Human Origins
Paleolithic
Civilizations
Neolithic
Paleo= old Lithic= stone
Neo= new Lithic= stone
2.5 million years ago
Ended c 8000 BCE
Prehistory
Before recorded time
Group Structure
Bands of 20-30 people
Nomadic
Food Sources
Hunter/Gatherers
Search for food was their main activity
Men hunter large animals
Technology
Stone tools
Flint for a sharp cutting tool was a big breakthrogh
By the end of the era, were making smaller, sharper tools
Needles for sewing
Climate
Some lived in cold climate
Animal skins to stay warm
Protection from available natural shelters, like caves
Eventually learned how to make their own shelters
Some lived in hot climates
Many lived in caves
Needed protection against attacks from large animals
Fire
Discovered it from friction
Scare away wild animals
Keep warm
Cook food
Language and Art
First era to begin to develop a language
Cave Paintings
Lots of animals, few humans
Ice Ages
Periods of extreme cold
Most recent occurred 100,000 years ago
Exposed land bridge from Asia to North America
Learned new skills
How to have a fattier diet
Sturdier shelters
Led to migration
Post- Ice Age, climate warmed, nomads moved to warmer locations
8000 - 4000 BCE
Agricultural Revolution
Domestication of animals (for meat, milk and wool)
Slow switch from hunting/gathering to farming
Produce a constant food supply
Population grows at a faster rate
Southwest Asia c 8000 BCE Northern China c 6000 BCE Nile Valley c 4000BCE Western Hemisphere c 7000-5000 BCE
Communities
Villages with permanent homes
Earliest Communities
Jericho (Israel/Jordan) 8000 BCE
Catalhuyuk (Turkey) 6700-5700 BCE
Shrines
More workers become available
Food surplus
Trade
Specialization of jobs
Roles of men and women change
Technology
Farming tools
Bronze Age (3000-1200 BCE)
4 Great River Valley Civilizations Arise c 3000 BCE
Mesopotamia
India
China
Egypt
Arise at river valleys
Mesopotamia
Fertile land for farming
Fresh water and fish
Encourages easy trade
Technology
Meso= between Potamia= two rivers
Similar Characteristics/ Elements of Civilizations
Government
Religion
Social Structure
Writing and Art
Monarchies
Armies
Control food supplies
Building projects
Explains the forces of nature
Explains humans' role in the eorld
Ceremonies performed by priests
Monarchs claim approval of the gods
Organized into groups
Defined by work, wealth and power
Bottom were the slaves, usually captured from enemies during war
To keep accurate records and record history
Enjoyment
Tigris River
Euphrates River
Fertile Crescent
Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan
Irrigation canals and dams to control seasonal flooding
Food surplus from Agricultural Revolution
Mesopotamian Civilizations
Sumer
Government
Religion
Writing and Art
Social Structure
Location
Oldest cities: Ur, Uruk, and Eridu
Independent city-states due to harsh landscape isolation
Protected by large stone walls
Buildings
Ruler's palace
Temples
Individual rulers
sometimes cities would go to war with each other
Polytheistic
Each god had influence over a different aspect of life
People honored whichever god would help their activity
Ziggurats
Started out with priests ruling with the help of important men
Eventually became monarchies
First kings were probably war heroes
Eventually became hereditary
Upper class was kings, priests, warriors and government officials
Middle class was merchants, farmers, fishers, and artisans (was the biggest group)
Lowest class was the enslaved people, criminals, and people who had debts
Men and women have different roles
Economy
Farmers made up most of the population
Trade was important
Skilled metal workers
The earliest known writing system, Cuneiform
Scribes
Clay tablets for writing
Oldest know written story, The Epic of Gilgamesh
Technology
Were the first to use the wheel
Developed the sailboat for river travel
Studied mathematics and astronomy
The 60 minute hour, the 60 second minute and the 360 degree circle are all Sumerian ideas
12 month calendar