From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations 1 From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations

Chapter Overview Getting Started Is Always Hard Human Development and Change The Neolithic Revolution Agriculture and Change Nomadic Societies

FIGURE 1.1 Crouching against a wall to shelter the first sparks from wind, a Neolithic woman spins a dried yucca stalk against a much-used fire-starter to generate heat that will kindle a fire on the dried plant material she has placed under the fire-starting stick. FIGURE 1.1 Crouching against a wall to shelter the first sparks from wind, a Neolithic woman spins a dried yucca stalk against a much-used fire-starter to generate heat that will kindle a fire on the dried plant material she has placed under the fire-starting stick.

TIMELINE 2.5 Million B.C.E. to 10,000 B.C.E.

Precursors of Mankind

Evolution 2 From biological to cultural

Human Organizations 1st = Hunter-gatherer bands 2nd = agricultural communities – villages 3rd = pastoral/ civilized communities Role of environmental pressures/changes Evolving technology… The narrative / story that makes it history.

Evolution of human society Note the time lapse in the previous charts: 1st million years gives us a tool creator 1.1 million more we get Homo Sapiens Sapiens 110,000 years gives us farming 2,000 years gives us the first town 4,500 years gives us the first civilization Why the increased pace of change?

Getting Started Is Always Hard Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age) Rise of humankind until 12,000 B.C.E. Homo sapiens by 10,000 B.C.E. Larger brain Tools, weapons Homo sapiens sapiens From Africa Language gene

FIGURE 1.2 In Lascaux, France, in 1940, four boys happened upon a long-hidden cave filled with thousands of complex and beautiful Stone Age paintings like this none. Most of the paintings are of animals, some of which were extinct by the time they were painted. No one knows for sure why Stone Age artists painted these pictures, but they remain a powerful reminder of the sophistication of so-called primitive peoples. FIGURE 1.2 In Lascaux, France, in 1940, four boys happened upon a long-hidden cave filled with thousands of complex and beautiful Stone Age paintings like this none. Most of the paintings are of animals, some of which were extinct by the time they were painted. No one knows for sure why Stone Age artists painted these pictures, but they remain a powerful reminder of the sophistication of so-called primitive peoples.

Human Development and Change Social organization Equality between hunters/gatherers Slow population growth Better tool use Migration to new climates Fire Animal skins Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)

VISUALIZING THE PAST Representations of Women in Early Art

Map 1. 1 The Spread of Human Populations, c. 10,000 B. C. E Map 1.1 The Spread of Human Populations, c. 10,000 B.C.E. As the map indicates, Homo sapiens sapiens first emerged in a single core area in east Africa and then migrated over long periods of time north to the Mediterranean and Europe, east to Asia, and then ultimately across the seas to the Americas and Oceania. Map 1.1 The Spread of Human Populations, c. 10,000 B.C.E. As the map indicates, Homo sapiens sapiens first emerged in a single core area in east Africa and then migrated over long periods of time north to the Mediterranean and Europe, east to Asia, and then ultimately across the seas to the Americas and Oceania.

The Neolithic Revolution Invention of agriculture Lower yield from hunting Animals domesticated Dogs, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle Neolithic revolution Agriculture developed alongside hunting and gathering Early resistance

Map 1.2 The Spread of Agriculture Agriculture appears to have spread in ways similar to human populations, but from a Middle Eastern rather than African epicenter. And in important cases, particularly in the Americas, a wide range of staple crops were known in only some parts of the world until Columbus’s voyage in the late-15th century brought together the civilizations of the Americas and Afro-Euroasia. Map 1.2 The Spread of Agriculture Agriculture appears to have spread in ways similar to human populations, but from a Middle Eastern rather than African epicenter. And in important cases, particularly in the Americas, a wide range of staple crops were known in only some parts of the world until Columbus’s voyage in the late-15th century brought together the civilizations of the Americas and Afro-Euroasia.

Agriculture and Change Tribes to villages Irrigation, defense Organization of labor Çatal Hüyük c. 7000 B.C.E., southern Turkey Large complex Agriculture, some trade Shrines

FIGURE 1.3 Excavation of the ancient settlement at Çatal Hüyük, in what is now southern Turkey. Movement within the settlement was mainly across the roofs and terraces of the houses. Because each dwelling had a substantial storeroom for food, the settlement was often the target of attacks by outsiders. The houses were joined together to provide protection from such attacks; when the outside entrances were barricaded, the complex was transformed into a fortress. FIGURE 1.3 Excavation of the ancient settlement at Çatal Hüyük, in what is now southern Turkey. Movement within the settlement was mainly across the roofs and terraces of the houses. Because each dwelling had a substantial storeroom for food, the settlement was often the target of attacks by outsiders. The houses were joined together to provide protection from such attacks; when the outside entrances were barricaded, the complex was transformed into a fortress.

Agriculture and Change Bronze Age Metal replaces stone tools. Agricultural significance Metalworking as specialized trade Woodworking more elaborate Craft manufacturing Wheel c. 4000 B.C.E. Advancements in commerce, war

Nomadic Societies Nomads Roaming herders on fringes of civilizations Indo-Europeans c. 1500 B.C.E. Xionghu (Huns) From 4th century B.C.E. Central Asia

Nomadic Societies Nomadic Society and Culture Seasonal travel Animals Harsh environment Animals Horses Violence Perceived as cruelty Band of 30–15 people Strong men as leaders; patriarchy

Nomadic Societies Nomads and Civilizations Invasions Change population structure Political leadership Often peaceful, mutually beneficial relationship with agricultural societies Trade

The Idea of Civilization in World Historical Perspective Fundamental differences Civilized vs. "savage," "inferior" What makes one uncivilized Greeks: barbarians = "those who cannot speak Greek" Cultural attributes (language, dress, manners) Shift did not happen until 18th–19th centuries.