6. Journey to Civilization

Human evolution has shaped not only our physical characteristics but also our societies, cultures, and beliefs. In this lesson, we will explore this connection, by examining topics such as housing, occupation, and transportation. 

Starting as hunters and gatherers, humans evolved into farmers and herders. This gave rise to permanent settlements that eventually grew to form villages and communities.

A community is a group of people living in the same area who share common interests and activities. These people depend on one another and exchange ideas and information to build their culture.1

A village is a settlement of people living in harmony. Their houses are built close to each other. This way guarding houses was easy. People of the village started to farm on a large scale. This led to the growth of other occupations within society.2

1. Change in houses and shelters

Early humans transitioned from building houses with hay and stones to using bricks, cement, wood, iron, and steel for stronger structures. They constructed tall buildings to accommodate the rising population.3 

2. Change in occupation

Early humans farmed and reared animals for a long time. Their knowledge of agriculture gradually led to other occupations such as fishing, poultry farming, and forestry. As humans progressed in technology they began to explore resources which gave rise to modern occupations like mining and selling goods and services.4

a. Mining - Mining is the process of digging out minerals from the earth such as coal, iron, petroleum etc. These materials are then processed into finished goods and made available to people.4 

b. Selling goods and services - In order to sell goods in the market, a number of people work as a big or small shopkeeper and businessman to sell these goods. Beside goods we also need services such as postal,  couriers, medical, banks, travel etc which are very useful in today's world4. 

3. Change in transportation

The invention of the wheel transformed transportation significantly. The wheel allowed humans to travel more easily and reach distant places. They could migrate and reach distant places. Humans started using wind's power to create sailing ships that could travel far across the sea. This invention shaped the modern world into exporting and importing goods.5 

a. Trade

Trade is the buying and selling of goods. Humans started exploring things and producing goods in excess so others can use it too. They started selling these extra goods thus the concept of trade began. Until the 15th century, the People of Asia, Africa and Europe traded with each other across land routes. They did not know about the people living in North and South America or in Australia. This led them to believe that the world only consisted of the continents they lived in. Asia, Africa and Europe were known as the Old world, while Australia and America were discovered later, were known as the New world. Trade  made people want to discover new places where they could buy and sell things. This led to exploration in the form of voyages across deep seas.6 

Let’s check some famous voyages led by great explorers that changed the course of history. 

Fig 6.1: Tablet with Cuneiform Script of Mesopotamians

4. Communication 

Early humans developed language by imitating sounds from their natural environment. They are believed to have communicated using sign language. As time went by, they began carving pictures on stone walls to express themselves. Written communication developed much later. The earliest forms of written communication were cave paintings, where early humans depicted their thoughts and experiences on the walls of caves.

The first structured writing system emerged during the Bronze Age. Early humans used clay tablets in place of paper to record information. This form of writing, known as cuneiform, involved inscribing symbols onto wet clay with pointed tools.

6.2: Tablet with Cuneiform Script of Mesopotamians 

In the 20th century, computers and the internet changed the way we communicate 

5. Cultures and beliefs

Human evolution and migration contributed to the development of diverse cultures worldwide. As early humans migrated to different regions, they adapted to new environments, developed unique practices, and created distinct cultural traditions. This cultural diversity is reflected in language, art, music, traditions, and food. 

Studying how humans have changed over time and how it affects how we live today helps us see how our bodies and the way we live are connected. It also shows us how different people have different experiences, and teaches us about how things that happened a long time ago still affect us now and in the future.