Comparing Paleolithic and Neolithic Peoples San Rock Art vs. Gilgamesh, Hammurabi, and Babylon

Hammurabi’s Code Stele in Louvre Museum, Paris

Hammurabi Code Stele Solid basalt (rock) block inscribed with code of laws (in Akkadian language)

Hammurabi Receiving Code of Laws from Gods Carved top of stele

Sumerian Writing System: Cuneiform: Written in clay tablet

Ishtar Gate (from Babylon) now in Pergamon Museum, Berlin

Ishtar Gate Lion

Ishtar Gate Dragon

Individual Work In one well-written sentence answer the following question: In your view, what was the biggest difference between life in San (Rock Art) culture and life in Mesopotamia (Gilgamesh’s world)?

Group Work: Primary Sources Break up into groups of 5 Answer the question: What are the most important characteristics of Mesopotamian society? Use evidence found in the two documents ‘Epic of Gilgamesh’ and ‘Hammurabi’s Code’

Comparisons Paleolithic Peoples (Cave painters) Hunter-gatherers No domesticated animals Nomadic Short lifespan Small clans or groups Ice age Cave painting Rituals/spirits – animal spirits, burials Shamans Respect for animals, birth, life, death Civilized? Neolithic Peoples (Mesopotamians & Egyptians) Settled by rivers Agricultural – farming - surpluses Organized society Government, taxes Writing Laws Domesticated animals Hierarchy Caste/class system – slavery – inequality Diff. gender roles Division of labor Military Gods – polytheistic States, kingdoms, empires Population growth Permanent Buildings/architecture Math, learning, engineering Trade/commerce Religion, sacrifice Conflicts

Comparisons (continued) Paleolithic Peoples Neolithic Peoples