Early Homo Sapiens, Human Migration & Collective Learning
Welcome to Episode 7 of our Human Evolution mini series! In this episode, we'll be taking a look at what makes Homo sapiens unique from the rest of our human ancestors. After all, humans are the last surviving species in our evolutionary tree and it makes you wonder: why?
Around 300,000 years ago, the first Homo sapiens walked the Earth. Our species emerged in Africa but later ventured to every corner of the globe, leaving a permanent mark on history. In the span of the last 300,000 years, innovation took root. Advanced tools, including microblades and agricultural technology emerged. Additionally, a rich array of cultural symbols surfaced in the archaeological record. Among these were the Venus figurines which are thought to represent ancient perceptions of fertility. Then finally, we see what is arguably humanity's greatest innovation of all: the development of language.
Homo sapiens as a species have endured a lot, but through time, we have continued to survive, adapt, and innovate. As we trace the path of Homo sapiens across the globe we witness not just survival, but rather, a thriving species.
Episode 7 at a Glance:
- Survival challenges and tool use
- The development of culture
- Homo sapiens and mastery of the environment
- The power of language
- The peopling of the Earth
