Department of Education

National Capital Region

SCHOOLS DIV ISION OFFICE
MA RIKINA CITY

Understanding Culture,
Society and Politics
First Quarter – Module 4

Author: Alfredo E. Ladesma

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 MODULE 4

Lesson 8: BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL

EVOLUTION FROM HOMO HABILIS TO
HOMO SAPIENS

What I Need to Know

To study and understand the processes of becoming human, we must look back
to the past. To harness the environment, humans produced tools and organized
themselves socially into diverse and hierarchical groups in many cases. These acts are
by themselves cultural process that mark the characteristics of being human. Human
tendencies to relate socially can be tracked to human anatomical features right down
from childbirth which is associated to change. There’s no permanent in this world
except change. Change is inevitable and the only nature of reality. Every change we
make leads us somewhere new. Through this lesson, you will be able to understand
the relations between biology and culture. Central to this lesson is the understanding
of human evolution and its implication on the transformation of cultures across
periods.

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 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
MELC: Analyze the significance of cultural, social, political, and economic
symbols and practices.

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. identify the different stages of human evolution;

What I Know?

Directions: Identify what is being described by the statements below. Write your
answer on the space provided before each number.

Homo habilis Homo erectus Homo sapiens

Evolution Fossils

______________1.Remains which are hardened in rock.

______________2. The process of developing the physical and biological change in a
species over a period of time.
______________3.The species name means “Upright Man” with body proportions similar
to that of modern humans. Lived 1.89 to 143,000 years ago; adapted to hot climates
and mostly spread in Africa and Asia. They were the first to use axe and knives and
produce fire.
______________4. The species name means “Wise Man” that appeared from 200,000
years ago. The present human race belongs to this species.
______________5. Species with a brain of a Broca’s area which is associated with speech
in modern humans and was first to make stone tools. The species name means
“Handy Man”. Lived about 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago scavenging for food.

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 What’s In?

You already have learned in your science subject about evolution. Human
evolution is the lengthy process of change by which people originated from ape-like
ancestors. Scientific evidence shows that the physical and behavioral traits shared by
all people originated from ape-like ancestors and evolved over a period of
approximately six million years. The long evolutionary history of the human species
from primates millions of years have been involved in the process of reaching the
biological traits of humanity that are occurring at present. Modern humans, belonging
to the genus Homo, are seen as byproducts of events and processes that occurred in
the past. Human evolution, however, must not be seen as a linear process. Scientists
argued that human evolution developed much like the branches of a tree wherein each
branch extends into smaller, more specific stems.

What’s New?

LET’S HAVE AN ACTIVITY!

Direction: Identify what stage of human evolution is being described by encircling the
choice of your answer.

1. Species characterized by a longer face, larger molar and pre-molar teeth, and
having a larger braincase compared to habilis particularly larger frontal lobes, areas
of the brain that processes information. The species lived about 1.9 to 1.8 million
years ago.

Homo rudolfensis Homo erectus Homo heidelbergenesis

2. Species with large brow ridge and short wide bodies that lived about 700,000 to
200,000 years ago in Europe and Africa. They were the first to hunt wild animals in
a routine basis using spears, and first to construct human shelters.

Homo sapiens Homo erectus Homo heidelbergenesis

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3. Species nicknamed “Hobbit” due to their small stature with a height of more or less
3 feet and lived 95,000 to 17,000 years ago in the island of Flores, Indonesia along
with other dwarfed animal species.

Homo neanderthalensis Homo erectus Homo floresiensis

4. Subspecies with short yet stocky in body build adapted to winter climates especially
in icy cold places in Europe and Asia. The subspecies, also known as “Neanderthal
Man” is the closest relative of modern humans. The first to practice burial of their
dead, hunting, and gathering food and sewing clothes from animal skin using bone
needles.

Homo neanderthalensis Homo sapiens sapiens Homo heidelbergenesis

5. Subspecies known as Cro-Magnon characterized to be anatomically modern

humans and lived in the last Ice Age of Europe from 40,000 to 10,000 years ago.
They were the first to produce art in cave paintings and crafting tools and
accessories.

