Understanding Our Origins: Where Did Humans Come From?

Two Theories of Human Migration  Biblical Theory Evolutionary Theory  “Out of Africa” Theory

The First Known Humans Lived in the Paleolithic Age “Stone Age”

Paleolithic/Stone Age What was the lifestyle of the earliest humans? –Hunting, fishing, and gathering food Things They Discovered/Invented –Stone or bone tools –Fire –Canoes and boats made of logs –Made clay pottery –Domesticated (tamed) animals

Paleolithic/Stone Age The people were nomadic. Why would they have to have a nomadic lifestyle? To have food and survive they had to follow the animals and move with the weather changes. 77GGSQ;s=CE3EDE61B3586D CA104FB840

Neolithic Revolution (“neo” = New, “lithic” = Stone) New Stone Age

Neolithic Revolution Began around 8,000BC People learned how to grow food and how to herd (keep) animals. Use of copper, bronze, and iron tools. Began in Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, and the Americas. Why did civilizations develop in these areas?

Neolithic Revolution Leads to Civilization Benefits of Agriculture: –Takes less people to grow food so other jobs develop such as potters, weavers, metal workers, warriors, and priests. –People are no longer nomadic and cities develop. –Government develops in order to deal with so many people living close together. –Writing develops!!! –Complex social structure forms –Science and technology develop In one sentence summarize the importance of the Neolithic Revolution.

Culture What is it? A people’s special way of life. Includes: –Language –Type of clothing –Type of homes –Family organization –System of government –Methods of obtaining food –Types of crafts –Music –Religious beliefs List some aspects of the American culture.

Characteristics of Civilizations CIVILIZATION Cities Government Religion Social Structure Writing Art

Early Neolithic Cities Jericho One of the world’s oldest cities, located near the Dead Sea in the Middle East. Mud & Mortar Homes. About 70 dwellings. Wall: 12ft high, 6ft wide

Early Neolithic Cities Ḉ atalhüyük The best preserved of the Neolithic cities. Larger than Jericho. Located in Turkey. Mostly home dwellings and shrines of goddesses. Farming areas outside the city gave them a surplus of food.

Check for Mastery 1.How did the first humans adapt to survive? 2.How did developments in the Neolithic Revolution period impact early human history? 3.How would you define “civilization”? 4.How did food surpluses benefit the city of Ḉ atalhüyük? 5.People were ranked in a social structure. What factor decided your rank in society?