Neolithic Revolution Unit 1, August 30th and 31st

Human Origins in Africa Fossil evidence shows that the earliest humans originated in Africa. Early human’s discoveries helped them survive, grow in numbers, and spread across the globe.

Neolithic revolution and early civilizations The development of agriculture spurred an increase in population and the growth of a settled way of life. New methods for obtaining food and the development of technology laid the foundations for modern civilizations. Scientists who study pre-history: Archaeologists study ancient societies based on artifacts – human-made objects – that are left in the ground and analyzed using carbon dating Anthropologists study culture and a group’s way of life – they rely on bones and other remains Paleontologists study fossils—plant or animal remains preserved in rock

What was life like prior to the Neolithic Revolution? People of the Old Stone Age (Paleolithic Era) were nomads. Nomads wander from place to place, and do not have permanent homes. Nomadic groups whose food supply depends on hunting animals and collecting plant foods are called Hunter-gathers. Hundreds of new tools developed: Spears Digging stick Knives to kill and butcher game Used bones to make needles for sewing

What is the Neolithic revolution? Over 10,000 years ago, some of the women may have scattered seeds near a regular campsite. When they returned the next season, they may have found new crops growing. This discovery would usher in the Neolithic Revolution, or the agricultural revolution—the shift from hunting and gathering, to farming and domestication of animals

Causes of the Neolithic revolution 1. Change in climate was a key factor. Rising temperatures provided longer growing seasons and drier land for cultivating wild grasses. 2. A rich supply of grain helped support a small population boom. 3. As populations slowly rose, hunter- gatherers felt pressure to find new food sources.

Early Faming methods Some groups practiced slash-and- burn farming, in which they cut trees or grasses and burned them to clear a field. The remaining ashes fertilized the soil. Farmers planted crops for a year or two. Then they moved on to another area of land.

Domestication of animals Hunters’ expert knowledge of wild animals likely played a key role in the domestication, or the taming of animals. They tamed horses, dogs, goats, and pigs. Like farming, domestication of animals came slowly.

Effects of agriculture Food Surplus: agricultural produce or a quantity of food grown by a nation in excess of its needs Specialization and Specialists: the act of specializing or pursuing a particular line of study or work; to train in or devote oneself to a particular area of study, occupation, or activity

Social Classes: a status hierarchy in which individuals and groups are classified on the basis of esteem and prestige acquired through economic success and accumulation of wealth i.e. upper class, middle class, working class, lower class) Social Hierarchies and Power Structures: the establishment of a dominance-subordination relationship among higher societies; the way in which power or authority is distributed between people within a group

Ruling Class Middle Class Lower Class/ Laborers As social hierarchies and power structures are emerging, we start to develop this idea of a civilization. What do you think civilization means? Justify your reasons with at least one historical example.

civilization 8 features of a civilization: Writing system Infrastructure – public works like bridges, roads, etc. Government/laws Art/architecture Social classes Organized religion Job specialization Development of cities Civilization – a group of people living and working together for the purposes of creating and organized society