Writing into the day

• What is history?

• Can history be argued? How?

• Can history be changed?

• Who writes history?

• How many continents are there? How do you know this?

AFRUASIA

What is a continent?

How many Continents are there?

Definition of a Continent• “One of the six or seven great divisions of land

on the Globe.” -Webster's Online• One of seven large land masses on the earth’s

surface” –6th grade textbook.• “A continent is one of several large landmasses

on Earth. They are generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria, with seven regions commonly regarded as continents – they are (from largest in size to smallest): Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.” -Wikipedia

Definition of a Continent Continued…

• Wikipedia goes on to say ”Conventionally, Continents are understood to be large, continuous, discrete masses of land, ideally separated by expanses of water... The narrowest meaning of continent is that of a continuous area of land or mainland, with the coastline and any land boundaries forming the edge of the continent.”

Wait a minute, lets count again…

• If we follow the rule of thumb for definition of a continent, there would be around three, maybe four (Still not sure about Antarctica).

• So why do you think we are insistent on dividing the world into seven distinct continents?

So if there isn’t a physical divide, how about a cultural divide? In

modern times, we have intentionally divided the world into

distinct regions, not based on physical features, but cultural

features. Why? White Europeans largely drew these lines, mostly to divide between them and “others.”

So what is the point?

• Do we set up these “boundaries” to make distinctions between geographical regions, or race, culture, and religion?

• Do we consider Asia and Africa “exotic” or “isolated” because of this divide?

• Instead of emphasizing the interconnectedness of the world, we emphasize its divisons.

• Did you know that there were trade routes connecting Europe, Africa and Asia over 1500 years ago?

• Why do we think of Africa and Asia as so remote and foreign?

Thoughts?

• Can you see how looking at something that you thought you understood in a deeper way can change your perspective?

• How often do we take accepted knowledge for granted? How often do we read lies/untruths in our newspapers, the internet, and even our textbooks, and don’t realize it?

The first Humans were in Africa

• 2.5 million years ago in the Paleolithic period

• In Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, on the Continent of Africa

Started moving up and out

• By 750,000 years ago, people started moving out of Africa, up the continent and towards the Middle East and Europe

• This was led by a need for food

• Still hunter gatherers

Then to China!

• China by circa 600,000 years ago

• Lantian Man and Peking Man are remains of humans from the Paleolithic Age

Then Through Europe!

• People had reached Britain by 250, 000 years ago

• The Venus of Willendorf is a Paleolithic statue that was found in Austria, dated about 25,000 years ago.

Then to Australia

• Australia by 60,000 years ago

• The earliest cave paintings in the world are located here

Finally…The Americas

• Humans crossed the Siberian land bridge circa 30,000 years ago

• They made their way down through the North America all the way to South America