Overview
This lecture explores the origins of modern humans in Africa, focusing on the San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert, their unique language, and ancestral technologies.
The San Bushmen and Human Origins
- The San Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert are considered humanity's oldest living relatives.
- Genetic evidence suggests the San are at the base of the modern human family tree.
- All humans today can trace ancestry back to African populations similar to the San.
San Language and Ancestral Speech
- The San speak a language that uses "click" sounds, which are rare in world languages.
- Linguists hypothesize that click languages may resemble the earliest human speech.
- These click sounds were likely lost as humans migrated out of Africa.
Ancient Technology and Innovation
- The San demonstrated advanced tool-making, such as spear tips crafted from bone.
- Bone tools were more efficient and refined compared to stone tools at the time.
- Early use of complex tools and language gave migrating humans a significant survival advantage.
Tracking and Environmental Skills
- The San are expert trackers, able to determine details like the age of a track within hours.
- These skills showcase the advanced cognitive abilities of early humans.
Key Terms & Definitions
- San Bushmen — Indigenous people of southern Africa, considered among the oldest human populations.
- Click Language — A language that incorporates click sounds as speech elements, found in San languages.
- Ancestral Sounds — Speech features believed to be present in the earliest human languages.
- Spear Tip (Bone) — An early human weapon made from bone, representing technological innovation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review readings on African human origins and early languages.
- Research the migration patterns of early humans out of Africa.