Homo erectus Homo sapiens sapiens Homo heidelbergenesis

What is It?

In this activity, you have identified the different stages of human evolution. It is
obvious that it is not an overnight process, it took millions of years to achieve what we
have today. There are several stages underwent by man which change its body
features physically and mentally. These changes were inspired by adaptation.

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 What’s More

The Transition from Early to Modern

Humans
Humans are classified under the
order primates. Physical and genetic
similarities show that the modern human
species, Homo sapiens, has a very close
relationship with another group of primate
species, the apes. Humans and the great
Figure 1 Comparative Analysis of Skeletons
apes of Africa, chimpanzees and gorillas,
share a common ancestor that lived between 8 and 6 million years ago. Humans first
evolved in Africa and much of human evolution occurred on that continent. The fossils
of early humans who lived between 6 and 2 million years ago come entirely from
Africa. The biological transition of humans took millions of years to complete. Despite
this, scientists, through the help of archaeological pieces of evidence and modern
technology, we’re able to identify and distinguish distinct transitional stages of human
evolution.

Basic Stages of Man’s Evolution

Evolution involves the gradual
changes from simple to more complex
forms. Humans are believed to have
developed from simpler forms. The
evolution is hypothesized to have
begun in the oceans billions of years
ago. Darwin gave the theory of
evolution in his book -The Origin of
Species. Figure 2 Basic stages of human evolution
He mentioned that evolution has occurred through a series of natural selection. The
following are the basic stages of human evolution as seen in the figure on the right.

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1. Australopithecusafarensis - The fossil of this genus was first discovered in 1924
in South Africa. They lived on the ground, used stones as weapons, and walked
erect.It has the oldest documented bipedal footprint trails
2. Homo habilis - This species, one of the earliest members of the genus Homo, has
a slightly larger braincase and smaller face and teeth than
in Australopithecus or older hominin species. Its name, which means ‘handy
man’, was given in 1964 because this species was thought to represent the first
maker of stone tools.
3. Homo rudolfensis - Originally considered to be H. habilis, the ways in which H.
rudolfensis differs is in its larger braincase, longer face, and larger molar and
premolar teeth. Due to the last two features, though, some scientists still
wonder whether this species might better be considered an
Australopithecuswith a large brain.
4. Homo erectus - Early African Homo erectus fossils (sometimes called Homo
ergaster) are the oldest known early humans to have possessed modern human-
like body proportions with relatively elongated legs and shorter arms compared
to the size of the torso.
5. Homo floresiensis - Remains of one of the most recently discovered early human
species, Homo floresiensis (nicknamed ‘Hobbit’), have so far only been found on
the Island of Flores, Indonesia.
6. Homo heidelbergensis - This early human species had a very large brow ridge,
and a larger braincase and flatter face than older early human species. It was
the first early human species to live in colder climates; their short, wide bodies
were likely an adaptation to conserving heat.
7. Homo neanderthalis - Neanderthals (the ‘th’ pronounced as ‘t’) are our closest
extinct human relative. Some defining features of their skulls include the large
middle part of the face, angled cheek bones, and a huge nose for humidifying
and warming cold, dry air.
8. Homo sapiens - The species that you and all other living human beings on this
planet belong to is Homo sapiens. During a time of dramatic climate change
300,000 years ago, Homo sapiens evolved in Africa. Like other early humans
that were living at this time, they gathered and hunted food, and evolved

