Chronology
Due lack of accurate records for times so long ago, we can only approximate dating. Accordingly, we express those long ago times in “years ago”.
TYA = thousands of years ago
MYA = millions of years ago
BYA = billions of years ago
Early Humans
Before the Stone Ages we have to consider different species of man. Australopithecus (Lucy was a member) evolved 4 mya.
Homo Habilis (2.8 mya – 1.6 mya) evolved to use stone tools.
Homo Erectus (2 mya – 108 tya) walked on two feet and had a brain size double those of Homo Habilis)
Homo Neanderthalensis (Neanderthals) lived (430 tya – 35 tya) were much smarter than had been supposed for much of the twentieth century ad.
Homo Sapiens (300 tya – present) has DNA from extinct species indicating sex between earlier species.
The Stone Ages
We base our time-frames on developments in the Middle East (Egypt to Mesopotamia). In different areas of the world different human groups developed at different rates.
Paleolithic (3.3 mya – 12 tya) achieved controlled fire, tools and arrow-heads.
Mesolithic (12 tya – 10 tya) achieved pottery and textiles.
Neolithic (10 tya – 6 tya) achieved agriculture.
BC/AD Versus BCE/ACE
Real vs Legendary Persons
Great Ages of History
What Are Civilizations?
Military Terms
Big Themes of History
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