What is the difference between a primary and a secondary source? Warm-Up
Primary Source- First hand Secondary source-second hand Telephone
Early Human Culture A Quick Overview
PALEOLITHIC ERA Old Stone Age Begins c. 5.5—2.5 MYA Beginning of Ice Age
Lower Paleolithic Who/Time – Australopithecus, – 5.5 MYA-2 MYA – Homo Habilis – 2 MYA-1.5 MYA
Lower Paleolithic Tools/Technology – Oldewan Tool Type core, pebble tools Economic System – Hunter?/gatherers
Middle Paleolithic Who/Time – Homo Erectus – 1.8 MYA-300 KYA
Tools/Technology – Acheulian Tool Type hand axes Economic System – Hunter/gatherers
Culture – Used fire – Shelter, caves – Hunted large game – Speech ? (assumed at cc brain size)
Upper Paleolithic Who/Time – Homo sapiens neanderthalensis –.5 MYA-30 KYA
Neanderthals Tools/Technology – Mousterian Tool Type flake axes Economic System – Hunter/gatherers
Neanderthals Culture – Made fire – Hunted in large groups – Clothing/tents?
Neanderthals Deliberate burials Religion (alters) Care for disabled/aged Speech necessary
Upper Paleolithic Who/Time – Homo sapiens sapiens – Modern humans – 120 KYA-present
Homo Sapiens Sapiens Tools/Technology – Magdalinian Tool Type blade tools, flint tools Composite tools Bone, wood, ivory
– Cave art, fetishes 30 KYA
Homo Sapiens Sapiens Economic System – Hunter/gatherers Culture – World travelers – Bering Straights 25KYA
MESOLITHIC ERA transition period Middle Stone Age 10,000BC—5,000 BC
The Epic of Gilgamesh
1. Based on the presentation of Gilgamesh, how would you define the concept of heroism in Sumerian culture? 2. How would you describe the political organization of the city of Uruk? 3. How are the gods described in the poem? What is their function? How do they intervene in human affairs? 4. In the story, it is emphasized that Gilgamesh is a demigod. Why include this emphasis of his partial divinity? How does it affect his character? 5. What roles do women play in the story? What do their representations suggest about the significance of women in this ancient culture?