CHAPTER 3 Looking Back at Human Biocultural and Social Evolution Content Standard: 1, Thehuman origins and the capacity for culture. 2, Theroleofculture in human adaptation, 3, The processes of cultural and sociopolitical evolution. Performance Standard: 1, Analyze key features of interrelationships of biological, cultural, and sociopolitical processes in humans that can still be used and developed. Human Origins Examine the picture. What does it represent? How does it explain man's develop- ment? Itis a common understanding that change is the only permanent thing in this world. Every living thing is dynamic and, as such, undergoes transformation. Likewise, man as the most important component of society, goes through evolutionary changes thathelp him adapt to his environment, Thus, his adaptation started the formation of society as well as cultural development which is essential for survival. Scientists became interested in study- ing the origin and evolution of man especially in analyzing man’s capacity to cope with the, existing environment. Looking at evolution as man's linear progression. Evolution is anatural process of biological changes occurring in a population across successive generations (Banaag, 2012p. 31).Ithelps us identify and analyze man's physiological development which is -important in his subsistence. Most scientists currently recognize some 15 to 20 different species of early humans. Scientists do not all agree, however, about how these species are related or which ones simply died out. Many early human species — certainly the majority of them —left no living descendants. Scientists also debate over how to identify and clas-Looking Back at Human Biocultural and Social Evolution - 25 sify particular species of early humans, and about what factors influenced the evolution and extinction of each species. More so, the evolution of man became an important concer in the emergence of different societies, Early man’s development serves as an avenue in analyzing the progress of our society.For two million years, man in the form of carly hominid, was a herd/tribal animal, primarily a herd herbivore. During the next two million years the human was a tribal hunter/warrior. All of the human's social drives developed long before he developed intel- lectually. They are, therefore, instinctive, Such instincts as mother-love, compassion, co- operation, curiosity, inventiveness and competitiveness are ancient and embedded in the human, They were all necessary for the survival of the human and pre-human (wwwonelife,corn), Hence, man's progression and characteristics are essential in under- standing the capability for adaptation, Species Characteristics >> Species witha brain ofa Broca's area which is associated with speech in modem humans and was the first to make stone tools. Homo habilis The ability to make and use tools isa unique quality to humans such that the species is recognized to be the first true human. The species name means "Handy Man." Lived about 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago scavenging for food. >> Species characterized by a longer face, larger molar and premo- larteeth, and having a larger braincase compared to habilis par- ticularly larger frontal lobes, areas of the brain that processes information. The species lived about 1.9 ton 1.8 millionyearsago. >> The species name means "Upright Man" with body propor- Homio erectus tions similar to that of modem humans Lived 1.89 to 143,000 years ago; adapted to hot climates and mostly spread in Africa and Asia. They were the first hunters with improvised tools such as axes and knives, and were the first to produce fire. = >> Species with large brow ridge and short wide bodies that lived — about 700,000 to 200,000 years ago in Europe and Africa. heidelbergenesis | They were the first of early human species to live in colder climates, frst to hunt large animals on routine basis using spears, and first to construct human shelters. >> Species nicknamed "Hobbit" due to their small stare with a height of more or less 3 feet and lived 95,000 to 17000 years ago in the island of Flores, Indonesia along with other dwarfed animal species. Home rudolfensis| Homo floresiensis26 - Man's Cultural Evolution Species Characteristics >> The species name means "Wise Man" that appeared form Homo sapiens 200,000 years ago. The present human race belongs to this species. >> Subspieces with short yet stocky in body build adapted to. Homo sapiens winter climates especially in icy cold places in Europe and neanderthalensis | Asia. The subspecies, also known as "Neanderthal Man," is the closest relative of modem humans, he first to practice burial of their dead, hunting and gathering food, and sewing clothes from animal skin using bone needles, They lived about 200,00 to 28,000 years ago. >> Subspecies kriown as.Cro-Magnon characterized to be ana- Homo sapiens tomically modern humans and lived in the last Ice Age of | sapiens - Europe from 40,000 to 10,000 years ago. They were the first to produce art in cave paintings and crafting decorated. tools and accessories. ‘Source: Banaag. Lee Mark T (2012). Socio-Anthro: An Integrated and Interdiseiplinary Approach to the Study of Society and Culture. Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp, The physical as well as the mental development of carly human beings helped them understand and adapt to their existing environment. Thus, their adjustment served as the onset of their culture. Culture enables the members of society to develop ways: ofcoping with theexigencies of nature as well as ways of hiamessing their environment (Panopio, etal. 1994 p.37). The changes made by man through his interaction with the environmentestablish the different cultural evolution which determines man's sociocultural development. MAN'S CULTURAL EVOLUTION Cultural Period Time Frame Cultural Development Paleolithic Age traditionally coincided with | >> Use of'simple pebble tools. (OldStoneAge) | ‘the firstevidence of tool | 55 [eamedtolive in caves Toten : construction and use by . Homosome 2:5 million | 77 Discovered the use of fire years agoCultural Period Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) Looking Back at Human Biocultural and Social Evolution ~ 27 Time Frame lishing or grindin Occurred sometime about | edi S ‘a a vill 10,000 BCE i saa ons Cultural Development >> Developedsmall sculptures; and monumental painting, incised designs, and reliefs on the walls of caves, >> "Food-collecting cultures" >> Stone tools were shaped by >> Dependence on domesti- cated plants or animals. >> Appearance of such crafts as pottery and weaving >> "Food-producing cultures" ‘Source: Wip:Thwww britannica.com Simple Differentiation of the Cultural Evolution Polished stone tools Domestication bf plants and animals Livingin permanent places ‘Théevidences ofa change in eco- nomic aspect have resulted in the transformation of man's way of life. Early societies started to emerge as a result of man's interaction.with his en- vironment. Every society is organized in such a way that there will be rules of conduct, customs, traditions, folk- ways and mores, and expectations that ensure appropriate behavior among members (Palispis,2007 p. 254). This organizational component provides the basis of identifying what is accept- “able or not within the social order. So- ciologically and anthropologically, so- * ciety possesses different characteris- tics that show the interdependence of people with one another.28 - Characteristic of Human Society ‘CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN SOCIETY (Ci neceoainiccowemeaion ———}— ‘Source: Pallspis, Epitacto S ( 2007). Introduction 10 Sociology and Anthropology. Manila: Rex Bookstore TYPES OF SOCIETIES Type of Hu Characteristics Soc 1, Huntingand Food | >> The earliest form of human society. Gathering Societies | >> People survived by foraging for vegetable foods ard small ‘game, fishing, hunting larger wild animals, and collecting >> They subsisted from day to day on whatever was available. >> They used tools made of stones, woods, and bones, >> People leaned to use human muscle power and hand- held tools to cultivate fields. >> Classified as subsistence farming and surplus farming. SUBSISTENCE FARMING: | >> Involves only producing enough food to fed the group, >> The settlements are small. >> Neighborhood is solid——_ Looking Back at Human Biocultural and Social Evolution - 29 Type of Human Societies Characteristics >> Political organization is confined in the village. >> Authority is based on positions inherited by males through the kinship system. SURPLUS FARMING: >> Practiced in thickly populated and permanent settlements. >> There was occupational specialization with prestige dif- ferences. >> Social stratification was well established. >> The community tended to be structured by kinship rela- tions that are male dominated, 3. Pastoral Societies >> Itrelied on herding and the domestication of animals for food and clothing to satisfy the greater needs of the group. >> Most pastoralistswere nomads who followed theirherds inanever-ending quest for pasture and water, >> It was organized along male-centered kinship groups. >> Itwas usually united under strong political figures, How- ever, centralized political leadership did not occur. 4.” Agricultural Societies >> These societies were characterized by the use of the plow mee >> Creation of the irrigation system provided farming enough surplus for the community, >> Ever-growing populations came together in broad river- valley system. >> Those who controlled access to arable land and its use } became rich and powerful since they could demand the paymentof taxes and political support. >> By taxing the bulk of agriculture surplus, the political leaders could maké bureaucracies implement their plans and armies to protect their privileges. = Social classes became entrenched, and the state evolved,30 - Types of Societies Societies 5. Industrial Soci 6. Post- industrial Societies Type of Human Characteristics iach laa Ecolab >> Itis characterized by more than just the use of mechani- cal means of production. >> It constitutes an entirely new form of society that re- quires an immense, mobile diversity specialized, high skilled, and well-coordinated labor force. >> Createsa highly organized systems of exchange between suppliers of raw materials and industrial manufacturers. >> Industrial societies are divided along class lines. >> Industrialism brought about a tremendous shift of populations. >> Kinship playsa smaller role in patterning public affairs. >> Industrial societies are highly secularized >> The predominant form of social and political organiza- tion in industrial societies is the bureaucracy. >> It depends ‘on specialized knowledge to bring about con- tinuing progress in technology. >> It is characterized by the spread of computer industries, >> Knowledge and information are the hallmarks of this society. >> Itresulted inthe homogenization of social relations among individuals and the interaction between humans and the natural environment. Source: Palispls, Epliacio S ( 2007). Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology. Manila: Rex Bookstore Process Questions 1, What makes human beings an important component in the development of early society? 2, How do early societies differ from one another? Explain.