THE NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION

Essential Question: What was the significance of the Neolithic Revolution?

Pre-historic early humans were hunter-gatherers for thousands of years; they hunted animals and collected plant foods

Neolithic Revolution Some hunters and gatherers were advanced, but were never able to develop complex societies because they had to migrate (constantly be on the move) to find food

Neolithic Revolution These early humans who had to move around to find their food were called nomads

Farming changed the way humans lived: Neolithic Revolution Farming changed the way humans lived: Around 8,000 B.C.E. (Before Common Era), the Neolithic Revolution (a revolution in agriculture) occurred: early humans discovered how to farm and domesticate animals

Neolithic Revolution Farming changed the way humans lived: People no longer had to be roaming nomads Food surpluses led to population increases Farming villages became established along river valleys; the rivers offered good soil, irrigation, and sources of drinking water

Neolithic Revolution: Spread of Agriculture The earliest civilizations sprung up around river valleys; the first civilizations were located around Mesopotamia (today’s Middle East region)

Simply put: more food means more people; when there is a steady food supply, people are healthier and have more children

Neolithic Revolution Around 3,000 B.C., some farming villages became complex civilizations; this was the start of cities What characteristics are needed to make people into a “civilization”? ? Advanced cities

Characteristics of Civilizations ? ? ? ? ?

Civilizations must have cities that are centers of trade for large areas One of the first civilizations arose in Sumer, which was part of Mesopotamia

Civilizations must have technologies (knowledge, tools, inventions) that make their lives easier For example, Sumerians melted and mixed copper and tin, which creates bronze; bronze made tools and weapons stronger

Civilizations must have writing in order to keep records of taxes, laws, and trade Sumerian scribes (record keepers) invented a system of writing called cuneiform, a series of wedge-shaped symbols

The abundant food supply enabled people to do other things besides farm; some became artisans, those who made goods (clothes, jewelry, weapons) by hand Civilizations must have specialized workers that do specific jobs; this creates a class system

Civilizations must have complex institutions like government and religion to keep order Temples became the center of both religion and government, as people believed gods governed the cities’ activities

Closure Activity Now that we have defined “civilization”, answer this question: Is the United States a civilization? Give evidence to support your answer.