Human beings were believed to be descendants of primates, as the theory of evolution goes. Interestingly enough, the first primates on Earth were the Dryomomys, a small primate that survived by being small! It’s bigger than a modern rodent, but only a few inches. It existed 55 million years ago, and from there, the rest is history.
Primates continued to evolve and diversify, eventually leading to the monkey, ape, and human lineage. Humans are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos about 6 million years ago, and homo sapiens, our closest ancestor, appeared only 300,000 years ago. But how did they learn to survive since then, to bring our species, the homo sapiens sapiens, into the world? Here are some ways human beings have survived throughout the years and how they have improved now.
Hunting
Hunting and gathering was the primary way of survival for human beings until about 10,000 years ago. Unfortunately, they had to spend their days looking for food and shelter, which wasn’t always easy.
They also had to compete with other animals for resources. But as time went on, they developed better tools and methods for hunting and gathering, making it easier to find food and shelter. However, fishing was more essential to homo sapiens sapiens than homo sapiens. It has been found that our species lived near the shore due to the abundance of fishes and lack of natural predators.
Today, human beings have evolved to the point where we don’t have to worry about finding food and shelter. Modern societies have supermarkets and grocery stores that provide people with food. Fishing, an essential activity for people’s survival now become a hobby. The tools people have used have changed too!
Before, people fished with sticks and strings. Now, fishermen have robust Shimano stradic spinning reels to haul in big fishes. Moreover, ever since the invention of the wheel, the world can now bring in goods from across continents.
Fire
The fire was another essential tool for human beings’ survival. It not only kept them warm in cold weather but also provided light in the dark. It also helped them cook food and ward off predators.
Human beings have used fire for centuries, and it has been a vital part of our survival. However, fire can also be dangerous. It can spread quickly and cause destruction. That’s why people have to be careful when using it.
Nowadays, people have different ways of making fires. For example, they can use matches or lighters, which are safer than sticks and stones.
In addition, fireplaces and stoves have been invented to help control the heat and flames. This way, people can still enjoy the benefits of a fire without worrying about its dangers.
Clothing
Another way human beings have survived is by wearing clothes. Clothes protect us from the cold, wind, and rain. They also help to keep our bodies clean.
People would make clothes out of animal skin and fur in the past. But now, we have different materials like cotton, wool, and polyester. These materials are much more comfortable and durable than animal skin and fur.
People also have a wider variety of clothes to choose from. Before, people would only wear one or two sets of clothes. But now, there are hundreds of different types of clothes that people can wear for different occasions.
Trade
Trade is another way that human beings have survived. For centuries, people have traded goods and services with each other. It’s believed that even primates traded with each other. It was essential for survival because it allowed species to get the things they needed without finding them themselves.
Today, trade is still an essential part of our survival. Societies trade goods and services with other countries all over the world, this helps us get the things we need and want, and it also helps to boost our economy.
Agriculture
Agriculture is another way human beings have survived. It’s believed that agriculture began about 10,000 years ago. Before that, people were primarily hunter-gatherers.
Agriculture allowed people to settle down in one place and cultivate the land. This meant that they didn’t have to move around to find food and shelter.
Today, agriculture is still an essential part of our survival. It provides us with food and is also a vital part of our economy.
Technology
Technology is another way that human beings have survived. It has helped us develop better tools and methods for hunting, gathering, and fishing. It has also helped us create fire, build shelter, and make clothes.
Technology has also helped us to communicate with each other. In the past, people would only share with those close to them. But now, we can communicate with people all over the world.
Before, communication was using fire signals. Now, the world has iPhones and the internet to talk with each other. Human beings have drastically evolved since then and will continue to evolve into the future.
As you can see, human beings have used many different ways to survive. Human beings have come a long way from being hunter-gatherers to living in modern societies. And homo sapiens sapiens will continue to evolve and find new ways to survive.
