By Natural Philosopher Mike Prestwood

Land: Africa and Middle East

The history of Africa and the Middle East.

First Clothes: Proto-Clothing and the Advent of Garments

By Mike Prestwood

Proto-clothing, encompassing basic garments such as animal skins and possibly decorative natural materials, likely emerged among hominins around 600,000 years ago, with Homo heidelbergensis being a probable early adopter. This species, experiencing diverse and often colder climates across Europe and Africa, may have utilized simple clothing as a practical response to environmental challenges. Analysis: The […]

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Extinction: Homo heidelbergensis

By Mike Prestwood

Homo heidelbergensis lived in Africa, Europe and Asia from 700,000 to 200,000 years ago. They coexisted with humans in Africa, Europe, and Asia from our emergence around 315,000 years ago until their extinction about 200,000 years ago. Imagined Image: A Homo heidelbergensis campsite a few thousand years before they went extinct, set in a lush European

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Extinction: Homo naledi

By Mike Prestwood

Discovered in 2013 and first dated in 2017, Homo naledi and humans coexisted in South and East Africa from our emergence around 315,000 years ago until their extinction about 236,000 years ago. It is possible that we share a common ancestor with them, but research is pending. Homo naledi lived in South Africa from 335,000 to

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Hominin World Population: 2 Million (speculative)

By Mike Prestwood

Other than humans, today’s smartest primates—chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and orangutans—have a combined wild population of approximately 400,000 to 700,000. This number persists despite their near-complete inability to expand beyond their current ideal environments, a restriction not faced by any human species since before Homo habilis. Moreover, this is in spite of the extreme pressures exerted

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Hominin World Population: 2 Million (maybe)

By Mike Prestwood

When Homo sapiens first emerged, their population in Africa was likely just a few hundred thousand, while the total hominin population, including other species like Neanderthals and Homo heidelbergensis, may have ranged from 1.1 to 2.1 million. During this period, Homo sapiens were primarily found in Africa, while other hominins occupied broader ranges across Eurasia,

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World Population: 1.5 Million

By Mike Prestwood

Cognitive Revolution 50,000 BCE – 70,000 BCE. Population range: 500,000 to 2.5 million. Given the uncertainties and lack of direct data, the following are speculative estimates. Africa-Middle East: 50-60% or 600,000 to 1 million people Africa, being the origin of modern humans, likely had the highest population density at this time, particularly in Sub-Saharan regions

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World Population: 4 Million

By Mike Prestwood

Late Stone Age Mesolithic Period: 10,000 BCE – 6000 BCE. Africa-Middle East: 30% or 1.2 million peopleg Asia: 40% or 1.6 million people Europe-Mediterranean: 15% or 600 thousand people The Americas: 10% or 400 thousand people Oceana-Australasia: 5% or 200 thousand people

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World Population: 15 Million

By Mike Prestwood

Stone Copper Age Chalcolithic Period: 3,000 BCE – 500 BCE. Africa-Middle East: 36% or 5 million people Early civilizations include Egypt and Mesopotamia with a relatively higher population density. Asia: 36% or 5 million people Early civilizations include Indus Valley and ancient China. They saw early urban development and agriculture which supported larger populations. Europe-Mediterranean:

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Seasonal Settlements at Klasies River Caves

By Mike Prestwood

Earliest known seasonal settlement in the Africa/Middle East zone: In the diverse and rich landscapes of what is now South Africa, the Klasies River Caves served as a vital seasonal haven for early modern humans. Positioned strategically along the coast, these caves were revisited across generations, suggesting a shared understanding among different groups about the

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Egypt: Nabta Playa (Agrarian)

By Mike Prestwood

Earliest known agrarian society in the Africa/Middle East zone: Located in southern Egypt, Nabta Playa is one of the earliest known agrarian societies in the Sahara. This prehistoric community developed a sophisticated system of cattle herding and possibly small-scale cultivation, alongside seasonal water management strategies, making it a precursor to more complex agricultural societies in the

