Human Beginnings and Characteristics of Civilizations Early Man Human Beginnings and Characteristics of Civilizations

Pre-History What is the difference between history and pre-history? Pre-history – no written records (5,000+) Based on theories, hypothesis, edu. Guesses Archeologist – excavate and study early human settlements Artifacts – human-made remains/objects Fossil – evidence of early life preserved in rocks Carbon dating – determines age

African Beginnings Archeologist believe that early man emerged in Africa Over time, Early people left East Africa and  migrated north   and east to   Europe and Asia “Out of Africa”

Human Ancestors Homo Sapiens 1. Neanderthals Developed religious belief and rituals 2. Cro-Magnons Advance skill in spoken language and hunting The 1st intelligent hominid (human- like primate) was australopithecus Walked up right Opposable thumbs Homo Erectus Used tools First to use fire Developed spoken language Lucy (1974)

The Paleolithic (Old Stone) Age Hunter-Gatherers Nomadic Depended on environment for survival Spoken language, clothing, fire  

Religious Beliefs Animism Cave and rock paintings Stone statues Belief that spirits lived in living things Cave and rock paintings Stone statues Burial practices

Early Man’s Tools Knives, axes, scrapers Hammers, needles, spears Harpoons, clubs Shields, armor Blowguns, bows and arrows Kayaks Snowhouses Canoes Poisons snake venoms and hemlock Preservation of food freeze, dry, seal

The Neolithic Revolution Massive Human Changes

Farming changes everything… With the ability to farm, most people settled down into villages. Acquire personal property Develop new technologies Develop calendars The populations expanded and eventually villages grew into cities Increased warfare Out of this grew the 1st civilizations Division of labor

Irrigation systems Irrigation – ditches that carry water to their fields and allowed them to produce a surplus of crops. Helped cultivate more land Produce more crops Helped people learn new trades in a village

Key Features of Civilizations

Cities Cities 1st cities emerged as farmers produced surplus food to support growing population

Organized Government Bureaucracy oversaw needs: Irrigation projects Steady food supply Laws Defense taxes

Religions Social Classes Polytheistic People appealed to gods whom they believed controlled natural forces and human activities Pre-historic religions centered around animal spirits and nature People were ranked according to the job they performed, their wealth and power

Polytheism vs. monotheism Polytheism – belief in many gods Monotheism – belief in one god

Arts and Architecture Writing Art and buildings expressed the beliefs and values of their creators began with priests who needed to record information about rituals and prayers

Civilization and Change Cultural Diffusion is the spread of ideas, customs and technologies from one people to another. This occurred through migration, trade and warfare

Early Civilizations Nile River in Egypt Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in Middle East Indus and Ganges Rivers in India Yellow and Yangtze Rivers in China - Rivers renewed soil, brought animals, regular water supply and transportation