Ancient Humans
From space dust to sapiens and beyond.
History
Story
50 to 60 Thousand BCE
Divje Babe Flute
Archaelogy
Discovered in Slovenia in the 1990s, the Divje Babe Cave flute is a controversial artifact that may represent the earliest known evidence of music, and possibly Neanderthal musical culture.
Holistic Paleolithic Framework: A New Look at Prehistory
A new look at dividing up the paleolithic era.
The Evolution of Vocabulary in Ancient Humans
The evolution of language is the evolution of communication. From touch which evolved about 800 million years ago to human words. Along the journey, communication ...
Human Extinction: A New Look From Homo habilis to the Neanderthals
When and where ancient humans died out.
Must-Reads
Ancient Humans
The Evolution of Vocabulary in Ancient Humans
The evolution of language is the evolution of communication. From touch which evolved about 800 million years ago to human words. Along the journey, communication ...
New Ideas
Ancient Humans
Holistic Paleolithic Framework: A New Look at Prehistory
A new look at dividing up the paleolithic era.
Updated
How did writing first evolve?
Writing didn’t appear fully formed. It evolved slowly as humans found ways to record, label, and preserve meaning beyond memory.
What was the IQ of Homo habilis, and did they ask questions?
Homo habilis, living two million years ago, likely had an IQ of 50-60. Their early cooperation in hunting and childbirth may have sparked simple, abstract questions, marking the start of human cognitive evolution.
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History
FAQ
How did writing first evolve?
- Perhaps with labels and counting.
- For sure, it began as a way to track the world around us and to document our stories.
The Origins of Writing
Writing systems emerged as a permanent way to document what was said. Writing systems either represent full words, the syllables that make up words, or our basic sounds.