The Stone Ages Paleolithic Era Neolithic Era

Paleolithic Era OLD STONE AGE 4.5 million years ago Hominids emerged Nomadic; Hunter/Gatherers

Neolithic Era NEW STONE AGE 10,000 years ago Neolithic Revolution = Agricultural Revolution Shift from food gathering to food producing

Neolithic Era Included domestication: taming wild animals to ensure a constant food source

Neolithic Era So, what’s the big deal?

The Birth of Civilization

Birth of Civilization Farming develops in many places: Americas,Africa, China, Various crops

Birth of Civilization Prosperous farming villages, food surpluses, & new technology lead to the rise of civilizations Civilizations form all over the world; most are farming settlements in river valleys

Birth of Civilization Four of the earliest settlements are known as the Cradles of Civilization

Cradles of Civilization Tigris/Euphrates Rivers: Middle East (mostly Iraq) Nile River: Africa (Egypt)

Cradles of Civilization Indus River: South Asia (Pakistan/India) Huang He (Yellow) River: East Asia (China)

The 5 Characteristics of Civilization How Civilization Develops

Characteristics Civilization: a complex culture featuring: Advanced Cities Specialized Workers Complex Institutions Record Keeping Improved Technology

Advanced Cities Cities with larger populations rise, becoming centers of trade

Specialized Workers Due to food surpluses, fewer people have to farm; time to refine skills & specialize Artisans arise; make goods that display certain skill and artistic ability Job specialization leads to social classes

What are some examples of specialized workers in ancient cultures? Farmers Merchants Priests Potters Scribes Teachers Soldiers Metalworkers Weavers Gov’t officials Traders

Complex Institutions Institutions: government, religion, the economy Governments establish laws, maintain order Temples are centers for religion, government and trade

Record Keeping Need to preserve & pass on information Professional record keepers (scribes) record taxes and laws

Record Keeping Scribes invent cuneiform, a system of writing in about 3,000BC Priest record myths: traditional stories of how earth was formed (found in every civilization)

Improved Technology New tools & techniques to solve problems & make work easier Irrigation: Less dependency on rainfall Use ditches to flood fields; dams to control water

Improved Technology More time allows for more creativity People replace copper & stone with bronze to make tools, weapons, etc…

Improved Technology Search for metals leads to long distance trade Use animals for transportation

Cultural Diffusion The exchange of goods and ideas when cultures comes in contact How would this improve the lives of people?