Chapter 1 From Human Prehistory to the Early Civilizations
Prehistory – time before writing Terms Prehistory – time before writing
What are some examples of artifacts? Archaeologist Artifacts – human made objects What are some examples of artifacts?
Stone Age A. Paleolithic – Old Stone Age (2.5 million to 8000 BCE) 1. Technology – Stone tools, fire, language
2. Art – Cave paintings, possibly religious meaning (usually of animals) 3. Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania – Humans originated in E. Africa
4. Gender Roles Men: hunt large animals Women: gathered, cared for children, maintained tools, clothing and prepared food.
B. Mesolithic – Middle Stone Age (12000-8000 BCE) After last ice age Domesticated Animals
**Neolithic Revolution AKA Agriculture Revolution** C. Neolithic – New Stone Age-8000-5000BCE **Neolithic Revolution AKA Agriculture Revolution**
Why did farming happen? Population increase Climate change Gradual experimentation by gatherers
Why do you think the development of agriculture occurred around the same time in several different places?
Why do some archeologists believe that women were the first farmers?
Effect of Agricultural Revolution Population increase Labor divided into food-producing and non-producing job hierarchies
Social complexities = greater gender differences Disease increased = need for higher birthrate
D. Bronze Age 4000 BCE people began to work with copper (instead of rocks)
Why is the Neolithic Revolution a turning point in history?
Civilization Started after Neolithic Revolution; in the cooperative effort of irrigation
Eight Features of a Civilization Cities are the central feature of a civilization: without them, you do not have a civilization!
1. Cities
2. Organized Government
3. Complex Religion
4. Job Specialization
5. Social Classes KING PRIEST WORKERS SLAVES
6. Art and Architecture
7. Public Works
8. Writing
Mesopotamia (Sumerians) “land between 2 Rivers”
A. Between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers-Fertile Crescent.
Independent city-states ruled by a king B. Political Organization: Theocracy Independent city-states ruled by a king Shared Culture, Developed own government Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Ur (major cities)
C. Religion Polytheistic (3000 gods) Ziggurats – temples used for worship Epic of Gilgamesh (Noah’s Ark) (long poem) Geography affects religion!
Kings/Priests – talked to gods Wealthy merchants Peasants (90%) D. Society Kings/Priests – talked to gods Wealthy merchants Peasants (90%) Slaves (POW or sold into by parents
Cuneiform – wrote on clay tablets E. Writing Cuneiform – wrote on clay tablets Scribes/priests did most of the writing
Technology 60
Wheel Sail Plow #’s based on 60 Copper 1st system of writing Irrigation
Judaism Began around 2000BCE in present day Palestine (Israel) Monotheistic – Yahweh – created the world and all living things Holy Law – Ten Commandments
Holy Book – Torah (1st five books of the Old Testament) Prophets – were God’s voice for the people and told people God’s will. Major Difference: All people had access to God (not just priests)
Holy Book – Torah (1st five books of the Old Testament) Prophets – were God’s voice for the people and told people God’s will. Major Difference: All people had access to God (not just priests)
Israelites – Followers of Judaism Jerusalem – Capital City Reign of Kings: King Saul King David King Solomon – Built the temple for God
After Solomon; Israel divided into 2 Kingdoms: Kingdom of Israel – 10 Northern Tribes (Samaria); overrun by the Assyrians in 722BCE Kingdom of Judah – (Jerusalem); Chaldeans destroyed Jerusalem (586BCE)
Eventually Israelites were captured and enslaved in Babylon