Why Did Human Civilization Start So Late?

Many wonder why human civilization began so late, considering humans have existed for much longer without it. This article delves into the survival challenges, the gradual accumulation of knowledge, and the significant climatic conditions that delayed the development of civilization.

Survival Challenges in the Prehistoric Era

While early human life was indeed challenging, survival relied heavily on finding food, suitable living places, and avoiding predators. Life was rugged and harsh, with no substantial knowledge base to rely on. Early humans were nomadic, following the seasonal patterns and prey animals. Minor injuries, diseases, and harsh environmental conditions limited their lifespan, and death was relatively common.

Slow, painstaking knowledge accumulation was a key factor in making civilization possible. For instance, the first general-purpose computer, sort of programmable, started in 1943. Over 75 years later, we see the widespread use of laptops, tablets, and smartphones, built on several hundred years of technological progress.

Consider the considerable time it took for our ancestors to discover that planting seeds could yield a bountiful harvest. Progress in civilization happens through leveraging what we already know and building upon it. Our ancestors, however, had a very limited base to build upon.

The Ambiguity and Conjecture Surrounding Human Civilization

This question is both fascinating and ambiguous. Is the author suggesting that humans were the first creature on the planet or the first capable of creating civilization? The first option is mere conjecture and storytelling. The second is highly conjectural since we have no definitive evidence of a civilization in creatures that lived tens to hundreds of millions of years ago.

If we focus on the development of human civilization, modern humans (homo sapiens) have existed for over 200,000 years. However, the conditions during the glaciation period posed significant challenges. Precipitation was 50% lower, temperatures were on average 6 degrees Celsius colder, and food resources were scarce. These conditions limited human survival to small, tribal groups, far from the environments necessary for civilization.

The Impact of Climatic Conditions on Early Civilization

Even after the glaciation period, which lasted for thousands of years, conditions eventually warmed up, becoming wetter and more hospitable about 11,000 years ago. Despite this improved environment, it still took another 5,000 years before civilization as we know it started to develop. Civilizations require a confluence of factors, and such conditions do not frequently align on Earth.

Factors contributing to the delay in developing civilization include: the availability of resources, technological development, and social organization. Each of these elements needed to mature independently and then support one another for true civilization to arise. Early humans lacked the infrastructure, tools, and social structure necessary for sustained, large-scale cooperation and innovation.

Conclusion

The late start of human civilization can be attributed to a combination of survival challenges, gradual knowledge accumulation, and significant climatic conditions. As we continue to explore our past, we will likely uncover more about the factors that influenced early human development.