General Historical Terms

B.C. and B.C.E. B.C. B.C. Before Christ Before Christ Years count backwards Years count backwards 4000 B.C. was longer ago than 20 B.C 4000 B.C. was longer ago than 20 B.C B.C.E. Before common era Same thing as B.C. Some scholars do not want to use religious text in history.

A.D. and C.E. A.D. A.D. This does not mean after death This does not mean after death Anno domini Anno domini Year of our Lord Year of our Lord Starts with the year of Christ’s birth Starts with the year of Christ’s birth C.E. Common era Once again the same thing as A.D but without the religious context

Circa Circa is a term used in history to show that something is approximate. This is usually used for a date. Circa is abbreviated as c Circa is a term used in history to show that something is approximate. This is usually used for a date. Circa is abbreviated as c Circa is used quite often due to poor record keeping, and is most often used as a birth date. Circa is used quite often due to poor record keeping, and is most often used as a birth date.

Pre-History

“The Stone Age”  Paleolithic Age – The old stone age, dates from 2.5 million to 8000 B.C.  First use of stone tools  The Ice Age  Neolithic Age – The new stone age, dates from 8000 to 3000 B.C.  Polished stone tools, made pottery, started farming, and domesticated animals

Stone Age Tools Paleolithic toolsNeolithic tools

Homo habilis Lived 2.5 million to 1.5 million B.C. Lived 2.5 million to 1.5 million B.C. Found in Eastern Africa Found in Eastern Africa First to make Stone tools First to make Stone tools Name means “handy man” Name means “handy man”

Homo habilis…

Homo erectus Lived 1.6 million to 30,000 B.C. Lived 1.6 million to 30,000 B.C. Found in Africa, Asia, and Europe Found in Africa, Asia, and Europe First to use Fire First to use Fire Name means “upright man” Name means “upright man”

Homo erectus…

habilis vs. erectus Homo habilis Homo erectus

Neanderthal Man Lived 200,000 to 30,000 B.C. Lived 200,000 to 30,000 B.C. Found in Europe and Southwest Asia Found in Europe and Southwest Asia First to have ritual burials First to have ritual burials Named for first discovery in Neander Valley, Germany Named for first discovery in Neander Valley, Germany

Neanderthal Man… Brain was 1/3 larger than Homo erectus Brain was 1/3 larger than Homo erectus Survived harsh Ice age by living in caves, hence the term “caveman” Survived harsh Ice age by living in caves, hence the term “caveman” Their disappearance remains a mystery Their disappearance remains a mystery Cave in the Neander Valley

Cro-Magnon Man Lived 40,000 to 8,000 B.C. Lived 40,000 to 8,000 B.C. Found in Europe Found in Europe Looked like modern humans Looked like modern humans First to use art First to use art Brain size smaller than Neanderthal Brain size smaller than Neanderthal

Cro-Magnon…

Cro-Magnon… Planned their hunts Planned their hunts Superior hunting skills allowed them to survive and replace the Neandethal Superior hunting skills allowed them to survive and replace the Neandethal Better communication skills aided them in planning their hunts Better communication skills aided them in planning their hunts

Neolithic revolution Probably started by women spreading seeds at a regular campsite Probably started by women spreading seeds at a regular campsite Change in climate may have been a key factor Change in climate may have been a key factor Farming offered a steady source to food and food surplus Farming offered a steady source to food and food surplus Farming led to the first permanent settlements

Neolithic revolution… Slash and burn farming Slash and burn farming Domestication of animals Domestication of animals Increased food can support a increased population Increased food can support a increased population Farming needs labor- large families emerge Farming needs labor- large families emerge