August 10th Warm-Up How do we obtain information about prehistoric times?

How do we obtain information about prehistoric times? Prehistory is period of time before humans developed writing. So if there is no writing about a time period, how do we know what happened?

Prehistory & Early Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkdcHArwczY

How do we obtain information about prehistoric times? 2 groups interpret Prehistory: Anthropologists—study behavior & physical features of people Archaeologists—study physical remains of people: fossils (pieces of people/plants preserved in earth) & artifacts (man-made objects) Both groups try to understand the way of life (culture) of people in the past

Artifact, because it is man-made Prehistory Quiz Prehistory refers to the time before: Writing If an archaeologist finds a 2000 year old hairbrush, is this an artifact or a fossil? Artifact, because it is man-made Which type of scientist studies past human behavior? Anthropologist

Early Man

Lucy 3.6 million years old hominid fossil found in Eastern Africa in 1974 1st Homo genus bipedal fossil found Only 3’6” tall Still part tree dwelling

Homo erectus or stand upright easily 1.6 million years old Age 10-11, 5’3” was going to be around 6’ Found in Africa

The Stone Age Stone Age refers to time when early hominids (creatures that walk upright) began to develop tools Stone Age is broken into 3 periods: Paleolithic (Old), Mesolithic (Middle) Neolithic (New)

Early Human Accomplishments Happened near end of Paleolithic and start of Neolithic Manufactured range of stone and bone tools Controlled fire: 3 reasons Developed spoken language Formulated artistic tradition Created ritual practices Organized social groups

Neolithic Revolution People shifted from hunting & gathering to farming as a result of new agricultural methods: Domesticated (tamed) animals—dogs, horses, cows, sheep, pigs Technological advances—plow, loom, metal tools & weapons, planting seeds Villages—farming allowed people to stay in one place rather than move to find new food supplies

What is a civilization?

Evidence of Ancient Civilizations

What is a civilization? Civilization is a sophisticated culture possessing 5 key traits: Advanced Cities Specialized Workers Record Keeping Advanced Technology Complex Institutions

Key Traits of Civilizations Advanced Cities : Centers of trade Provide protection from outside forces

Key Traits of Civilizations Specialized Workers : Civilizations must have workers to carry out specialized duties. Each worker has a skill that allow them to contribute to society

Key Traits of Civilizations Record Keeping : Allows civilizations to communicate rules, keep track of trade and population, and record histories

Key Traits of Civilizations Advanced Technology: Inventions help advance societies by making work easier

Key Traits of Civilizations Complex Institutions : Government allows for order and stability in civilizations Advanced civilizations built temples in cities to worship deities

How & Why Did Civilizations Begin?

Why Did Civilizations Begin? People naturally have 3 needs that they want to be met: Food—leads to trade Security—leads to government Creativity—leads to culture All 3 together lead to people forming civilizations

Let’s Examine Some Important Information about the 4 Major River Valley Civilizations