BECOMING AN ANCESTOR

After a year, I will leave this forest and explore the world. One of my greatest curiosities is related to biodiversity. Studies from this time are very limited; much information has been lost. So, I might actually discover something new, and that increases my anxiety.

"Boss, can we stop? We're tired."

"Soon, endure until we reach the water well."

Since I gave up on the idea of using gnus, the males had to push each cart. Despite having 5 australopithecus in each, due to the wheel's size, it was relatively light. Still, it was slower than if we had an animal pulling.

As the chief, I could ride in a cart and relax, but I also need to be a leader, so I'm pulling the cart with my sisters and mother.

One thing I found very interesting was that my sisters are twins. Like humans, other animals can have twins, and among primates, it's rare but not impossible. Moreover, they are quite intelligent. When they become adults, their intelligence should be higher than most. Currently, they are around 8 to 10 human years old, with an intelligence level of 5 to 7 years, surpassing some adults in the group.

My mother is fairly normal, an adult australopithecus, similar to someone around 35 to 40 human years old, with an intelligence level averaging 7 to 9 years.

After teaching them for a while, their intelligence rose to 7 to 9 human years. Except for some with less or more, most now have this intelligence pattern. I hope it increases even more. If most reach adolescence, perhaps it will be possible to develop a semi-modern society.

"Alright, we're arriving. Let's go!"

"Sigh... finally, couldn't stand running around anymore, and my feet hurt even after putting on these things."

For such a long journey, I prepared some tools to help during the trip, including sandals. Walking barefoot in the savanna is not very pleasant.

"Alright, we've arrived. You can rest now."

Before starting the journey, I explored some areas, including a water well. We're heading west. I hope to reach an area rich in minerals and with fertile land for planting. Despite being a forest, the soil is already dying, and in a few years, nothing will grow there. So, I'm looking for a place that can be used even during the glacial period.

The next glaciation will be the Biber, which should occur only a few hundred thousand years from now. My goals go beyond myself; I intend to create things for future generations.

In just one year, to be more precise, about 6 months, I managed to evolve the normal australopithecus group to the level of the first Homo sapiens, and in some aspects, even better. I wonder if I can evolve them to a pre-modern level. Maybe after I die, they will evolve over time to the same level as modern humans in the early Pleistocene. When the Ice Age begins, they might already be on other planets or have a way to pass through it smoothly. Of course, it could also happen that something occurs, and they stop evolving, but I find it unlikely.

"Set up the camp and light the fire, plant torches around."

Using the carts as shelters and setting up small tents, the first day ended without problems. I hope it continues like this for a long time.

...

It's been two months since we started this journey. What happened? Many things.

Firstly, it's very inefficient to travel with these carts every day. I hope to find an animal to domesticate that can do this soon.

Secondly, the gnus have been completely domesticated. Sometimes we encounter wild gnus, but they've learned not to run away whenever they please.

Thirdly, we often faced a shortage of resources, especially water. But since I prepared well, we spent little time without replenishing. The water jars were made of glass and sealed with a thin leather cover, stored in separate carts, while other carts held food. We had resources for two weeks stored, and whenever it ran out, we found a place to stay and restock.

And fourthly, we arrived at a river, a very large one.