The Origin of Civilizations

Highlights of the Paleolithic Era Time of 1st hominids (3 million years ago) to Agricultural Revolution (c. 8000 BCE) By 12,000 BCE, modern humans were established on six continents. Modern human populations (homo sapiens) spread gradually from Africa since c.120,000 BCE.

Behaviorally Modern Humans Rapid growth in intelligence and language capacity. Racial differentiation. Complex tool-making and development of culture. 50,000 YA Today In the Beginning... Homo Sapiens Sapiens Physically modern humans. Began migration out of Africa. Dependence on more sophisticated tools. 200,000 YA Archaic Homo Sapiens Brain size approaches that of modern Humans. Coexisted w/ Neanderthals. May have used earliest forms of language. 500,000 YA Time Homo Erectus Approached size of modern humans. More advanced tools; basic stone axes and knives. Early hunter-gather society. 1.5 Million YA Homo Habilis First use of basic stone tools (flint flakes). Primarily carnivorous. First completely non-tree dweller. 2.5 Million YA Australopithecus Famous “Lucy” fossil found. Primarily fruit eater, but may have been omnivorous. No evidence of tool use. 3.5 Million YA Ardipithecus Shared common ancestor with Chimpanzee. First primate to walk fully upright (partially arboreal). Herbivorous. 4.5 Million YA 5 Million YA

Migrations of Homo sapiens Siberia 40,000 years ago Europe 40,000 years ago North America 12,000-30,000 years ago Southwest Asia 100,000 years ago Oceania 1600 B.C.E.-500 C.E. Human Origins 200,000-250,000 years ago Australia as many as 60,000 years ago Chile 12,000-13 ,000 years ago Possible coastal routes of human migration Possible landward routes of human migration Migrations in Oceania

What innovations & adaptations happened in the Paleolithic Era? Control Fire Hide-Based Clothing Stone & Bone Tools Spoken Language (not writing)

Life for Paleolithic Peoples Nomadic or semi-nomadic No accumulation of wealth or property No social classes. Gender equality: Men hunted, women were actively involved in food gathering; labor sharing common.

What is the significance of the Paleolithic era in world history? Migration across the globe Began reflection on questions of life & death Foundation for all other subsequent human history

How might our attitudes toward the modern world influence our assessment of Paleolithic societies? Superiority of modern world Use as criticism of modern life

The Last Ice Age 70,000 BCE – 10,000 BCE

The Neolithic Revolution (8000 BCE – 3500 BCE) A.K.A Agricultural Revolution. Gradual domestication of plants and animals in Southwest Asia. (Fertile Crescent) Nomadic peoples become sedentary. Populations increase rapidly

Technological Advancements Wheeled Vehicles Makes labor easier, and enhances trade Metallurgy Working of metals for tools & weapons. Irrigation & Plows Food surplus  pop. growth!

Between about 12,000 and 1,000 BCE, farming Eastern North America China Fertile Crescent Nile valley West Africa Mesoamerica Ethiopia New Guinea Amazonia Andes Between about 12,000 and 1,000 BCE, farming appeared INDEPENDENTLY in a number of places, possibly in all of the places marked in red on the map.

Dog (15,000 BCE) Sheep (11,000 BCE) Goat (10,000 BCE) Pig (9000 BCE) Cow (8000 BCE) Cat (7000 BCE) Chicken (6000 BCE) Donkey (5000 BCE) Water Buffalo (4000 BCE) Horse (4000 BCE)

The Agricultural Revolution Based on what you have learned today, why do you think the development of agriculture occurred around the same time in several different places?

Theories Population increase Climate Change Migration of big game animals Shift in the distribution and growing patterns of wild grains Experimentation by Hunter-gatherers

Advantages/Disadvantages of Agriculture Steady food supplies Greater populations Leads to occupational specialization (new jobs like soldiers, politicians, etc.) Disadvantages Heavily dependant on certain food crops (failure = starvation) Disease from close contact with animals, humans, & waste Social inequality (class), & patriarchy

Social Structure of Traditional Societies Ruling Elite: King, court, religious establishment Aristocracy: Warrior class, landholding elite Middle Class: Merchants, craftsmen, artisans Peasantry: Farmers, laborers, servants Underclass: Slaves, untouchables

Using information gathered from digs, why do some archaeologists believe that women were the first farmers?

Theories Women were usually the gatherers and therefore knew the growing cycles of many plants, etc….. Women did not leave the temporary settlement to go hunt, therefore had more time to experiment with plants

Sedentary Farming leads to development of towns Catal Huyuk - Modern Turkey First settled: c. 7000 BCE

Jericho - Modern Israel First settled: c. 7000 BCE

Anyang - Modern China First settled: c. 7000 BCE

Why is the "Neolithic Revolution" a turning point in human history??

Domestication of Plants and Animals Farming Population Intensification Surplus Food Specialization Complex Society, also known as CIVILIZATION