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Modern Humans

Modern humans

An artist's conception of an early modern human. Credit: Illustration by Zdenek Burian. All rights reserved.

 

The current genetic evidence and human palaeontological record indicates that anatomically modern humans first emerged in Africa around 200,000 years ago and subsequently spread out of Africa in the last 100,000 years. Modern human behavior, as seen in the archaeological record, is especially clear beginning about 40,000 years ago, but earlier aspects of such behavior (mentioned in the chorus) can be seen earlier, especially in Africa. At the end of each line in the chorus, you can hear the percussion of a flake being struck from a flint biface. This song was inspired by popular Swahili songs of East Africa.


1.

Modern humans evolved on the African plain
Modern humans emerged and were never the same
Modern humans had big brains and gracile features
Modern humans were vertical foreheaded creatures


CHORUS

Making blades, painting caves
Working bone, garments sewn
Building huts, cracking nuts
Wearing beads, grinding seeds
Modern humans evolved on the African plain…

2.

Modern humans evolved on the African plain
Modern humans emerged and were never the same
Modern humans, they waxed as Neandertals waned
Modern humans, a two hundred thousand-year reign

"Modern Humans"

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"Modern Humans" © 2012. Music and Lyrics by Nicholas Toth and Kathy Schick, THE STONE AGE INSTITUTE®. All rights reserved.

Vocals:
Carrie Newcomer

Guitars:
Nicholas Toth

Bass:
Kevin Loyal

Drums, Percussion:
Tom Schoenemann

Percussion:
Kathy Schick

Engineer:
Kevin Loyal

Recorded at Echo Park Studio © 2012, THE STONE AGE INSTITUTE®.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

Modern humans evolved on the African plain
Modern humans emerged and were never the same
Modern humans adapted to every terrain
Modern humans, they made the whole world their domain


CHORUS

Making blades, painting caves
Working bone, garments sewn
Building huts, cracking nuts
Wearing beads, grinding seeds
Modern humans evolved on the African plain…