Humanity 1 Million Years Ago

What was Humanity up to 1,000,000 years ago?

Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:20 Thanks to Kiwico
3:17 Our strangest cousins
6:48 Big game hunters
8:36 Hand axes
11:05 The first carpenters
12:56 A global species
15:42 Our tiniest cousin
18:04 life in the cold
20:35 Burnt grass
22:27 The biggest difference
23:55 A hard life

Sources:

Written and Edited by Stefan Milosavljevich
Artwork by Ettore Mazza
Script help by Dr. Anna Goldfield
Footage from Getty, Shutterstock, Wikimedia Commons

Huge thanks to my generous patrons

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[CameronGeee]

Omg, I was literally watching this does no one talk about the Wood Age? And then you address it, top man. As a carpenter I know how amazing woodworking is. Rubbing a piece of wood on a rock to sand it rather than using a rock/stone in the hand. As a child I would make spears and rub it on the pavement to get a point. I like to think our distant hominids were excellent wood workers and had great knowledge of woods, bindings and structural strengths. Thanks again.

[matthewwasmer]

I want you to know three things: 1. As a former teacher, I am very impressed with the quality of your work. Your citations, raising doubts and skepticism to finds, conclusions and conjecture, is well done. 2. Every time you have a new production completed and posted, I watch it...immediately.. You are a master of your craft. I have enjoyed all of the episodes. Well done! 3. Your work maybe pivotal in leading Americans out of the anti-science/anti-knowledge darkness. Keep doing what you are doing!

Thank you!

[the_newt_nest]

Does anyone else really love the illustrations of Homo erectus in these videos? They're so expressive, it really adds to Stefan's humanizing narration.

[funkypants]

Ty for letting me be in the thumbnail!!!

[GoldenXBoots]

Honestly, even now raising a new born is HARD work. I am doing this for the third time and often wonder how my very distant foremothers would cope. Having your child without knowing if you can labor safely, recovering from said labor while pn the move with your tribe. Keeping your baby comfortable, fed, safe from being suffocated while asleep. I could not imagine being post partum living such hard lives. Making it through those very fragile first weeks, surviving on your mothers body (perhaps some aunties too) and making it to adulthood, that is a miracle in itself. Imagine if you could look all your foremothers in the eye. When would we recognize them as human and when would they change to "other"? Being human, living in this time, is truly a story of gritt, perseverance and a great bit of luck.

[ironnordegraf]

I love just sitting and imaging what life would've been like for us so long ago. It always feels so paradoxically blissful and horrifying.

[ranty_fugue]

Evidence of how much I love your videos:
1. Even when I watch late at night, I never fall asleep.
2. As I’m watching a video, I compulsively check the amount of time left, and groan when it nears the end.
3. Questioning life choices that did not lead me into paleoanthropology while inspiring me research it more.
Thank you!

[lordportellen]

This was great per usual. Hard to find a more engaging and compassionate thinker regarding very ancient history. These videos can't come often enough, keep up the splendid work!

[clivenobbs]

I have only recently discovered your channel. Having a lifelong interest in archaeology and anthropology your channel fascinates me. Also it is delivered in such a great no nonsense understandable way. Thankyou. You are a a pleasure to listen too. I realised a dream i have had since about the age of 12 and visited Olduvai (Oldupai) Gorge. I stood in awe as i looked out over where Louis and Mary Leakey made such important discoveries.

[bigaaron]

Gf that totally exists, wake up, Stephen Milo uploaded again!

[jwvandegronden]

22:10 I love it that my questions in my internal dialogue while watching your videos always get answered in such a fluid and natural way that it almost seems you organically let your narration flow and you share your own internal dialogue with is while riffing off on your topic. It always is a very pleasant surprise! I was thinking about the chances fire was used in an accidental way by carrying burning wood from bush fires and next thing I know is you share the same thought!

HAHA! Just at the end now, and I couldn't help laughing out loud in the office cantina.... So unexpectedly funny addition, contrasting your so profoundly true observations about our ancestors! I love that the most about your videos I think... the balance between heavier and lighter notes, the personal and accessible way in which you draw us in! Thanks mate. Such a treat as always.

[JewelCPeach]

Hi Stefan. Not sure if you’ll see this comment, but I was raised in a very fundamentalist, young earth creationist evangelical cult. At 38, I have only been learning true science for about 5 years, and your channel has been really helpful. Thank you for the work you’re doing and the education you’re giving me. 🤍

[deankittelson]

Stefan, I just want you to know whenever I see a new video pop up I feel a little jolt of joyous anticipation. These ancient history videos are my favorite. Thank you for what you do.

[jakobraahauge]

Your kind, clever, and enlightened choice of words is just delightful! This was such a great treat - thank you so much!
Lots of love from Denmark 🤗 😊😊

[AWSMcube]

Hi Stefan, your videos are fantastic. Your sponsorship segment made me think - if there's one gizmo gadget I could recommend for your kids (or any young kids in general), it would be an interactive smart globe with a little stylus. My parents got me one for Christmas 2009, when I was 5, and in hindsight, I think it was one of the best investments they ever made for me. By the time I was 7, I was a geography nerd (and I still am 😁), and that directly led me into my interests of languages, history, archeology, and anthropology in general. I am straight up immune to "haha American bad at geography" memes because of that little globe. I seriously can't recommend it enough. My parents got me a Leapfrog globe but I'd imagine that there are better brands these days. Ebay probably has cheap ones too

[thatguypanda]

stefan i applied to uni to go digging in a dank cave because of you xx

[tomhalla]

I can imagine doing sewing without eyed needles. A thin blade, and a twig or thin piece of wood shoving ties through skins.

[zolacnomiko]

8:47 Stefan, never get so serious that you don't keep the footage of your hand axe falling over XD

[readmycomment]

The sheer number of questions we still have about prehistory is what fascinates me. There is still so much to discover, its amazing.

[RowieSundog]

I'm listening to this while hewing a log for making a base for my sister, and at the point of talking about hand axes and woodwork I had to stop and just let it wash over me. What I'm doing here, shaping wood with a small axe, the thought that around a million years ago some far-off ancestor may have done similar, shaping wood to provide something for their family. I love it so much ❤