Blue, a color we encounter regularly, seems so common that it’s difficult to picture a world without it, doesn’t it? Surprisingly, ancient people probably didn’t perceive the color blue at all, but not in the way you might think.

In the past, before artificial dyes and similar innovations, the range of colors found in nature was much more limited compared to today. Ancient people didn’t have a specific word for “blue” because they viewed it as an extension of the color green. Interestingly, even today, different cultures perceive colors differently from one another.

Great news for Tolkien enthusiasts! Believe it or not, there were actual Hobbit-like beings that existed in real life. They were known as Homo floresiensis and they lived on Flores Island in Indonesia until approximately 50,000 years ago. This species earned the nickname “Hobbit” due to their incredibly small height and brain size.

Two discovered skeletons measured 3 feet 6 inches and 3 feet 7 inches, respectively. Scientists speculate that the Hobbits became extinct shortly after the arrival of Homo sapiens in the region, implying a possible connection between the two events.

Anthropologists and linguists have different opinions about the history of language, which can be quite puzzling.

However, research suggests that a “Proto-Human language,” the ancient precursor to all the languages spoken today, likely originated when Homo sapiens appeared about 200,000 years ago. Some linguists have tried to reconstruct this proto-language, while others consider it a questionable area of study.

Adding to the confusion, some experts argue that basic speech has been present for millions of years, and early humans probably needed some form of communication to effectively pass on their knowledge of making tools.

Neanderthals looked quite different from Homo sapiens. One noticeable feature was their big front teeth, which they used like a third hand for tasks like food preparation, leaving scratch marks on their teeth as evidence.

They also had distinct Neanderthal traits like a prominent brow ridge, a longer skull, and a wide nose, which helped them adapt to colder weather. On average, they were shorter, had a stockier build, and more muscular bodies compared to Homo sapiens.

The picture shows a model of an adult male Neanderthal based on the remains discovered in Belgium, which are around 40,000 years old.

At some time in the past, humans transitioned from eating raw food to cooking it. This change brought benefits by making our food more efficient to digest, reducing the time spent searching for and processing food.

As a result, our digestive tract became smaller and more efficient, allowing more energy to be allocated for brain growth. Some experts suggest that cooking with fire not only provided warmth but also helped protect early humans from predators, contributing to our survival.

You may already know that Homo sapiens and Neanderthals coexisted, but did you know that around 300,000 years ago, there were a staggering nine human species living alongside each other?

Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, Denisovans, Homo erectus, Homo rhodesiensis, Homo naledi, Homo luzonensis, Homo floresiensis, and the Red Deer Cave people occupied various parts of the world simultaneously.

However, Homo sapiens is the only species that has survived until today. What happened to the other eight? Continue to the next slide for the answer.

Around 10,000 years ago, the other eight species of humans had vanished from existence. Surprisingly, there is no concrete environmental evidence, such as a significant volcanic eruption or dramatic climate change, to explain their disappearance. So, what happened to them?

The answer lies with us, homo sapiens. In the most plausible explanation, our rapid population growth created intense competition for resources and territory among the different human species. Similar to events in our modern human history, conflicts, acts of war, and violence likely played a role in shaping the outcome, as we sought to assert our dominance and secure our interests.

When did our ancestors realize it was time to put on clothes? According to University of Florida researchers, it happened around 170,000 years ago, a good 70,000 years before they started moving into colder areas. Surprisingly, studies indicate that humans began wearing clothes long after they lost their body hair, which would have been at least 1 million years ago. This means there was a significant period when humans had neither hair nor clothing.

It might surprise you, but studies have proposed that our hands didn’t evolve solely for improved dexterity or more efficient hunting and gathering. Rather, they may have evolved to make us better at punching each other. Yes, it’s true! A study published in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that a closed-fist punch doesn’t deliver more force than an open-hand slap, but it does offer better protection for the fingers.

In the previous slides, we discussed a few human species, but what you may not be aware of is that researchers are continuously discovering numerous others. As of 2022, the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History has identified 21 species that are widely accepted by most scientists. However, our history is incredibly intricate, and scientists believe that many populations have simply vanished without leaving any evidence behind.

The exact duration of human use of fire is a topic of debate among scientists, much like other items on this list. However, a significant number of experts agree that Homo erectus probably had some ability to control fire as early as 1 million years ago. On the other hand, we have concrete evidence that modern Homo sapiens have been effectively using fire for at least 125,000 years.

While most of us would never consider approaching an active volcano, around 350,000 years ago, Homo heidelbergensis, a direct ancestor of the Neanderthals, did just that. In 2020, researchers conducted a study on footprints discovered in a layer of ash and pumice on the slopes of Italy’s Roccamonfina Volcano in Southern Italy. These footprints indicated that a small group of early humans had climbed the mountain (likely while hunting) just a few days after the volcano erupted, possibly even while it was still active!

“Mitochondrial Eve” is the most recent ancestor shared by all humans alive today. Scientists estimate that she likely lived around 170,000 years ago in southern Africa. This means that, technically, we are all related to each other. But let’s not dwell on that too much.

According to researchers, the Upper Paleolithic period, which occurred from 50,000 to 12,000 years ago, marks the time when humans started exhibiting modern behaviors. This means that during this period, we saw the emergence of cave art, organized communities, fishing practices, and intricate social networks. Essentially, it was during this time that humans invented the elements that contribute to the quality of life we experience today. Without this period, our world would likely be significantly different from what we know today!

Around 74,000 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption occurred at Mount Toba in Indonesia, which is considered one of the largest in Earth’s history. This catastrophic event had a significant impact on the human population. The eruption caused a volcanic winter that lasted for about six to ten years, leading to a sharp decline in the number of humans. It is believed that this event triggered a bottleneck in human evolution around 70,000 years ago. To grasp the magnitude of the catastrophe, the total population of Homo sapiens plummeted from around 300,000 to a mere 3,000 to 10,000 survivors.

Socializing played a crucial role in the survival of early humans. As our brains grew larger and more complex, they needed nurturing to reach their full potential. In response, early humans formed social bonds and communities. They took care of infants, shared food and tools, and supported one another. Just imagine, facing the challenges of early human life would have been much easier with a community by your side!

Some experts claim that war and conflict in our modern world are products of culture rather than inherent human nature. However, evidence suggests that violence has always been ingrained in our DNA. We now understand that primitive cultures had warfare and weapons, and violence was a significant cause of death.

Currently, anthropologists are uncertain about whether Neanderthals possessed the same advanced speaking abilities as Homo sapiens. The reason for this uncertainty is that voice box tissue doesn’t preserve well in the fossil record. However, what we do know is that their vocal and hearing anatomies were similar to ours, indicating that they likely had comparable hearing abilities.