Chapter 1 Review

The Ancient World Chapter 1, Section 1 (pages 8-13) Geography and History The Ancient World Chapter 1, Section 1 (pages 8-13)

Vocabulary history – the written / recorded events of people prehistory – the period of time in the past before writing was invented archaeologists – scientists who examine objects to learn about past people and cultures oral tradition – stories passed down by word of mouth

What is the Iceman? What were scientists able to learn about him by studying his body and possessions?

Bulleted Notes Frozen body found in Alps by hikers in 1991 Had been covered with snow and ice for thousands of years Clothing and tools also found at discovery site Scientists used clues from body, clothes and tools to determine he had lived about 5000 years ago Community skilled in sewing Copper ax – first metal used by Europeans (about 4000 BC)

How do archaeologists learn about what life was like in prehistoric times?

Bulleted Notes Use clues that are not pieces of writing Look closely at objects from past Try to figure out what objects can tell us about the people who used and created them Example: Size of spear points can suggest size of game (bigger point = bigger game)

How is a historian’s work different from the work of an archaeologist?

Bulleted Notes Historians do not rely on objects for clues Historians read what was written (written records) by people from the past to learn about what life for them was like Also read what different societies wrote about each other to get a variety of perspectives / information

How do oral traditions help historians even if they may not be completely accurate?

Bulleted Notes Oral histories still convey important information about a civilization from the past Teach about family histories (parents, grandparents, etc.) Facts about beliefs may be mixed in with fictitious characters or heroes Things that the people from that time thought were important are often part of the stories

How are geography and history often linked to each other How are geography and history often linked to each other? Give an example.

Bulleted Notes What someone’s life is like often depends on what the land around where they live is like Egypt would not have developed as it did, where it did, if not for the great farming soil created by the floods of the Nile river Plenty of crops = time for people to do other things to help the civilization grow and develop Good soil = success in Egypt

Vocabulary nomads – people who had no single, settled home; they moved around to places where they were sure they would find food fertile – soil that contains the substances that plants need to grow domesticate – taming wild animals

What was life like in the Old Stone Age and New Stone Age? Old Stone Age Life New Stone Age Life Did not know how to farm Hunted animals Gathered roots, berries, leaves, seeds Used stone tools to make weapons to hunt and cut meat Later began to hunt in groups – cooperating in hunting Moved around to follow / find food sources Not everyone became “New Stone Agers” at once – old stone age societies existed until 1900s in places Began to grow their own food No longer nomadic Still depended on stone tools women responsible for gathering plants and seeds and planting and harvesting Men were usually hunters

What made some places better for farming than others? Some places had soil that was more fertile than others More light = better farming Warmth (long springs and summers) = better farming Consistent water / gentle rains

Why did the kinds of plants grown by early farmers look very different from the plants we grow today? Early farmers carefully chose the seeds and roots from the biggest and best tasting plants to use for the next round of planting Over time the size of the plants that were grown increased because of the careful selection of seeds Example = early corn cobs were only 2 to 3 inches in length but today they can be up to 8 to 12 inches

How did the domestication of animals in the New Stone Age change how people lived? First domesticated animal may have been dogs Dogs were helpful in hunting Taming sheep, cows, and pigs = meat, wool, skins, and milk Breeding carefully helped develop more gentle animals that were more easily controlled than wild animals Many could help humans work by carrying / pulling heavy loads (cattle, camels, horses, donkeys)

Vocabulary irrigation – a network of canals to supply water from another place surplus – having more of something than you need artisan – workers who are skilled at making specific items (baskets, leather good, tools, pottery, cloth, etc.) civilization – a society that has cities, a central government run by official leaders, and workers who specialize in various jobs social classes – groups of people in a society who have similar backgrounds, wealth, and ways of living The Bronze Age – the period of time beginning around 3000 B.C. people learned how to separate copper and how to mix copper with tin to make tools, weapons, helmets, and shields Smelting copper video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uHc4Hirexc

What were some of the effects of having a surplus of food? People could stay in one place Store food to be used at another time Families got larger since more kids could be fed Larger families = greater population growth over the course of 3000 years, the world’s population grew by around 50,000,000 people due to farming Settlements grew larger People could switch from farming to other kinds of work (development of artisans)

What was needed for the development of a city? Rich soil that would allow for a surplus of food to be grown Reliable source of drinking water Materials to construct shelters Rivers like the Tigris, Euphrates, Huang He, and Indus made good locations for cities to develop since the soil near these rivers is rich in nutrients

How were cities different than farming villages? Larger Wide variety of occupations Governments were developed to help create and enforce rules and provide services Public buildings the storage of surplus grain for worship For buying and selling goods

How did trade help civilizations to spread? Traders took valuable items to faraway cities Items were traded for food and goods wanted/needed at home Around 3500 B.C. – wheel + axle invented Carts with wheels allowed goods to be moved to and from more distant places Merchant ships expanded trade as well People came in to contact with many different people as goods were traded tools and ideas were spread from place to place

Why did social classes develop? Increased trade = increased prosperity (wealth) to cities Each person was part of a group of people with similar backgrounds, wealth, and ways of doing things Social group depended on wealth, knowledge, leadership, and special skills

What were the different social classes? King = most powerful Priests (religion) / nobles (government officials and military officers) artisans / small traders / merchants common workers (no special skills) / farmers = least powerful