HST
Uman
1-2.docxAssignment1 ---250 words
Please answer the following question. Your answer should be thorough and demonstrate your understanding of the material.
Which theory has more credibility, Out of Africa or Multiregional World? Being specific, why?
Make sure your answer addresses the evidence that supports your position and discusses why the other theory is flawed.
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Introduction Africa is the second largest CONTINENT in the world. Africa, a CONTINENT of fifty-plus sovereign nations, most with distinct language(s), governmental systems, military, and cultural traditions. Africa, a CONTINENT of eleven million seven hundred thousand square miles, which covers one-fifth of the Earth's land mass and would house the United States, China, and Europe - all at once. Africa, a CONTINENT with a population more than 3 times that of the United States, nearly as large as India, and a third the size of China; yet, 75% of those suffering through the devastation of HIV/AIDS live on the CONTINENT (source: United). Africa, a CONTINENT which produces 48% of the world's diamonds, 29% of the world's gold, and 48% of its platinum (source: Africa's Natural Resources); yet, 32 of the world's 50 poorest nations are African countries (source: World's 50 Poorest). Africa, a CONTINENT!!! Africa is the birthplace of humanity, a reality that few question. The challenge is interpreting its diversity while maintaining the integrity of historical methodology and paying the proper homage to cultural traditions and heritage. Covering a history that spans millennia before recorded history and millennia since is a daunting task yet brings with it a level of excitement that is rarely duplicated in the study of history.
Out of Africa, Maybe?Before we get started in our discussion, let's take a look at the development of the human species. http://archaeologyinfo.com/human-evolution-timeline/ The continent of Africa is a treasure trove of ancient history. Whether from the caves of South Africa, the sand of the Sahara or the soil of the Nile River Valley, evidence is continually extracted from the Continent to support what few scientists refute, that the earliest humans emerged from Eastern Africa (Source: Jeffries). Millions of years ago human life started in Africa. For purposes of this discussion, let's begin with, Australopithecus afrarensis, Australopithecus africanus, and Paranthropus robustus which science argues are steps in the development of humanity. Dating of the fossils found in East and South Africa date these remains older than 4 million years (Nkrumah). Lucy, which was discovered in 1974 by some Beatles fans, is the most popular Australopithecus afrarensis discovered to date. Bipedal, with a smaller brain capacity than modern humans, this skeleton was unique not only because of its age but because more than 40% of the remains were unearthed. Along the evolutionary path, it is generally accepted that the Homo, meaning human, chain emerged. Homo habilis (Handi Man) was the first full fledged tool making ancestors of humans (Nkrumah). Next, in the evolutionary chain was Homo Erectus (Upright Man) who demonstrated humans ability to control and manipulate the environment, including fire. It is this period that is characterized as a formal hunter and gather stage of development, a development made possible by a more developed brain capacity and thus, more sophisticated tool This is also the first species on the planet that migrated out of their native environment into other regions of the world. Whether by necessity or a response to sheer curiosity is unknown, what is known is that skeletal remains and tools dating to around 800,000 years ago have been found in Asia and Europe (Source: Gilbert, 2003).This unfolding saga of the human experience in Africa reveals a series of startling discoveries in Olduvai Gorge in Tanganyika and Kenya that scientifically supports the belief that early humanity originated in East Africa millions of years ago and then spread to Asia and Europe (Source: Jeffries).
Assignment2 ---250 words Please answer the following question. Your answer should be thorough and demonstrate your understanding of the material. While there is no such thing as an "African terrain," there are some commonalities that impact most of the continent. What are those commonalities? How does the environment help explain the underdevelopment of Africa, in general? In other words, what is it about the physical environment of the continent deters the continent's development. Make sure you support your answer with evidence from the readings. The Continent South of Western Europe and southwest of the Middle East, Africa is the second largest continent in the world. The continent is bordered on all sides by water, the Mediterranean to the north, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean to the east wrapping around the sourth and continuing to the west, and the Atlantic to the west. Divided into 54 sovereign nations, the nations range in physical size from Gambia, which is about the size of Connecticut, to the Sudan which is the size of the eastern half of the United States. The population of nations range from about 5 million in Niger and Mauritania to 150 million in Nigeria. The continent can practically be bisected by the equator, making it literally a mirror image of itself. With virtually any climate pattern or topography existing somewhere in Africa, literally there is no such thing as an African climate/ Near the equator a tropical climate is the norm. More temperate climates are found moving north and south from the equator. Despite popular perception, few areas of Africa are rainforest and three-fifths of the entire continent is dessert or steppe. The northern and southern edge of the continent is mild with predictable rainfall, very similar to the Iberian Peninsula and Southern France. Moving inward toward the equator, are deserts. The Sahara in the North, and the Kalahari in the South. Beyond the deserts are vast savannahs with more rainfall. In other words, the closer to the equator the wetter and more forests. The further away, the drier and the grassier regions.
Two of Many Challenges The ITCZ Disease: A Double-Edged Sword It is almost ironic that some of the same diseases that plague Africa in the 21st century served as discouragement for outsiders. Malaria and yellow fever, prior to the 19th century and advancements in medical knowledge, slowed the movement of invaders into sub-Saharan Africa. Both diseases are transmitted by mosquito, with dramatically different affects. Each probably got its start in West and Central Africa in response to the emergence of a settled life style. It is believed that malaria was first transmitted to humans when people became sedentary and began farming in Africa. Because of the lack of animals in these communities, mosquitoes set their sights on humans. It is estimated that more people have died from malaria over the last several millennia than any other disease (Source: Carr, 2009). Side note: Sickle cell anemia, though a deadly disease in-and-of-itself, provides a natural immunity to malaria. Yellow fever manifest itself as a viral infection. Symptoms of the Infection are wide ranging, from mild to severe and death. The "yellow" in the name is explained by the jaundice that affects some patients (Source: World Health Organization, 2001). The disease is often contracted by children, who then develop immunity for life. When the disease is contracted by adults, the results are much more devastating. Trypanosomiasis which is transmitted by the tsetse fly, is deadly to animals, but has an impact on humans too. Commonly known as sleeping sickness, this disease limits the variety of animals within a community. Domestication of cattle, which produce milk, meat, hides and manure, all significant to the development of humans, was virtually unheard of in large areas of Africa. Horses, which provided both military support and energy for production, were extremely susceptible to this deadly disease (Source: Gilbert, 2008).
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