Domesticating Plants and Animals Neolithic Revolution 10,000 BCE – 4,000 BCE

Domestication: A Result of Small Decisions Over Time What is it? The process of deliberately cultivating and raising selected plants and animals in places that humans choose. Requires specific techniques and knowledge Why do we care? Control over food supply Quantity increase Population increase “sophistication” of civilizations From the grave of Menna, the agricultural scribe of the Pharaoh. Scene: Threshing of grain. c BCE

Arguments that the earliest evidence of domestication shows up in 7 areas Southwest Asia *See map on next slide China New Guinea Sub-Saharan Africa Mesoamerica Andes Eastern North America

Why? Earliest evidence of domestication exists in Southwest Asia (think “fertile crescent” between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers) Larger varieties of large-seeded grasses (esp. wheat and barley) Sheep, goats, cattle, and pigs prevalent in the region Climate change may have reduced the ability of wild grasses

Activity Break Get into groups of 2 or 3 Brainstorm a list of everything that goes on in a city on a day-to-day basis. Who organizes, oversees, and participates in these activities?

Increase of Permanent Settlements “Surpluses” of food more common Requires storage  development of pottery/woven baskets (roughly 7,000 years ago) Some individuals had more surpluses than others Inequalities of power, influence, and well-being.

Increase of Permanent Settlements Permanent settlement  Leadership systems Organization Conflict Resolution Defenses from outsiders Specialization Surpluses in food  Less time needed “hunting and gathering” food Allows for specialization in other areas – artisans, priests, soldiers, political figures, etc.. Provides window for culture to develop and flourish

Written Language Writing Developed due to economic need  “Record Keeping” Sumerian “Cuneiform” one of the earliest known written language. Sumerian inscription in monumental archaic style, c. 26th century B.C.E. c B.C.E. One of the Amarna letters, 14th century B.C.E.

Homework Look up Hammurabi’s Code discuss what it is and what you found out about it. (3 sentences minimum) Figures at top of stele "fingernail" above Hammurabi's code of laws.