Unit One: Lecture 1.2 Geography and Ancient Civilizations

 Answer: Why are the concepts of war and conflict important in World History? A.C.E.S QUESTION

 What do “Paleolithic” and “Neolithic” mean?  What are “Nomads?” How did they live?  Early people learned how to _____________ animals?  Describe the word “history” in your own words.  Why do anthropologists hypothesize that ancient hominids had primitive religion? KNIGHT’S CHARGE

 Until 2001, costumed employees at Disney World and Disney Land had to share…. WEIRD DISNEY FACT OF THE DAY Now that’s gross…

 Geography: The study of the earth and it’s affects on mankind! GEOGRAPHY AND ANCIENT SOCIETY

 Remember,  Early people were “Nomads,” which means that they moved from place to place in search of food.  The Neolithic Revolution occurred when people learned how to farm.  These “Neolithic” people are what we call “Modern” people today. GEOGRAPHY AND ANCIENT HISTORY

 Now you can farm, so where do you settle? SETTLEMENTS

 Early civilizations needed to settle next to large rivers for fresh water and farming purposes. WATER The Nile River

 Mesopotamia (Modern day IRAQ) THE FERTILE CRESCENT

 Mesopotamia is very important to the study of civilizations because it is the perfect example of how important water was to the structure of society.  Mesopotamia has 2 MAJOR rivers flowing through it:  The Tigris and Euphrates!  Located in and area that is present day IRAQ.  Home to the worlds first large kingdoms in about 5500 B.C. MESOPOTAMIA

 So, what is the climate like in IRAQ? MESOPOTAMIA

 The Tigris and Euphrates rivers created an area of fertile land in the desert!  This fertile land happens to provide great soil for growing crops.  But, how did the Mesopotamian's water their fields if the rivers were miles away? MESOPOTAMIA

 The Mesopotamian’s invented a system called Irrigation.  Irrigation is a system of ditches or aqueducts that brings water from the rivers to the fields or their homes.  Mesopotamians made it possible for you to drink that tasty TASTY drinking fountain water down the hall! MESOPOTAMIA

Youtube Guy is back to tell us about Mesopotamia…Yay! MESOPOTAMIA

EGYPT

 Major River: The NILE!  Egypt is located in North Africa (again, Africa is a continent!)  Originated AFTER Mesopotamia and is home to the world’s first great architectural marvels (pyramids, sphinx, etc.)  About 3000 B.C. EGYPT

 What is the geography of Egypt like? EGYPT

 It is important to remember that the majority of Egypt is a desert. The Nile river made survival possible!  Egyptians learned how to study the stars to anticipate the coming Nile floods.  They were able to do this, because weather works in cycles.  Are floods always a bad thing? Why? EGYPT

 When a river floods, it leaves behind “silt.”  Silt = tiny bits of rock and dirt left behind after a flood.  Silt makes soil fertile again and allows for new plant growth…allowing people to survive in one place for long periods of time. EGYPT

 Sea societies had to try MUCH harder to find fresh water  But, living next to the sea brought a lot of opportunities to trade! SEA SOCIETIES GREECE! ROME!

 These societies would form in mountain valleys or farm on the actual mountains on “steppes.” (terraces)  Mountain societies were often very isolated from others, creating very interesting cultures! MOUNTAIN SOCIETIES

 China and Northern India! MOUNTAIN SOCIETIES CHINA! Northern India!

 On a separate sheet of paper;  Write 3 benefits of starting a civilization near a river  Write 3 benefits of starting a civilization near an ocean  Write 3 benefits of starting a civilization in a mountain valley  Which do you think is better and why? GEOGRAPHICAL QUESTIONS