UCSP-Notes-2_1Q_HUMAN-EVOLUTION

FIRST QUARTER
GRADE 12 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, and POLITICS

SY 2024 - 2025
Notes # 2
Human Evolution and Culture

 Biological Evolution of Man
 Cultural Evolution of Man
 Sociopolitical Evolution of Man
 Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and
Economic Processes
Introduction
It is a saying that “human has no contentment”. As the environment changes, we

continuously grow and find ways to make less effort as we live.
It is very evident in the different stages of human cultural evolution:

 Paleolithic Period
 Neolithic Period
 Age of Metal
The term “Paleolithic” was coined by archaeologist John

Lubbock in 1865. It derives from Greek word, palaios,
which means "old"; and, lithos, "stone". In short, the
Paleolithic Period, which has happened 2.5 million years ago,
is also known Solstice Age. In the Paleolithic period, the
Earth was extremely cold and ocean levels were much
lower than they are now. Due to the cold climate, much of
the Stone Age is also called the Ice Age. During these years, people were nomads and able
to use simple tools and weapons made of unpolished stone. The caves serve as their shelter.
Similarly, this was the time when people discovered to use fire, through the use of stone, for
their protection against cold temperature. And later on, to cook their food.
Human beings in this time were grouped together in small societies such as bands, and
subsisted by gathering plants and fishing, hunting or scavenging wild animals. Also in this era,
according to study of Dr. Jesus T. Peralta of NCCA, respect is given to age, and individual
prowess and ability are recognized. There are no leaders that could be said to be above
everybody else and whose commands are obeyed without question. In some cases, one who
is known for good decisions is consulted when a problem arises; or well-known hunter
will be asked to lead a hunting group. Likewise, the term “Neolithic” also comes from the
same archaeologist and from the Greek word “neo” which means new and “lithos” meaning
stone or in short, the “New Stone Age “which was happened for about 10,000 B.C. In this period,
the Cro Magnon disappeared and the new people which is considered the modern man appeared.
The Neolithic Revolution which is also called the First Agricultural Revolution was the wide-
scale transition of many human cultures during the Neolithic period from a lifestyle of
hunting and gathering to one of agriculture and settlement, which made them increases
their population. They depend on domesticated plants and animals. They learned to create such
crafts as pottery and weaving. They developed boats as a means of transportation and also, for
fishing. From being nomads during the early stage, humans began to develop a sedentary type
of society of which they built-up villages and towns.
Furthermore, they were never been contented of their

accomplishments. They keep on discovering things for their own
convenience. So, they have discovered metals, and they gradually abandoned stone as the
basic element for their instrument and tools. This period was known as Age of Metals (4000 B.C –
1500 B.C). The used of metal such as bronze, copper, and iron produced a new historical
development from the cradle civilization of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia including the
India, and China which later on spread throughout Asia. There were three stages distinguished
within this Age due to the different types of metals that were used: The Copper Age, the Bronze
Age and the Iron Age; copper was the first known metal, it is of a low hardness and it was used
to make ornaments; bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and it is harder and stronger than
copper. Several eastern Mediterranean peoples discovered this metallurgy and progressed
rapidly. During this age, agricultural tools were developed with bronze, such as plows and
sickles, military weapons like swords, spears and shields, as well as household utensils
like jars, bowls and cups. Likewise, a more developed social, cultural, political, and
economic system were improved. Tribes, empires, and states were recognized at this point.
A. Biological Evolution of Man

Human biological evolution has already come a long way. However, according to scientists of
the natural sciences, our evolutionary process has not ended yet. This would mean that, as the
world changes, humanity continues to evolve too.
Transition Stage: Homo habilis

