Humans Try to Control Nature

Early Humans First appear about 50,000 years ago Nomads - highly mobile people who moved from place to place searching for new sources of food. Hunter-Gatherers - nomadic groups whose food supply depends on hunting animals and collecting plant foods.

Early Advances in Technology and Art 40,000-15,000 BCE Technological revolution - people used stone, bone, and wood to fashion more than 100 different tools. Art consisted of jewelry, sculptures, and cave paintings.

Neolithic / Agricultural Revolution About 10-12,000 BC, Agriculture is discovered by accident People may have begun to notice new crops growing at regular camping spots Shift from food-gathering to food-producing. Causes: Change in climate (warmer = longer growing season), and population growth (forced hunter-gathers to seek out new food sources) Farming provides a steady source of food.

Early Farming Method Slash-and-burn farming - cut trees or grasses and burned them to clear a field. The ashes would fertilize the soil. Farmers planted crops for a year or two and then moved on to a different area.

Domestication of Animals The taming of animals. Emerged over a long period, began by driving wild animals into natural enclosures, then constructing enclosures in which to keep animals Examples - horses, dogs, goats, and pigs. Another consistent source of food. Both nomads and farmers domesticated animals

Farming Leads to Permanent Settlements Africa - Nile river = wheat, barley and other crops. China - Yellow River = millet and later on wild rice. Mexico and Central America = corn, beans and squash. Peru = tomatoes and potatoes. Villages grow and prosper.