The Biological, Cultural,
and
Sociopolitical Evolution of
Humans
Let us Learn
This module will guide you in understanding the
biological, cultural, and sociopolitical
development of humans and society.
There are three lessons in this module, these are:
1. The Human Origin and the Capacity for Culture
2. The Role of Culture in Human Adaptation
3. Processes of Cultural and Sociopolitical
Evolution
Let Us Study
The Human Origin and the Capacity for Culture
In grade 9, you have studied human evolution. We usually
associate the evolution to the early humans and their basic
tools such as hammer and knife made of stone and wood.
These tools and artifacts are their expressions of culture
and ideas at that time. Human evolution started cultural
evolution.The changes in technology during the Stone Age
signify a gradual evolution of human mind and behavior.
The Theory on the Evolution of Humans
The theory of the biological evolution was first developed
by Charles Darwin. It refers to the process by which
organisms undergo changes over time as a result
heritable physical or behavioral trait. These changes
happened to help organisms adapt to its environment
and produce offspring. This theory explained that
organisms that can survive and reproduce evolved into a
more fit, new organism. This means that all living
things,including humans, came from one living
organism.
Darwin’s theory was supported by the scientific
community. In his
• book The Descent of Man, he concluded that human
came from some simple organized form, closely
related to great apes. However, in the theory of human
evolution, there is a missing link. The missing link is the
extinct organism, a fossil that will bridge the
evolutionary line between modern humans and apes
Archeology
• is the study of human history through
the excavation of sites and the analysis
of artifacts
Paleoanthrop
ology
• is the study of human evolution through
the fossil and archaeological record.
Archaeologist and paleoanthropologist
discovered different hominids. Hominids are
creatures that showed characteristics of
humans as well as apes. A conclusion has
been made, although not all experts agreed,
that there is no missing link. However, there
are different evolutionary paths that led to the
emergence of the human species.
•
The table below shows the discovered hominids or
early humans
Here are the key stages of the human evolution
The Role of Culture in Human
Adaptation
• The biological evolution tells us that
organisms survived and evolved into a
more complex species. It is also a catalyst
for cultural evolution. It takes million years
before our species developed into what we
are today.
These are important points of cultural development that
help in human adaptation.
1. Humans are the survivors among all hominid species.
2. Human species migrated and spread all over the world.
3. Humans built camps to serves as base for hunting and
gathering.
4. Humans created sophisticated tools.
5. Humans developed a system of language.
6. Humans created arts and symbols.
7. Humans species domesticate plants and animals and
discover the system of agriculture
•
• The homo habilis, known as the handyman, created
simple tools to help them in hunting for food. The homo
continued to create more complex tools, and included art
like cave paintings, rituals, languages, and domesticate
plants and animals. In other words, early humans
created a culture to adapt to their environment. This
cultural evolution helps humans control nature and
shape it to meet their growing needs.
The evolution of human culture is summarized in
the table below
The Process of Cultural and Sociopolitical Evolution of
Humans
In our society, there are two distinct social roles. First are the
working or creative roles. These are the entrepreneurs, artists
and craftspeople, scientists, and other important workers and
professionals. These people are responsible for the
continuation and development of culture. The second is the
maintenance role whose main responsibility is to maintain the
social traditions and structure. These are the government
officials, politicians, priests, and leaders of different
institutions. The relationship of these two roles is crucial in
cultural and sociopolitical evolution.
•
Below is the summary of development of the cultural and
sociopolitical structure (Elpel, 2009)
THE END
Thank you
Sana kunin nakayu ni lord
