🔥La PREHISTORIA🌋El PALEOLÍTICO INFERIOR 🙊 [7 minutos] Historia universal

Paleolithic Era Overview

Introduction to the Paleolithic Period

• The video introduces the topic of the Lower Paleolithic, emphasizing a return to studying prehistory after a long hiatus.

• Prehistory is divided into several periods: Lower Paleolithic, Middle Paleolithic, Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic.

Key Characteristics of the Lower Paleolithic

• The Lower Paleolithic is noted as the longest phase in prehistory, focusing on human evolution rather than dinosaurs.

• Discussion centers around early hominins like Australopithecus and significant species within the Homo genus.

Early Hominins and Evolution

• Australopithecus is highlighted as a bipedal ancestor predating Homo; Lucy is mentioned as a notable specimen dating back 3.2 million years.

• Homo habilis emerges approximately 2.4 million years ago with notable brain structure changes indicating advanced cognitive abilities.

Technological Developments

• The term "lithic industry" refers to stone tools created by early humans; Olduvai Gorge is identified as a crucial archaeological site for studying human evolution.

Migration Patterns and Species Evolution

• Homo erectus appears around 1.8 million years ago and marks significant migration out of Africa into Europe and East Asia.

• Evidence suggests that Homo ergaster lived between 1.8 million to 1.4 million years ago; Turkana Boy remains one of its most famous fossils.

Fire Use in Human Evolution

Control of Fire

• Evidence indicates that Homo erectus had knowledge of fire use about 1.5 million years ago, although no structures have been found from this period.

European Adaptation

• As Homo erectus migrated to Europe, it evolved further; remnants suggest they were likely an advanced form of Homo ergaster.

Evolutionary Lineage in Europe

Key Species Development

• In Europe, remains of Homo antecessor are primarily found at Atapuerca's Sima de los Huesos site; this species evolved into Homo heidelbergensis.

Neanderthal Emergence

• Neanderthals emerged from the evolution of Homo erectus approximately 128,000 years ago and spread across Europe and parts of Asia.

Sima de los Huesos: A Crucial Archaeological Site

Significance of Findings

• The Sima de los Huesos site in Atapuerca contains human remains dating back roughly 300,000 years that help reconstruct European human evolution over time.

Hypotheses on Burial Practices