Humans Try to Control Nature

Early Humans 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 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 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. Examples - horses, dogs, goats, and pigs. Another consistent source of food.

Farming Develops 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.