Sedentary Humans

Homo Sapiens are shown by archaeological evidence to be a nomadic species descended from those hominids who migrated out of Africa; but what if this migration didn't happen? What if early Humans had remained very close together, forming great cities with close villages with in perhaps eyes distance from the edge of those cities? What if mankind had began a slow crawl across the globe from one point in Africa?

Sedentary Humans is a scenario that seeks to explore that question; what sort of culture and technology would we have? Would we have a shared language with dialects akin to those found in large cities; like Brooklyner to American English? We shall see. In this scenario we are going way back (and perhaps on a limb) to Homo habilis. Homo habilis was a woodland dwelling species that while possessing tool use was also hunted by large felines. This predation lead to a population dispersal to escape predation and gave rise to increased genetic diversity. In this timeline, Homo habilis, like it's decedents in OTL, begins to use it's tools for constructing barriers between it's self and those what would hunt them. Rather then run they stay, and in light of no archaeological evidence that these beings used tools for hunting took on a method of dissuasion when it came to combating predators- first with barriers and then like a great herd by shouting and making a lot of noise as a large group to ward off predators. This effectively sets Humanity on the path of being a sedentary people with speech developing in these fortified and close communities. Cloths and Fire coming much latter in this timeline then ours as this Humanity is slower to reach foreign ecology and being suited to the environments of native Tanzania have less need to develop protective wear; till they expand into 'regions unknown'.

Key Terms
These are terms used in this scenario;
 * Huma - Huma is the present name used for the civilization of Sedentary Humanity- at least the first. For you see, just as City States in OTL where very independent so too are those of these early Humans. The Barrier and the pyschology of 'inside safe/outside not safe' lends to this. City States will rise fairly early on causing an early divide but not one that is any different from that seen in OTL with Mesapotamia- shared language, and faith being exhibited even while the cities are free yet rivaled due in part in this timeline due to suspecion of that behind the barrier. If the enviroment and it's resources permit we may see a situation akin to China and the Great Wall emerge; where in once rivaled states will be united under an imperial system and a new Barrier- larger then those of the city states and protecting all of Humanity is built and like with the Great Wall expanded. If this comes to pass Huma will be the name we shall use for this Empire.

Timeline
(What follows like Alternate History scenarios is speculation built form an examination of early human civilization and urban trends and is likely just one of many scenarios using this concept)

Early History

 * The First City - The First City isn't of stone, but of wood for the Humans as they are in this era have cleared land and expanded their barriers leaving some in place should forward barriers fail. Fruit bearing trees dot the clearing between dwellings with matriarch and several prominent males making up the community's leadership. Fitted with some useful tools of bone a band of males departs though a tunnel beneath the barrier with one end of it being covered by a log as they depart- these men are scavengers looking for carrion, fruit, herbs, and other useful materials from beyond the barrier to return to the community. They know that beyond the barrier they are at risk, now walking the land of the hunters. They are to this society what Warriors are to Homo Sapians in OTL- brave souls going to face danger for their community.
 * Early Invention - Speech develops earlier among Humans due to the closeness of these communities, though Music developed earlier. With speech comes extended expression and with that expression complex ideas. Clubs, being capable of beating off predators and in construction (like a Hammer) comes earlier as well.
 * Complex Cities - Being close like a herd is security, and housing takes on a communal nature with many generations under a single roof. But this close living has it's downsides; sanitation naturally developed for just as rodents will move refuse out of it's living space so to do these Humans, with some of it being used to enforce early barriers- but such methods only increase sickness. Humans will need to develop better means of making their settlements providing behind the barrier and to keep the stench out.

Recommendations & Discussions
This is a section for other Alternate History Wikians who are not comfortable making a direct edit but have a great idea may present that idea for I truly look forward to the insight and discussion with other members.

Forming Huma
Huma as explained in the Keywords section is a planned state to exist in this timeline and is also, like Sumaria, the term used to describe the various city states. This is a section for ideas regarding Huma's formation, culture, and more. One can in a way think of it as Africa's China (except in a world without China and one where Humanity may look slightly different then that of OTL as genetics drift to adapt to such conditions as those in Huma).