The history of europe and the mediterranean.
Current understanding suggests that the diverse skin colors among modern humans, ranging from dark brown to fair, evolved multiple times both within Africa and as Homo sapiens migrated out of Africa. This variation is driven by natural adaptation to varying levels of UV radiation exposure in different populations, a process that typically unfolds over thousands […]
Modern Skin Color Variety Emerges Read More »
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
Extinction: Homo heidelbergensis Read More »
Homo neanderthalensis: Neanderthals and humans coexisted in Europe and Asia until around 40,000 years ago. While their exact cause of extinction remains debated, competition with modern humans and climate change are thought to be contributing factors. Imagined image: Left is a neanderthal, right a human. Just as human looks vary widely, Neanderthals did too. This
Extinction: Neanderthals Read More »
Earliest known symbol use in the Europe/Mediterranean zone. Dating back to around 40,000 BCE, the Upper Paleolithic cave art found across Europe presents a compelling narrative of early human communication and symbolic expression. Sites like Lascaux in France and Altamira in Spain feature elaborate depictions of animals, human figures, and abstract symbols that recur with
Upper Paleolithic Cave Art with Symbols Read More »
Earliest known writing in the European/Mediterranean zone. The earliest known writing system in the European/Mediterranean zone is the Cretan Hieroglyphic script from ancient Crete, part of the Minoan civilization. This script dates back to around 1900 BC to 1700 BC. Closely related and slightly later in development is Linear A, which emerged around 1800 BC
Cretan Hieroglyphic script: Greek Island Read More »
Eastern Asia and Europe: The domestication of dogs marks one of the most remarkable and earliest examples of animal domestication by humans. This significant event occurred approximately 20,000 years ago, with some studies suggesting an even earlier date. The process began when wolves, drawn by the waste and remnants of hunting left by human groups,
Earliest Known Domesticated Animal: Dogs Read More »
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,
Hominin World Population: 2 Million (maybe) Read More »
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
World Population: 1.5 Million Read More »
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
World Population: 4 Million Read More »
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:
World Population: 15 Million Read More »
Earliest known seasonal settlement in the European Mediterean zone: Nestled in the Argolid region of the Peloponnese in Greece, the Franchthi Cave offers a unique window into the lives of early Europeans spanning from the Upper Paleolithic through the Mesolithic and into the Neolithic periods. For over 23,000 years, from about 20,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE,
Seasonal Settlements at Franchthi Cave Read More »
Earliest known agrarian society in the Europe/Mediterranean zone: The Sesklo culture in Greece is recognized for its early adoption of agriculture, including the cultivation of cereals and legumes, and domestication of animals. This Neolithic culture is noted for its distinctive pottery and advanced housing architecture, reflecting significant societal organization. Imagined image: The Sesklo Culture village around
Greece: Sesklo Culture (Agrarian) Read More »
Blue eyes emerged stands out as a striking example of a genetic mutation that spread across populations. Traced back to a single individual living between 6,000 and 8,000 BCE in the region near the Black Sea, this genetic adaptation marks a notable divergence in the genetic makeup of modern humans. The mutation involved is a
Phenotype Variation: Blue Eyes Read More »
5 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 31: Sartre and Existentialism Touchstones: Anxiety, Consciousness, and Bad Faith Jean-Paul Sartre arrived in the Material World on June 21, 1905. Born in Paris to a modest family. Sartre, the chain-smoking existentialist who frequented Parisian cafes, is most remembered as an activist writer and for his idea of “bad
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) Read More »
7 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 30: Nietzsche and Nihilism Touchstones: Nihilism, Übermensch, and Eternal Recurrence Friedrich was born on October 15, 1844, on the 49th birthday of the Prussian King, after whom he was named. In 1869, at the age of 24, Nietzsche was appointed as a professor of classical philology at the University
Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) Read More »
9 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 29: Mill and Utilitarianism Touchstone: Harm Principle John Stuart Mill was born on May 20, 1806, in London, to James Mill, a Scottish-born philosopher and economist, and Harriet Barrow. His Greatest Happiness Principle lies at the core of utilitarianism, advocating for actions that maximize utility, generally understood as producing
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) Read More »
16 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 24: Locke and Natural Rights Touchstones: Natural Rights, Due Process, The Social Contract, Checks and Balances, and Law John was born on August 29, 1632 into a Puritan family in England. During his life, John Locke was focused on empiricism. He goes on to become a key figure in
John Locke (1632-1704) Read More »
17 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 22: Descartes and Cartesian Dualism Touchstones: Mind-Body Dualism, Idea Modeling, and Pragmatism René Descartes was born into minor nobility in the Kingdom of France on March 31, 1596. In 1637, Descartes published “Discourse on the Method,” he sought to identify certain knowledge by using doubt to strip away uncertain
Rene Descartes (1596-1649) Read More »
18 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 21: Galileo and the Scientific Revolution Touchstones: Relativity, the Infinitesimal, and Modern Cosmology Pictured: Portrait circa 1638, Galileo was about 74. Galileo Galilei, more of a scientist than a traditional philosopher, forever altered our understanding of nature. He was born on February 15, 1564. Galileo was a great scientist
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Read More »
18 Generations Ago Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561, in London to a prominent and influential family. The young Francis Bacon received a comprehensive education, attending the prestigious Trinity College, Cambridge, at the age of 12. Bacon is the Father of the Scientific Method, but notice he is not the inventor. Bacon laid
Francis Bacon (1561-1626) Read More »
Explore insights into science, philosophy, and history. This community features the writings of Mike Prestwood, a natural philosopher. This throwback title signifies his dedication to weaving together science, philosophy, and history. Engage in insightful discussions in a moderated, safe space where the realms of the irrational and unknowable are respectfully acknowledged but left at the doorway. Ready to connect with like-minded thinkers?
