Journal

Who were the Hobbits?

The Hobbits are a group of people who were named Hobbits because they were so small, the average Hobbit is as tall as modern 4 year old. These ancestors were found on the island of Flores in Indonesia. When when scientists first found them they compared Hobbits to Lucy a Australopithicus aferensis who lived 3.5 million years ago these skeletons and fossils were much younger. After doing radiocarbon dating on 8 hobbits historians found out that they lived from 38 to 18 thousand years ago, but some say they were only 12,000 years old. Hobbits had brains the size of a chimps. Historians believed Hobbits went through Island Dwarfing evolution where because of limited sources species become smaller. some historians and scientists even believe Hobbits are a scaled down version of the Homo Erectus. Two really interesting facts historians found out is that even though Hobbits had so small brains they had complex tools only modern humans could have, also Hobbits might heave had really complex social behaviors.

Journal

Why were tool-making and language important for the development of culture?

Tool making and language were very important for the development of our culture in many ways. With tool making we made different tools each varied for what it was used for, with tools we could start making more complex structures such as boats, but tools aren't enough we could have any tool but we couldn't make a boat unless we are using language to communicate. With language people could start communicating and forming new ideas. With communication we could start using the tools we made and create structures. With communication people can start forming beliefs and religion and with religion people started forming communities. As you can see tool-making and communication is very important to humans.

Journal

Bipedalism is the ability to walk on to feet constantly, people are the only ones who can do this. Other animals such as dogs can walk on to feet for short periods of time. Our earliest ancestors developed bipedalism because of many reasons. First while hunting or gathering they could carry more food to camp. Second people could use their hands to make tools. Also Traveling was easier and faster we could walk or run for longer periods of time in a faster pace. When people were on all fours they were short and couldn’t see over the tall Savannah grass, after they were on their feet they could see. Bipedalism changed peoples lives.

How does the use of fire demonstrate prehistoric people's ability to adapt to their environment?

Fire helped prehistoric people to adapt to there surroundings and environment in many ways. Fire gave warmth to people which helped them survive cold nights. It also enabled to have cooked food, when food is cooked the warmth gets rid of parasites, it's easier to digest and tastier. With fire people could stay awake after sundown and socialize, this is how oral tradition and beliefs started. With fire people could migrate to colder places, because they had something that gives them warmth. Fire could help people make new tools, an example is when people started using metal with fire they could shape it. I think fired changed people because with the use of it we expand our possibilities. Today fire is still very important.