Pronunciation: [ˈɜːlɪ mˈan] (IPA) 
The spelling of the words "early man" is straightforward. The first word, "early," is pronounced /ˈɜːli/. The vowel sound in this word is similar to the "ur" sound in the word "fur." The second word, "man," is pronounced /mæn/. The vowel sound in this word is the same as the "a" sound in the word "cat." When combined, the two words describe the prehistoric human beings who lived before the advent of civilization.
Early man refers to the earliest known stage of human existence, encompassing the time period when anatomically modern humans like Homo sapiens began to emerge and develop primitive cultures. It is generally believed to have started around two million years ago and lasted until the Neolithic Revolution, roughly 10,000 years ago.
During this period, early man relied heavily on hunting, gathering, and simple tool-making to sustain their lives. They inhabited various regions across the world, adapting to diverse environments such as forests, grasslands, and mountains. Early man was typically nomadic, constantly moving in search of food and shelter.
The defining characteristic of early man was their use of crude stone tools, initially crafted by striking rocks together to create sharp edges for cutting, scraping, or piercing. These tools were essential for obtaining food, defending against predators, and crafting other materials. As early man mastered tool-making, their ability to survive and flourish grew exponentially.
Early man gradually developed the ability to control fire, which played a fundamental role in their existence. Fire provided warmth, protection from predators, a method for cooking food, and the ability to alter their environment through controlled burns.
Early man also demonstrated basic forms of social organization, living in small groups or bands consisting of family members and close kin. They communicated through language, allowing for collaboration, sharing knowledge, and transmitting cultural traditions.
The study of early man provides valuable insights into human evolution, technological advancements, and the origins of human civilization.
The term "early man" is a compound consisting of the word "early" and the noun "man".
The word "early" originated from the Old English word "ærlīce", meaning "at morning, early" or "betimes". It is related to the Old High German word "erlīcho", which shares a similar meaning. Both of these words can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*erlīka-", derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*aus-" or "*aust-", denoting "dawn" or "to shine".
The word "man" comes from the Old English noun "mann", meaning "person". It is cognate with the Old Frisian word "man", the Old High German word "man", and the Gothic word "manna", all of which hold similar meanings.
