10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Prehistoric Europe
TopTenz・15 minutes read
Early human development before recorded history varied across regions, showcasing advancements such as tool-making, burial rituals, and the domestication of dogs from different wolf species, with Europe's prehistory highlighting the migration of Homo sapiens from Africa and inventions like the wheel. Various ancient civilizations like the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine thrived for thousands of years but faced challenges like climate change, while the domestication of dogs dates back to 33,000-36,000 years ago, earlier than previously believed.
Insights
- Early humans in Europe, originating in Africa, migrated around 200,000 years ago, interbreeding with Neanderthals, showcasing adaptation to the northern climate through remains and tools.
- The Cucuteni-Trypillian culture in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine thrived for 3,000 years, potentially inventing the wheel and showcasing advanced pottery and jewelry, with their disappearance linked to climate change.
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Recent questions
What does the term "prehistory" refer to?
The term "prehistory" refers to the earliest human development before recorded events, varying in start and end times across different regions. It encompasses the period before written records and historical documentation.
How did early humans migrate to Europe?
Early humans in Europe originated in Africa, with Homo sapiens migrating around 200,000 years ago. Evidence suggests that modern humans entered Europe through Russia, adapting to the northern climate with remains and tools indicating their journey.
What significant event affected Doggerland?
The Storegga Slide, a massive landslide 8,400-7,800 years ago, caused a tsunami that impacted various European regions, including Doggerland. This event led to significant changes in the landscape and affected the inhabitants of the submerged landmass.
Where did blue eyes originate?
Blue eyes originated north of the Black Sea around 10,000 years ago due to a genetic mutation. This mutation led to the prevalence of blue eyes in Europe, showcasing how certain physical traits can evolve over time in human populations.
Which ancient civilization is linked to the invention of the wheel?
The Cucuteni-Trypillian culture in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine is likely linked to the invention of the wheel. They thrived for 3,000 years, showcasing advanced pottery, jewelry, and potentially inventing the wheel, with their disappearance possibly tied to climate change.
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Summary
00:00
Europe's Prehistoric Development and Advancements
- The term "prehistory" denotes the earliest human development before recorded events, varying in start and end times across different regions.
- Europe's prehistory showcases human advancements before writing, with specialization in various fields in sedentary societies.
- Early humans in Europe originated in Africa, with Homo sapiens migrating around 200,000 years ago, interbreeding with Neanderthals.
- Evidence suggests modern humans entered Europe through Russia, with remains and tools indicating adaptation to the northern climate.
- Neanderthals, extinct 40,000-28,000 years ago, practiced tool-making, burial rituals, cave-bear worship, and possibly cannibalism.
- Doggerland, submerged under the North Sea, was once a landmass connecting England and Denmark, inhabited by humans and Neanderthals.
- The Storegga Slide, a massive landslide 8,400-7,800 years ago, caused a tsunami affecting various European regions, including Doggerland.
- The Solutreans, stone-age people from France and Spain, potentially reached North America 26,000 years ago, supported by archaeological finds.
- Blue eyes originated north of the Black Sea 10,000 years ago, with a genetic mutation leading to their prevalence in Europe.
- The Cucuteni-Trypillian culture in Romania, Moldova, and Ukraine thrived for 3,000 years, showcasing advanced pottery, jewelry, and potentially inventing the wheel.
12:42
Ancient Civilizations: Wheels, Writing, Wealth, Dogs
- The oldest wheel ever found dates back to 5,150 years ago in Slovenia, but a clay toy resembling a bull on wheels discovered in Ukraine appears to be older. The Cucuteni civilization is likely the inventor of the wheel, with their disappearance linked to climate change.
- The Turdas-Vinca culture, part of the Danube Valley Civilization, spread across Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece between 5700 and 3500 BC. They were advanced, creating copper tools, fabrics, and furniture, possibly being the inventors of the first written language.
- The Varna Man, from a civilization in Bulgaria between 4600 and 4200 BC, had the wealthiest grave in prehistory with 3,000 gold artifacts. The civilization was structured, forming a monarchical society, but fell due to conflicts over wealth and climatic changes.
- The domestication of the dog occurred in various regions simultaneously from different wolf species. Recent discoveries in Belgium and Central Russia push the domestication of dogs back to 33,000-36,000 years ago, much earlier than previously thought.
