Neolithic Era Literally means “New Stone Age” Began roughly 9500 BC Began in the Middle East Mesopotamia Fertile Crescent Agriculture and Domesticated animals

Neolithic Era THINK PAIR SHARE Why do you think anthropologists believe this to be the most important development in human history??

Neolithic Era What a Neolithic village may have looked like.

Neolithic Revolution Revolutionary shift in Human Subsistence! No more hunting and gathering! Food became more abundant Populations began increasing Cities began to form More grains + more milk + more Wool + more meat = More people Able to survive!

Neolithic Era Small clusters of people became Villages Villages became cities. This is a vital step in the development of civilization Earliest cities were: Jericho, Catal Huyuk, Uruk, Eridu, Ur Civilizations began forming throughout the world Cultural Hearths

Civilizations What is a cultural hearth? Culture = the way of life a group of people follow Hearth = a vital and creative center

Civilizations Complex Culture 6 Characteristics of a Civilization Cities Governments Religion Social structures Writing Art

Civilizations Cities Government Religion Social Structure Writing Art Food becomes more abundant, people live closer to each other Government Regulate and organize human activity Religion Explain forces of nature and roles in the world Social Structure Based on economic power Writing Keep accurate records, creative expression Art Architects, painters and sculptors,

Mesopotamia Mesopotamian Civilization Three general areas Sumerians Assyria, Akkad, Sumer (pg. 15) Sumerians Creators of Mesopotamian civilization

Mesopotamia Civilization in the Fertile Crescent City States Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers City States A state with political control over the surrounding countryside Eridu, Ur, Uruk

Mesopotamia Sumerians used mud bricks to build Temple They invented the Arch and the Dome Temple Most important building in the city Massive stepped tower Ziggurat Priests and Priestesses Temple on a Ziggurat

Mesopotamia Economy Principally agriculture Industry Trade Metalwork, textiles, etc. Trade Invention of wheel in 3000 B.C. helped

Civilization into Empires Sumerians! First Empire “A Large political unit or state, usually under a single leader, that controls many peoples or territories.” (pg.48) Created the wheel Created units of time Cuneiform First writing Polytheistic Worshipped many gods

Mesopotamia Three Classes Nobles Commoners Slaves Royalty, Priests Farmers, Merchants, Fishermen, Craftspeople 90% of Sumerians were farmers Slaves Worked on Buildings

Civilizations into Empires Akkadians (2300BC – 2150BC) Sargon conquered Sumerians Used a strong military Empire included all of Mesopotamia Naram-Sin King of 4 corners of universe Empire fell by 2150BC This returned region to city states

Civilizations into Empires Babylonian Empire 1792BC Hammurabi Leader in Babylon, a city state south of Akkad Strong military Axes and Daggers and Spears, oh my!! Hammurabi’s Code (1st codified law) System of strict justice Eye of an eye, tooth for a tooth Accountability (officials, judges, builders, etc.) Marriage laws (page 50)

Civilizations into Empires Phoenicians (Purple People) Created an alphabet Used by the Greeks, then the Romans, now us! Great ship builders Empire based on trade $$$

Civilizations into Empires Israelites Lived South of the Phoenicians Minor factor in politics, but had a huge influence on religion Judaism—Monotheistic Migrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan Under King David, ruled Israel Capital Jerusalem

Civilizations into Empires David’s son, Solomon Israel reached its height of power Massive armies, good economy Built temple in Jerusalem Viewed as symbolic center of religion

Civilizations into Empires Under King Judah In 720 BC, Assyrians conquered Israel The Israelites scattered (10 lost tribes) In 586, the Chaldeans destroyed Jerusalem Remaining Israelites sent to Babylon Babylon conquered by Persians Ended Babylonian captivity

Civilizations into Empires Assyrians (700 B.C.) Northern Tigris River Very Powerful –Use of Iron weaponry Lasted less than 100 years Conquered by Chaldeans in 612 B.C. Internal conflicts led to downfall

Civilizations into Empires Assyrians Really good at conquering, not so good at ruling Army consisted of hundreds of thousands of soldiers Cavalry was strength of army Used terror tactics Used Guerilla warfare Able to lay siege to castles as well Laid wasted to fields, trees, water supplies, etc.