Period of Existence: 2.5 – 1.4 million years ago
Distinct Features:
 Developed bipedalism or the ability to walk upright.
 Brain size was estimated to be 35% larger than the Australopithecus africanus.
 Had smaller teeth compared to Australopithecines.
 Diet included a variety of plants and meat.
Transition Stage: Homo erectus
Period of Existence: 1.9 million years ago
Distinct Features:
 Further enhanced bipedal activities.
 Characterized by strong muscles at the back of the neck, shallow forehead, and
elongated brain case.
 Diet included an increased consumption of meat.
Transition Stage: Homo sapiens
Period of Existence: 400,000 years ago, to present
Distinct Features:
 Average brain capacity of 82 cubic inches.
 Characterized by high forehead, small teeth and jaw, and defined chin.
 Constructed and used tools for survival.
 Developed a symbolic communication system.
B. Cultural Evolution of
Man
Cultural evolution is learned behavior passed on from one generation to another.
In understanding cultural evolution, we could associate tools and artifacts that the early
humans used. Understanding these tools and their development could also make us understand
human lifestyle in the early hominin periods.
C. Sociopolitical Evolution of Man

The Paleolithic period involved humans as hunter-gatherers in society. They are nomadic
people who transfer from one area to another to hunt animals or gather plants for consumption
and survival. This has been the practice until around 12,000 B.C. when humans started to
domesticate animals and crops. This era of a newfound lifestyle is called the Neolithic Revolution.
The Neolithic revolution has facilitated an economic and societal shift that paved the way for
further developments in early human lifestyle. As such, advances in different aspects of human
life started during this era.
Below are the implications of the Neolithic Revolution in social, economic, and human
development.
1. Social Implications
 The Neolithic revolution paved the way for the creation of civilization through
permanent settlements dictated by reliable food supply.
 Development of domestication techniques and practices allowed for a more complex
society and the possibility for urbanization.
 A form of social stratification was developed.
2. Economic Implications
 Because of the domestication of crops and animals, an abundant supply of food and
resources was maintained.
 Introduction of a selective breeding process of crops and animals that would allow for the
development of new species.
3. Human Implications
 There was an increase in human population and life span across civilizations.
 People learned to play different social roles apart from being farmers (e.g., craftsman,
priests, leader).
D.
Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic

Processes
Artifacts are objects made or modified by humans in the past. They were recovered through
archaeological endeavor or by chance. Apart from serving as windows to the past, artifacts are
also deemed significant because they are tangible, authentic proof that a certain period in
history occurred.
 Artifacts are irreplaceable. Artifacts, being made hundreds, even thousands of years ago,
are very delicate objects that cannot be replaced by any available material at the present
time. Artifacts carry with them important cultural and historical meanings that no person
in the present could bring back. This is the reason why many museums around the world
only display replicas of material culture instead of the real ones.
 Artifacts are keys to understanding the past. Practices that occurred in the past would not
have been known if not for the discovery of artifacts. For instance, the discovery of the
bul-ol paved the way for a clearer understanding of the pre-historic Philippine burial
process.
 Artifacts give people a sense of identity. Artifacts describe

culture and society. They provide people with an
opportunity to further understand their identities and
heritage, as well as some collective qualities that their
culture may have.
 The past has yet to be fully discovered. Despite the
seemingly great successes archaeologists have made in
recent years, there is still more to discover about history.
Treating artifacts like pieces of puzzles will eventually provide a general picture of the
past.
Evidence for the Existence of the Neolithic Revolution
Artifactual evidence proves the existence and success of the Neolithic revolution in influencing
sociopolitical development.
Here are examples of pieces of evidence found to support the existence of this era:
 Morphological changes among Neolithic people, including brain size and mandible,
imply dietary changes from solely eating plants to consumption of meat.
 A subterranean structure in Syria was found to be built during the Neolithic revolution
and served as a communal storage facility.

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FIRST QUARTER

GRADE 12 UNDERSTANDING CULTURE, SOCIETY, and POLITICS

Human Evolution and Culture

It is a saying that “human has no contentment”. As the environment changes, we

It is very evident in the different stages of human cultural evolution:

The term “Paleolithic” was coined by archaeologist John

Furthermore, they were never been contented of their

A. Biological Evolution of Man

Transition Stage: Homo habilis

C. Sociopolitical Evolution of Man

Importance of Artifacts in Interpreting Social, Cultural, Political, and Economic

 Artifacts give people a sense of identity. Artifacts describe

Evidence for the Existence of the Neolithic Revolution

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