Anthropology
- Anatomically Modern Homo sapien sapiens (AMHss)
The emergence of AMHss (Anatomically Modern Homo sapiens sapiens) from Africa happened more than 100,000 years ago. According to data gathered in the paleoanthropology field. There is still much debate about how the modern man originated before spreading all over the world. At the time that the AMHss are thought to have originated there were different hominids in different corners of the world.
There were Homo sapiens in Middle East and Africa. The Homo Neanderthalensis were in Europe. There has been debate as to whether the AMHss originated in Africa or that the premodern sapiens had already left Africa before evolving. This has led to examination of fossils to determine the theory with more weight. The best early AMHss fossils are from Herto in Ethiopia. These are dated to around 150,000 years ago. These fossils which predate other fossils found in other places confirm that the AMHss originated in Africa. The presence of other fossils would indicate that in most probability, the AMHss migrated to other areas.
AMHss emerges from Africa c. 100,0000BP, moving East across Sub-Himalayan Asia. The movement is thought to have been because of climate and environment. This was during the early glacial period. Asia has been regarded as one of the areas with some of the older AMHss fossils next to Africa. When the eastern movement began many of the AMHHss settled in Asia whose climate was favorable. An AMHss skull was discovered in south west Asia on the Borneo island in the Niah cave. This has been dated at 40ky.
By 100,000 years ago, the Near East, including countries like Israel and Syria, was also home to populations of AMHss. This was one of the great settlements they made on their migration. By 50,000BP, AMHss were in China and before long thereafter they were in Australia. In Australia some AMHss fossila have also been found.
One notable site is the Willandra Lakes region. At this site there was discovered human skeletal fossils and fresh water midden that indicate they are AMHss. They have been dated between 40,000PB and 30,000BP. In Australia it is thought that the AMHss arrival did not completely wipe out the existence of non AMHss. This was confirmed by the discovery of such fossils at Kow swamp. These non AMHss fossils have been dated between 13000BP and 10000BP.
In the years to follow the AMHss colonizes the South Eastern part of Europe after 42, 000BP whereby by doing that they effectively over a period of time replaced the Neandethals who had settled in Europe. It was not until the 14,000BP that the AMHss arrived at the Americas in both the south and the north. This was made possible by the bridge of Bering land that connected the Alaska and Siberia. They reached north and South America, colonizing these continents after crossing the. After colonizing the Americas the AMHss continued to the pacific islands which they colonized by 3,000BP and the last frontier to be colonized was the high Arctic which occurred after 1,500BP.
- Describe the main varieties of hominid subsistence worldwide and through time, commenting on some effects of subsistence on other aspects of hominid life.
Dietary adaptations have long been the main factors that discriminate various hominids. To survive, the early man had to employ various survival skills, based on the location in which he lived and the type of resources that were part of his environs. The main subsistence means employed by hominids in the pre-historic time were hunting, middle sized mammals and fishing. The modes of fishing employed included hand fishing, which later evolved to spear fishing, until later when basket fishing was employed. Various modes of food storage were used employed as evolution of man continued. This started with storage of meat and fish for a short period of time. When man learnt how to farm, storage of grain started and food crops would be done for periods ranging from weeks to years.
Based on evidence found from East-African sites, where remains of the early man were discovered, remnants from past animals suggest the carnivorous activities of man by stone tool using hominids. The mode of life of these people only necessitated modes of survival, and man did not give much importance to social and economic structures. The hominids would only exhibit a form of organization when making hunting and gathering plans. Political structures were only given importance when man evolved an improved living system.
Social and economic factors set in as man’s evolution improved. Social classes would be defined using the numbers and sizes of herds that a person owned. Leaders would be distinguished from the commoners by great wealth, characterized by great herds of quality livestock and great portions of land. Excessive force by authoritative people also set in with the emergence of leadership systems. This is the same reason that led to slavery and the oppression that slaves were exposed to by being prevented from owning clothing.
- Describe one of the ancient civilizations in terms of the main concepts associated with all ancient civilization.
The Shang civilization was based on agricultural activities, hunting, and domesticating animals. The people in this society lived in small houses, constructed underground to facilitate insulation. Part of the harvests made by commoners was offered to the king. The Shang dynasty came up with a writing system which has been in use for more than 3,500 years. This system entails use of symbols.
The religious system used by these people was ancestor worship. They believed in fortunes that followed sacrifices offered to the ancestors. Shang Ti was the main god who was believed to rule heaven and the other deities. The priests were given all religious responsibilities in the Shang dynasty. The kind of system that was used to govern the Shang dynasty was kingship. The kingdoms were so large, that the king had to be assisted to govern the other parts of the land far from the city in which the king lived.
Technology was also a major advancement in the Shang dynasty. Bronze-making was a valued practice, facilitating the making of high-quality weapons. The Shang culture was responsible for designing and constructing a war chariot, from development of the yoke, harness and spoked wheel. Porcelain was invented in this region of the world, through molding and firing of white clay products. Other artistic works included carvings from ivory, silk materials and jade ornaments. The dynasty was advanced with the twelve-month calendar with the 365 days incorporated. Architecture was done through creative designs, which portrayed the people’s interests and beliefs. Shang dynasty gave great importance to trade and transport networks. The transport networks facilitated long distance trade with neighboring dynasties.
The fall of the dynasty followed after poor leadership from kings who followed in the system. The strong religious beliefs created the impression, that the kingdom would not regain its success after having leaders who violated Shang Ti’s will. A leader believed that after a dynasty had lost the mandate of heaven, there was no wrong in overthrowing the king involved. This, in a major way, negatively influenced the kind of leadership that this system had and a downfall was experienced. The achievements of the Shang dynasty are still felt to date. The advancement of the calendar, which is used all over the world, a kind of writing system and the mathematical and scientific advancements are useful to the present-day China and the entire world.
