• 2 million years ago Homo erectus became the first hominin to migrate out of Africa.
• Homo erectus had human-like traits such as: 
• large brains
• dexterous fingers
• long legs

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Brain Growth 

• 800,000 years ago advances in cooking was fueling further brain growth.

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Homo sapiens 

• Our own species Homo sapiens emerged in Africa 200,000 years ago.
• They lived alongside and interbred with other hominin species.
• Homo sapiens were highly adaptable, quickly filing nearly every geographic niche.
• Other hominins went extinct.
• Climate pressures and competition with Homo sapiens may have wiped them out.
• Although these ancient hominins are now extinct, they remain our closest relatives on the family tree. 
  

Question 1

What characteristics attributed to the Homo habilis, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens influenced our species' ability to dance?

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 3

Human-like Traits

 

N O T E S

Human -like Traits  

• Each specie exhibited various degrees of human-like physical and behavioral traits such as: large brains, small teeth, bipedality and tool use. 

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Homonins 

These homonins can be divided into three main groups: 

Early homonins: 

Between 7 and 4.4 millions of years ago in Africa; ape like traits such as small brain capacity, some were beginning to show some human-like characteristics such as small canines used more for eating than for hunting or fighting.

Australopithecines: 

Primates, 4.4 - 1.4 millions of years ago across the African continent; they had some ape-like traits; however, changes in their skull, spine and shift, show a shift toward a human-like trait, consistent bipedal locomotion

Genus Homo:  

2 million years ago; contemporaries of some of the australopithecines, they were becoming distinctly more human; cranial capacity growing larger than any other hominin; sophisticated stone tool technology; the first to control fire; first to migrate out of Africa into the rest of the world. 

Question 2

 Why is bipedality an important trait for dance development in the paleolithic?

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4

 

Question 3

 Why is it significant that these early humans built shelters, buried their dead and created the first objects of art?

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IV

 

A Note to Remember 

 

Large brains, dexterous fingers and long legs were key attributes needed to develop dancing bodies. Early human shelters and burials probably included the performance of dance rituals.

 

 

V

Case Studies

The Oldest Known Human Ritual

Hominin Burial

Ancient Human Burial in Kenya

 

The Origins of Dance 

 

8 Bilion People: How Different the World Would Look if Neardenthals Had Prevailed

 

Group Discussion

 

 

VI

Activity

Hand Gestures

Dexterous Fingers / The Homo Erectus

Using the article above, create a sequence of hand/fingers gestures to illustrate the dexterity of the Homo Erectus. Use at lest 8 gestures to create a phrase. 

VII

Glossary

Homonin

Homo erectus

Homo habilis

Homo sapiens

 

 

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VIII

Students' Work

Simone Lantier

1. What characteristics attributed to the Homo habilis, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens influenced our species' ability to dance?

   
   
   1. It is possible to identify the source of the ability to dance in Homo sapiens from the characteristics which were identified for the earlier hominids Homo habilis and Homo erectus. The shift to Homo habilis, which used tools, is a shift to better coordination and fine motor control, a foundation for later physical movement. Homo erectus, with a larger brain, dexterous fingers, and long legs, exhibited physical coordination and cognitive complexity that were increased; both of these are important for rhythm and movement. While Homo sapiens were evolving, their highly adaptable nature, their increased brain size, and their social interaction skills contributed to the further development of the capacity to participate in synchronized and expressive movement. These final developments in motor skills, social bonding, and cognitive functions are what led to the creation of dance as a means of communication and social cohesion and as a ritual.

2. “ Why is bipedality an important trait for dance development in the paleolithic?”

   1. Bipedality was a crucial trait for the development of dance in the Paleolithic for several reasons. First, it enabled early humans to keep their balance and stability, which are important for engaging in coordinated movements, as in dance. The ability to stand upright also unlocked the arms and hands, which made it possible to use expressive gestures and more dynamic movements, which are a part of dance. Also, bipedality made early humans more efficient in their locomotion and could travel for longer distances and participate in social activities like dance. Since bipedalism is related to the evolution of a bigger brain, it also helped improve coordination and memory, which are essential for learning and executing complicated dance moves. In sum, bipedality provided the physical and cognitive basis for the evolution of dance as a social and cultural activity.

      
      

3.  “Why is it significant that these early humans built shelters, buried their dead and created the first objects of art?”

