Out of Africa to the Ends of the Earth: First Migrations
Thesis: The Great Human Migration from the homeland, Africa to the rest of the unexplored land of Earth, spread new cultures, people, and technologies throughout the world.
A. Into Eurasia
Thesis: As humans began migrating into new locations such as the Middle East and Asia, new technologies and cultures were formed, such as new hunting techniques and the creation of cave paintings. 1. Migrations: 45,000–20,000 years ago
• The first location to be migrated into from Africa by humans was the Middle East
• After the migration into the Middle East, humans began to migrate westward into Europe about 45,000 years ago and then eastward into Asia.
• Due to the severe climate caused by
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These groups were also able to exchange goods such as pigments, feathers and shells for ornaments, and also an addictive psychoactive drug known as pituri.
C. Into the Americas
Thesis: Around 30,000-15,000 years ago, the first humans braced the frigid temperatures in Siberia, migrated into the Americas, and formed new cultures and lifestyles such as the Clovis culture. 1. Bering Strait migrations: 30,000–15,000 years ago
• Humans first had to conquer the frigid climate of eastern Siberia to reach the Americas.
• As of today, people are still not sure when the first migration to the Americas occurred. However, it is estimated that the first migration occurred somewhere between 30,000 and 15,000 years ago.
• The route the first migrants took is still questioned however, predictable routes were either by land across the Bering Strait or by sea down the west coast of North America.
• How many separate migrations took place and how long it took for people to penetrate the tip of South America is still unknown, however in southern Chile there is evidence of human activity about 12,500 years ago. 2. Clovis
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These new cultures were formed due to people adapting to new situations in various ways.
• For example in the Great Plains, hunters captured bison for food and resources. Unlike the mammoths, the bison survived the initial large animal extinctions.
• People who survived in the desert adapted to the harsh and dry climate. These people survived by gathering seasonal plants and hunting small game.
• People who lived near water sources such as lakes or streams survived by capturing birds and fish.
• As time passed, the lifestyles of some people began to change. Some people became farmers and in favored regions, people developed cities and large scale states. However, many people maintained their hunting and gathering lifestyles into modern times.
D. Into the Pacific
Thesis: With newly acquired nautical skills, Austronesian voyageurs were able travel throughout the Pacific Ocean, colonize new islands, and ultimately conquer the goal of migrating throughout the entire Earth. 1. Waterborne migrations 3,500–1,000 years