Unit 1: “Foundations of Civilization” Prehistory-300 B.C. World History Unit 1: “Foundations of Civilization” Prehistory-300 B.C.

The long period of time before people invented writing. Prehistory The long period of time before people invented writing.

History All the time since writing has allowed for written records of the past.

Culture The way of life of a society. Their social structure, government, religion, art, etc.

Hunter Gatherers Pastoral Nomads Nomadic people who move from place to place to find food, shelter, and other necessities. (Pastoral Nomads bring animal herds with them)

Period in prehistory characterized by the use of various stone tools. Stone Age Period in prehistory characterized by the use of various stone tools.

Neolithic (Agricultural) Revolution The period of time during which the introduction of agriculture led people to transition from nomadic to settled life.

Prehistory divided into two main eras… Old Stone Age – Paleolithic Period 2 million B.C. to 10,000 B.C. New Stone Age – Neolithic Period 10,000 B.C. to end of prehistory Both Eras characterized by use of various stone tools.

Old Stone Age – Paleolithic Period Some researchers believe that modern humans existed first at the end of the Old Stone Age – Paleolithic Period.

Nomadic People Moved from place to place to find food. Around 20-30 people per band/group. Hunter and gatherers Men hunted and fished while women and children gathered berries, fruits, nuts, grains, roots, or shellfish. Dependent on environment for survival. Natural shelters, tools and weapons made of stone, bone, or wood. Wood rafts or canoes for water travel.

New Stone Age – Neolithic Period Estimated at about 12,000 years ago. The Neolithic Revolution Big break through that brought about the Neolithic Revolution was……? FARMING!!!

FARMING!! Why is this so important? What did it change? No longer necessary to roam around looking for food. First permanent villages. More time to develop entirely new skills, technologies, religions, entertainment, art, etc. Such dramatic changes that it is called the Neolithic Revolution. First domestication of plants and animals. Realized plants produced seed for next year. Animals could be kept ready for meat, eggs, milk, clothing. Occurred all over the world with different plants and animals. No greater change in the way people lived would take place until the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700’s A.D.

Earliest Villages Farming led to the establishment of villages and to significant advances in technology and culture. Neolithic villages that have been unearthed by archaeologists seem to have had….. Hundreds, even thousands of people. Government (council of elders) or a leader to organize them. Mud brick homes. More personal property, leading to differences in wealth.

New Technologies were necessary for farming life. Seed measurement tools. Calendars for when to plant and harvest. Weapons to protect their crops from raiders who’s crops hadn’t done very well. (Axes, arrow heads, etc.) Tilling tools Use of oxen or water buffalo to plow fields. Pottery to store crops and water in and to cook with.

Wrap up question????? Why was the change to farming such a dramatic step in world history? No longer necessary to roam around looking for food. First permanent villages. More time to develop entirely new skills, technologies, religions, entertainment, art, etc.

Civilization

Production of more than what is needed. Surplus Production of more than what is needed.

Belief in more than one god. Polytheism Belief in more than one god.

A skilled craftsman. (carver, bricklayer, metal worker, potter, etc.) Artisan A skilled craftsman. (carver, bricklayer, metal worker, potter, etc.)

Cultural Diffusion The spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one people to another.

Beginnings of Civilization The establishment of villages symbolized a huge step in human development. More organization of people. Technological advances. More social complexities in life.

Factors which influenced the formation of the first civilizations. All situated near major rivers which provided…. A steady water supply. Transportation Animals for food which were drawn to the water. Most importantly…..good farmland! Flooding rivers would spread new fertile silt across the valleys renewing the soil and keeping it fertile. In these fertile river valleys, farmers were able to produce surpluses of food. Why is a surplus of food the key to any civilization forming?

First cities began to form as people gained the opportunity to work at jobs other than farming. If you have to worry about finding food for every meal of every day for you and your family, would you really care about things like art, culture, government, etc? Cities are the main feature of civilizations. First civilizations arose independently in a number of river valleys.

Four of the first major River Valley Civilizations… Sumer - between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Egypt - along the Nile river in Africa. The Indus Civilization - along the Indus river in India. The Yellow River (Shang) Civilization – along the Huang (Yellow) river in China. (The first civilizations in the Americas didn’t develop until much after the River Valley Civilizations.)

Libyan Desert

7 basic features that define civilizations…

Organized Government Complex Religions Job Specialization Brought coordination to workers efforts. Complex Religions Polytheism mostly, appealed to gods who they believed controlled everyday events. Sacrificed everything from crops to other humans, including children. Job Specialization Skilled artisans, metal workers (copper then bronze), bricklayers, soldiers, merchants, singers/dancers, storytellers. Social Classes Different job importance leads to different classes of people. (Priests usually on top, slaves on the bottom)

Arts and architecture Expression of talents, beliefs, values, power. Public works projects Irrigation systems, roads, bridges, defensive walls. Writing Key to organization/communication. First writing systems sprang up at different places in different times. Pictographs at first, which became more complex over time, requiring specially trained scribes to keep the records.

Environmental Impacts on civilizations… Fertile soil needed to grow crops. Rain necessary to sustain crops. Stone, timber, and metals necessary resources to supply the building and technology needs of the civilization.

Cultural Diffusion As different civilizations began to interact through migration, trade, and warfare, new ideas and skills began to spread from one place to another.

City States and Empires Ancient rulers began gaining more power and conquering lands around their cities. This made them into a city-state. Empires Ambitious and powerful rulers began conquering multiple cities and villages, creating the first empires.

City First Civilizations City and surrounding villages/territories. City-State Multiple cities and their territories controlled by one ruler. Empire