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 behaviors that helped them respond to the challenges of survival in unstable
environments.
Human Cultural Evolution
Human cultural traits like behaviors, ideas, and technologies that can be
learned from other individuals can exhibit complex patterns of transmission and
evolution, and researchers have developed theoretical models, both verbal and
mathematical, to facilitate our understanding of these patterns. Many of the first
quantitative models of cultural evolution were modified from existing concepts in
theoretical population genetics because cultural evolution has many parallels with, as
well as clear differences from, genetic evolution. Furthermore, cultural and genetic
evolution can interact with one another and influence both transmission and
selection. Human culture encompasses ideas, behaviors, and artifacts that can be
learned and transmitted between individuals and can change over time.
Significance of Artifactual Evidence
Artifactual evidences are the only source of knowledge in understanding the
lifestyle and the developments that occurred in each transitional stage of human
evolution. Scientists study the structure, shape, and development of skeletal
properties including head shape and teeth to determine biological differences across
early to modern species. Based on the types of plants and animals present in a rock
unit, scientists can often determine what ancient climates were like as well. Fossils are
also useful in correlating and determining the age of rock units.

INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY

In 2019, a new species of ancient human was discovered here in the

Philippines. Homo luzonensis, the small-bodied hominid, lived on the island of Luzon
at least 50,000 to 67,000 years ago. Luzon seemed especially difficult for ancient
hominins to reach, as it had never been connected to the mainland by land bridges, so
archaeologists thought that digging into deeper, older layers of soil wouldn't yield
much. What do you think is significance of such discovery of human material remains
and artifactual evidence in interpreting cultural and social including political and
economic processes of our country today?

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 What I Have Learned ?

Directions: Trace the biological and cultural evolution of early to modern humans by
creating historical timeline. Be creative by using whatever art materials you like and
use the back of this page or a separate page as your medium.

Assessment

______________1. The species name means “Wise Man” that appeared from 200,000
years ago. The present human race belongs to this species.

______________2. The species name means “Upright Man” with body proportions
similar to that of modern humans. Lived 1.89 to 143,000 years ago; adapted to hot
climates and mostly spread in Africa and Asia. They were the first to use axe and
knives and produce fire.

______________3. Sub species known as Cro-Magnon characterized to be anatomically

modern humans and lived in the last Ice Age of Europe from 40,000 to 10,000 years
ago. They were the first to produce art in cave paintings and crafting tools and
accessories.

______________4. Sub species with short yet stocky in body build adapted to winter
climates especially in icy cold places in Europe and Asia. The subspecies, also known
as “Neanderthal Man” is the closest relative of modern humans.

______________5. Species with a brain of a Broca’s area which is associated with speech
in modern humans and were first to make stone tools. The species name means
“Handy Man”. Lived about 2.4 to 1.4 million years ago scavenging for food.

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 MODULE 4

Lesson 9: CULTURAL AND SOCIOPOLITICAL

EVOLUTION:
FROM HUNTING AND GATHERING TO AGRICULTURAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND
POST-INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTIONS

What I Need to Know

We are now living in the so-called Digital Age. Also known as Information Age, it
is defined as the period in time starting in the 70s with the introduction of the
personal computer with subsequent technology introduced providing the ability to
transfer information freely and quickly. Your assignments, projects, as well as your
researches, are made easy by the internet. All you need is a gadget and internet access
and voila! – The information you need is at the tip of your fingers in just a blink of an
eye. Did you ever imagine how did we arrive in this period of convenience? It entails an
arduous and convoluted process that changed the world we live in. You will discover
all these after going through this lesson.

MELC: Analyze the significance of cultural, social, political, and economic

symbols and practices.

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. trace the biological and cultural evolution of early to modern humans by
creating historical timeline; and
2. explore the significance of human material remains and artifactual
evidence in interpreting cultural and social including political and
economic processes.

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 What I Know?

Directions: Read and understand the items carefully. Write the letter of your answer
on the space provided before each number.

_________1.It refers to the time when the world did not invent writing yet.
A. History C. Prehistory
B. Contemporary history D. Middle ages
_________2. The final stage of cultural evolution or technological development.
A. Mesolithic period C. Paleolithic period
B. Neolithic period D. Pseudolithic period
_________3. Money as a common standard of exchange and the old barter system was
abandoned in this society.
A. Agricultural and Neolithic Revolution C. Hunting and Gathering
B. Horticultural and Pastoral D. Industrial

_________4. The following are the great ages of prehistory EXCEPT:

A. Bronze age B. Gold age C. Iron age D. Stone age
_________5. American sociologist argued that human society undergoes transformation
and evolution and, in the process, develops technological advancement.
A. Beyer B. Darwin C. Lenski D. Marx

What’s In?