   1. The significance of the early humans' shelters, the burial of their dead, and the first objects of art demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities and social behaviours. The ability to plan, adapt and control the environment is reflected in building shelters, showcasing problem solving and foresight. The emotional depth, social bonding and possibly the beginnings of a belief system is suggested by burying their dead, it indicates an awareness of mortality and respect for the deceased. The emergence of symbolic thinking, creativity and communication is marked by creating art, and it demonstrates the capacity for abstract thought. These behaviors signal the development of complex social structures, culture and cognitive sophistication that define human evolution.

       

Nicholas Gioino 

(1)What characteristics attributed to the Homo habilis, Homo erectus and Homo sapiens influenced our species' ability to dance?

A major characteristic that attributed to the homo habilis and homo erectus ability to dance was bipedalism. Bipedalism is the ability humans had to walk on 2 legs which allowed for flexibility and freedom of movement. Another aspect was inline toes which gave us the ability to balance and preform certain movements without loosing bodily control. Bipedalism also gave the opportunity for men to become hunters

(2)Why is bipedality an important trait for dance development in the paleolithic?

Bipedability is super important because it allows for the freedom of overall movememnt. Hands can be free and humans move around. Also allows for a variety of different movements as you have better balance.

(3)Why is it significant that these early humans built shelters, buried their dead and created the first objects of art?

It is significant because this allows us to have information about those humans today. It allows us to see how they lived and how they perceived the world. It also shows us that they were not so different from us in terms of evolution. 

Thomas, Brad, Skye, Katie

 Question 1: Humans lived in tribes in huts por caves and were nomads looking to unt and collect food. Held rituals for food abundance and buried their dead performing burial rituals. Fire was discovered during this period. They could now cook their food and enjoy tastier things. Cave art represented hunting scenes so their homes could be decorated. Also there was a ton of stone tools. 

Question 2:  Cave art provides evidence of early human creativity, communication, and behavior. The themes depicted in these paintings are animals, human figures, and abstract patterns which offer clues about these peoples' environment, food sources, spiritual beliefs, and daily life of prehistoric societies.   

Question 3: The inner aspects of dancers in non literate societes involves personal emotions and spiritual connection. The outer aspect focuse on physical movements. Finally the secondary aspects represent cultural and social meanings, reflecting communal values and traditions. These aspects together connect the dancer to both the community and the spiritual realm.

Question 4: A shaman is a spiritual leader who is a master of the spirits. A shaman is someone who can travel into spirit realms and go into the underworld. They wear costumes with a ton of metal as metal conducts magic. 

Question 5: The ethics of shamanism according to  Michael Harner emphasize that shamanism is rooted in serving others and promoting well-being. Shamans are meant to use their abilities ethically, focusing on healing individuals and communities without causing harm. Their actions should always stem from good intentions, avoiding eliteism as it should be available to everyone. 

Question 6: compression of time, experience other realites, and receive advice from the spirits 

Question 7:  The Shaman is a spiritual leader who is a master of the spirits. A shaman is someone who can travel into spirit realms and go into the underworld. They wear costumes with a ton of metal as metal conducts magic. 

Question 8: We felt calm and more focused on our breath. Especially with the stressful day we all have it was great to have a few moments to reconnect with ourselves 

 

Question 9: The paleo-Indians in Colorado were nomadic hunter-gatherers who migrated across the region in pursuit of food like bison or other large groups of mammals. These groups were among the first to explore Colorado's diverse environments, including the plains, mountains, and river valleys.

Question 10: Hunting was not meant for practical purposes, there was rhythm and it was seen as a form of dance.

Question 11:  The bear dance is a traditional spring ceremony practiced by the Ute people. It serves as both a social gathering and a spiritual event. The dance honors the bear, which the Utes consider a sacred animal and a teacher. The purpose of the Bear Dance is to mark the end of winter and the arrival of spring, symbolizing renewal and growth in nature and within the community.

Question 12: The dancers were  imitating the instructor's movements in order to learn.

Question 13. There were many similar cultural practices and it provides everyone with a real link to those who lived during the paleothic time period. 

Question 14:  Both these videos were very interesting when it came to the depictions of the shamans; they both wore similar clothing which included a head piece. In both videos they also used instruments like drums to carry out the ceremonies.