There are many factors that go into creating Intelligence, we think.  Humanity could be a freak of nature, an accident, for all we know.  But let us consider a world in which the dice were rolled, and came up with two separate species evolving Intelligence, eventually having two civilizations of two different species!!  Let us explore this world more.
 

        1 Million years ago- The Kurile Current shifts farther north, allowing the warmer Kuro Shio to flow along the entire cost of the Japanese Islands.  A rain forest climate similar to that of the Pacific Northwest develops, along with what could be called the world's richest fishery right at the coast.  In response, a native species of Bears has moved to live closer to the shore, depending on the abundant fish for the majority of their diet.  During the winter, they make use of natural caves along the coast.
        50 Thousand years ago- A very primitive culture has developed in the Aqua-Bears.  They have developed into small, family based clans that work together, under the command of the Alpha Male.  In addition to this social change, the Aqua-Bears themselves have evolved a 'sixth' finger that acts as a thumb, and use their hands to form symbols, part of a primitive language.
        40 Thousand years ago- The Aqua-Bears have lost most of their body hair, and have stream lined their body.  Their hand language has become more detailed, with few sounds as most communication is done hunting
under the water.  Tools to help with capturing fish have begun to be made.  Winter is the only season that the Aqua-Bears spend a large amount of time out of the water, still hibernating despite the fact that the temperature does not drop that much.  Hibernation is now a result of the fish migrating to a different area during the Winter.
         35 Thousand years ago- Agriculture starts for the first time in the Aqua-Bear culture.  Before going into Hibernation, mushrooms are specially planted in the cave to provide some food during the Hibernation, and when Spring comes.  Other plants are attempted, with some success, but the mushrooms are used the most.
         30 Thousand years ago- Contact is made between the Aqua-Bears and the Humans, or the Under-Dwellers and the Small Pups, as they call each other.  Because of the different ways of living, there is little competition except along the coast.  The introduction of the Bow and Arrow to the Humans allow them to secure the woodlands, allowing the coast to remain Aqua-Bear.
         20 Thousand years ago to 5 Thousand years ago- The Aqua-Bear culture continues to develop.  A counting system based on 12 develops, although math is something rarely used and remains primitive.  Pictograph writing also develops, putting down the silent hand symbols that have been used for thousands of years.  Religion starts, a belief in one supreme goddess that is the creator of all living things, and the many other minor gods and goddesses.  Despite the goddess being the supreme creator, Males are still the dominate of the two genders.

Continue to Part II.

Back to the Main Page.