History is a work aiming at the presentation of a history of all of mankind as a

whole, coherent unit. A universal chronicle or world chronicle typically traces the
history from the beginning of written information about the past up to the present.
You have learned from your previous years that history is divided into three (3):
ancient or pre-history, medieval or middle ages, and modern history. Each part of
history had significant events that shaped what we are today.

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 What’s New?

LET’S HAVE AN ACTIVITY!

Directions: List important events in the following periods of Stone Age.
Early Neolithic Middle Neolithic Late Neolithic

What is It?

In your previous years, you have learned that the timeline of the world is
divided into two (2): Prehistory and History. Prehistory refers to the time when the
world did not invent writing yet, thus, there were no documentary records of this era
while History pertains to the time when a man already invented writing, making
possible the recording of events. According to Thomsen (1807), the three great ages of
Prehistory are the Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. The Stone Age was a broad
prehistoric period during which stone was widely used to make tools with an edge, a
point, or a percussion surface. It is also divided into three periods: Paleolithic (old
stone), Mesolithic (middle stone) and Neolithic (new stone) Ages.

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 What’s More
Gerhard Lenski, an American Sociologist argued that human society undergoes
transformation and evolution and, in the process, develops technological
advancement. Lenski focused on the social and cultural elements of society,
maintaining an evolutionary perspective on macrosociology. Lenski saw human society
as something of a process of change involving a society's level of innovation,
transmissions and technological advances. He describes this process of changing as
sociocultural evolution: “The more technology society has, the faster it changes.”

Neolithic Period (New Stone Age)

The final stage of cultural evolution or technological development. In between
Paleolithic Period (Age of chipped-stone tools) and Bronze Age (Early period of metal
tools). It is characterized by: (1) tool-making using grinding and polishing of stones; (2)
animal taming/ domestication; (3) permanent village settlement; and(4) handcrafts
making (e.g. pottery and weaving).

Figure 2 Early, Mid, and Late Neolithic Period

Early Neolithic: People who used early stone implements probably came from the
Asian mainland and reached the Philippines by way of Indochina, coming across the
China Sea to Luzon. From there they moved to Formosa, Japan, and onward into
nearby Northeast Asia.

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Mid Neolithic: The Duyung cave wherein a large stone adze and four adzes made from
the hinge of a giant clam, Tridacnagigas, are found has been dated by Carbon-14at
about 4,630 years before the present

Late Neolithic: Extensive use of "jade" and nephrite materials for both ornaments and
tools (especially in Batangas). Bark-cloth beaters, tools made of jade, and other
products, they also made a fine type of stone implement known as stepped adzes
probable that agriculture started to become the primary source of livelihood during the
Late New Stone Age, although it was still supplemented by hunting and fishing.

INDEPENDENT ACTIVITY
Directions: In this activity, you are expected to demonstrate the five steps (OPTIC
format) in analyzing the picture.

Overview Parts Title Interrelationship Conclusion

(Important parts or (Event being shown) (main idea connecting
details) the parts in the picture)

Q: What factors may help explain why people settled in permanent villages and began
growing crops and raising livestock?
_____________________________________________________________________________________

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DIFFERENT TYPE OF SOCIETIES
1. Hunting and gathering - The oldest and most basic way of economic
subsistence. People hunt and gather food for survival. The societies are fairly
egalitarian and the degree of inequality is very low. Although women and men
perform different tasks, most hunters and gatherers probably see the sexes as
having about the same social importance (Leacock, 1978). People come close to
being socially equal.

