World History Instructor Pacas

Introduction to World History Analyzing our ability to discern and understand the past: Analyzing our ability to discern and understand the past: What are some challenges that affect our ability to interpret and understand the past? What are some challenges that affect our ability to interpret and understand the past?

Ethnocentrism/biased nationalism Ethnocentrism/biased nationalism Racism Racism socio-cultural biases socio-cultural biases gender-biases gender-biases biases particular to the field of study archaeology vs. history biases particular to the field of study archaeology vs. history personal biases and agendas personal biases and agendas contemporary popular perceptions and their influences on fields of study regarding human history contemporary popular perceptions and their influences on fields of study regarding human history biases favoring sedentary societies vs. nomadic societies, classical vs. none classical (barbarian), etc. biases favoring sedentary societies vs. nomadic societies, classical vs. none classical (barbarian), etc.

Cultural Differences/Biases Different groups of people adopt different views or socio-cultural values. Different groups of people adopt different views or socio-cultural values. For some groups the individual in society is of primary importance. For some groups the individual in society is of primary importance. For others the individual is secondary to the community. For others the individual is secondary to the community. It is important to note that these are socio-cultural regional differences. None are right or wrong. It is important to note that these are socio-cultural regional differences. None are right or wrong.

Some societies believe in individual ownership. Some societies believe in individual ownership. Others believe in collective or communal ownership or temporary sharing. Others believe in collective or communal ownership or temporary sharing. Again, these are regional differences, and none are right or wrong. Again, these are regional differences, and none are right or wrong.

Out of Africa-Early Modern Humans and Migrations Professor Pacas

Modern Humans and Climate- A History 100,000 years ago, in the continent that we know as Africa today, modern human population numbered 1,000,000 globally (it is estimated). 100,000 years ago, in the continent that we know as Africa today, modern human population numbered 1,000,000 globally (it is estimated). It is estimated that 900,000 of that population resided within Africa. It is estimated that 900,000 of that population resided within Africa.

Modern Humans Opportunists According to the anthropologist John Reader, modern human beings are ‘supreme-opportunists.’ According to the anthropologist John Reader, modern human beings are ‘supreme-opportunists.’ “supreme opportunist, who survive in numbers some way below the carrying capacity of the environment much of the the time, but whose growth rate potential enables them to multiply rapidly when circumstances permit.”* “supreme opportunist, who survive in numbers some way below the carrying capacity of the environment much of the the time, but whose growth rate potential enables them to multiply rapidly when circumstances permit.”* * Reader, John. Africa: A Biography of the Continent. Pg. 131

30,000 BCE and Population Explosions Starting around 60,000 BCE, the modern human communities began to experience a surge in population growth. Starting around 60,000 BCE, the modern human communities began to experience a surge in population growth. It is believed that by 35,000 BCE all regions and ecological niches in Africa were occupied/exploited by modern humans. It is believed that by 35,000 BCE all regions and ecological niches in Africa were occupied/exploited by modern humans.

30,000 BCE cont’d The ice sheets retreated, flooding the world oceans with fresh water; sea levels rose worldwide, in Africa, the forests advanced, the savannas were well watered, the lakes and rivers were full. The ice sheets retreated, flooding the world oceans with fresh water; sea levels rose worldwide, in Africa, the forests advanced, the savannas were well watered, the lakes and rivers were full. Human beings exploited the new opportunities that this favorable development presented to them. Human beings exploited the new opportunities that this favorable development presented to them.

18,000 BCE –The Last Ice Age However, by 18,000 BCE the benign climate of humidity gave way to climatic changes that brought about advancing ice sheets that were responsible for extreme massive aridity in Africa and globally as well. However, by 18,000 BCE the benign climate of humidity gave way to climatic changes that brought about advancing ice sheets that were responsible for extreme massive aridity in Africa and globally as well.

18,000 BCE Ice Age cont’d The ice covered much of North America, Europe, the mountainous regions of Asia, as well as New Zealand, Australia, South America, and parts of Africa. The ice covered much of North America, Europe, the mountainous regions of Asia, as well as New Zealand, Australia, South America, and parts of Africa. Human populations began to decrease world wide. Human populations began to decrease world wide.

Technology and Periods of Great Duress It was when conditions were at their worse that modern humans engaged in sophisticated adaptations to their environment. It was when conditions were at their worse that modern humans engaged in sophisticated adaptations to their environment. The archaeological record supports a spike in weapons technology for the hunt (bone harpoons for fishing, bone tipped javelins able to be shot further distances, arrows, etc.) to increase the chance of survival. The archaeological record supports a spike in weapons technology for the hunt (bone harpoons for fishing, bone tipped javelins able to be shot further distances, arrows, etc.) to increase the chance of survival.

Hunters vs. Gatherers The hunt provided essential and necessary animal fat and protein for human communities. Eventually the hunt would become much more important than the gatherers in supplying necessary nourishment. The hunt provided essential and necessary animal fat and protein for human communities. Eventually the hunt would become much more important than the gatherers in supplying necessary nourishment.

Gender roles/ Gender relations and Labor relations: In Hunter-Gatherer Societies A) In most hunter-gatherer societies the genders have rigid roles assigned to both men and women. A) In most hunter-gatherer societies the genders have rigid roles assigned to both men and women. Both roles are extremely important to preserve the community. Both roles are extremely important to preserve the community.

Females Women’s contribution to the society were: child rearing, caring for old and sick and gathering of foodstuff other than the hunt to supplement the diet. Women’s contribution to the society were: child rearing, caring for old and sick and gathering of foodstuff other than the hunt to supplement the diet.

Males Men’s contribution to the society were: the hunt, defense/protection, or necessary military aggression for the preservation of the society. Men’s contribution to the society were: the hunt, defense/protection, or necessary military aggression for the preservation of the society.

 These kinds of societies can either be male or female dominated societies.  Depends on the socio-cultural dynamics of the group.  They also differed on how the ‘old’ were viewed within their respective society i.e. valued or ostracized.