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Lebombo bone: First Lunar Phase Counter

By Mike Prestwood

The Lebombo Bone is one of the oldest known mathematical artifacts in human history. This ancient tool is a baboon fibula with 29 distinct notches carved into it. It was discovered in the Lebombo Mountains between South Africa and Swaziland. It was initially dated to approximately 35,000 years, but 24 radiocarbon tests since date it

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wall, decay, plaster

Plaster Invented

By Mike Prestwood

The earliest known use of plaster dates back to around 9000 BCE, with evidence from the ancient site of Çatalhöyük in modern-day Turkey. Here, Neolithic inhabitants utilized plaster made from lime to coat the floors, walls, and even ceilings of their mud-brick houses. This early application of plaster represents a significant technological innovation, indicating a

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Ain Ghazal Statues: Early Plaster Art

By Mike Prestwood

The Ain Ghazal statues, dating back to around 7200 BCE, are among the earliest known examples of human figures crafted from plaster, highlighting an advanced use of materials in the Neolithic period. This technique involved applying plaster, made from lime and powdered limestone, over a core of reeds and twine to create lifelike statues with

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Tell Abu Hureyra

By Mike Prestwood

Located in modern-day Syria, this is an important site because of the evidence demonstrating a likely pattern from hunter-gatherer to farming. It provides evidence of one of the earliest known villages. The leading interpretation is that they were settled in the area and practiced hunting and gathering before about 11,500 BCE. Around 11,500 BCE there

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Göbekli Tepe (circa 9600 BCE)

By Mike Prestwood

Located in modern-day Turkey, Göbekli Tepe is one of the world’s oldest known temples. This site features massive carved stones and complex architectural structures that predate Stonehenge by some 6,000 years. The sophistication and scale of Göbekli Tepe suggest that the community was able to coordinate large-scale projects, indicating a high level of social organization

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Alhazen (965-1040)

By Mike Prestwood

42 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 17: Alhazen and the Senses Touchstones: Senses and Perceptions Pictured: Artist impression. Alhazen was born in Basra around 965 CE, a city located in present-day Iraq. In his 30s, Alhazen faced the challenge of his life. He was “commissioned” to produce a solution for regulating the unpredictable and deadly

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Al-Farabi (872-950)

By Mike Prestwood

46 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 16: Al-Farabi and Intellect Touchstones: Intellect and Existence Pictured: Artist impression. Al-Farabi was born along the Silk Road circa 872 CE in the city of Farab, in present-day Kazakhstan. Al-Farabi’ thought was rooted in Platonic and Aristotelian frameworks, yet it seamlessly wove in elements of Islamic thinking. He imagined

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Philo of Alexandria (circa 20 BCE to circa 55 CE)

By Mike Prestwood

94 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 12: Philo and Abrahamic Philosophy Touchstones: Allegorical interpretation Pictured: Portrait from 1500s. He likely did not look like this. Philo of Alexandria, was born in the dynamic environment before the split of Judaism and Christianity. He was born around the year 20 BCE and became an important Jewish leader

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King Shuruppak (circa 2600 BCE)

By Mike Prestwood

185 Generations Ago (from 2020 CE) 30 Phil, Chapter 2: Shuruppak and Paternal Wisdom Touchstones: Knowledge Frameworks & Philosophy King Shuruppak, circa 2625 BCE to 2550 BCE. Author of the “Instructions of Shuruppak.” It comes to us from around 2600 BCE, perhaps a century or so after the time of Gilgamesh. It is one of

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glass of beer, sausages and bread on the table

Beer, Ale

By Mike Prestwood

The Ale of Progress: On the riverbanks of ancient Mesopotamia, Sumerians fermented grains into beer, a beverage derived from bread. It became a cornerstone of their civilization. It’s a drink for the gods, a nutritious staple, and perhaps the world’s first social lubricant.

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