2. Horticultural and pastoral - Larger than hunting-and-gathering societies.

Horticultural societies grow crops with simple tools, while pastoral societies
raise livestock. Both types of societies are wealthier than hunting-and-gathering
societies, and they also have more inequality and greater conflict than hunting-
and-gathering societies. Money as a common standard of exchange and the old
barter system was abandoned. Extreme social inequality, typically more than
modern societies such as our own.

3. Agricultural and Neolithic Revolution - These societies grow great numbers of

crops, thanks to the use of plows, oxen, and other devices. Compared to
horticultural and pastoral societies, they are wealthier and have a higher degree
of conflict. The development of agriculture also led to an increase in social
inequality.

4. Industrial - The production of goods using advanced sources of energy to drive

large machinery. Water power and then steam boilers to operate mills and
factories filled with large machines. The change was so rapid that it sparked the
birth of sociology itself. Industrial societies feature factories and machines.
They are wealthier than agricultural societies and have a greater sense of
individualism and a somewhat lower degree of inequality that still remains
substantial.

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 What I Have Learned ?

Directions: Create a poster that recognizes museums, archaeological and historical

sites as venues to appreciate and reflect on the complexities of bio cultural and social
evolution as part of being and becoming human.

Assessment

1. Women and men perform different tasks yet they probably see the sexes as
having about the same social importance. What type of society is being
described?
A. Agricultural and Neolithic Revolution C. Hunting and Gathering
B. Horticultural and Pastoral D. Industrial
2. The following depicts horticultural and pastoral society EXCEPT:
A. The oldest and most basic way of economic subsistence.
B. The change was so rapid that it sparked the birth of sociology itself.
C. Money as a common standard of exchange and the old barter system was
abandoned.
D. These societies grow great numbers of crops, thanks to the use of plows,
oxen, and other devices.
3. The final stage of cultural evolution or technological development.
A. Bronze age C. Mesolithic period
B. Iron age D. Neolithic period

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4. In this society, production of goods using advanced sources of energy to drive
large machinery.
A. Agricultural and Neolithic Revolution C. Hunting and Gathering
B. Horticultural and Pastoral D. Industrial
5. According to Lenski, “the more technology a society has, the faster it changes.”
Which of the following statements best describes it?
A. There is a frequent dissatisfaction with technology.
B. The arrival of technology alters fundamental rights.
C. Technology determines society as well as social change.
D. The popular cars nowadays are electric because people are concerned about
the environment.

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 References
Lesson 8

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2020).What does it mean to be a

human? Retrieved from https://humanorigins.si.edu/evidence/human-
fossils/species

Lesson 9

National Museum of the Philippines (2014).Archaeological Collections retrieved

fromhttps://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nationalmuseumbeta/Collections/A
rchaeology.html

Answer Key

5. 1
4. 3
3. 5
2. 2
1. 4
Assessment
5. C 5. Homo Sapiens Sapiens
4. D 4. Homo Heidelbergenesis
3. D 3. Homo Floresiensis
2. A 2. Homo Sapiens
1. C 1. Homo Rudolfensis
Assessment What’s New?
5. C 5. Homo Habilis
4. B 4. Homo Sapiens
3. B 3. Homo erectus
2. B 2. Evolution
1. C 1. Fossils
What I Know What I know
Lesson 9 Lesson 8

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 Development Team of the Module
Writer: Alfredo E. Ladesma

Editor: Jossa Margaret Aloria Francisco

Internal Reviewer: Aaron S. Enano
Illustrator: Nathalia A. Malaga
Layout Artist: Ma. Gwendelene J. Corañez

Management Team:
Sheryll T. Gayola
Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
OIC, Office of the Schools Division Superintendent

Elisa O. Cerveza
Chief, Curriculum Implementation Division
OIC, Office of the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

Aaron S. Enano
Education Program Supervisor – A.P.

Ivy Coney A. Gamatero

Education Program Supervisor – LRMS

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Schools Division Office- Marikina City

191 Shoe Ave., Sta. Elena, Marikina City, 1800, Philippines

Telefax: (02) 682-2472 / 682-3989

Email Address: [email protected]

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