Unit 1: Foundations (Periods 1 & 2) 8,000 BCE to 600 CE

Foundations of What? (Periodization) Social structures (patriarchy, hierarchical) Economic systems (agriculture, trade) Political systems (from villages to empires) Major world religions

Prehistory Prehistoric or prehistory refers to the time before the advancement of writing.

Overview Paleolithic Era (Old Stone Age) –c. 250,000 BCE to 12,000 BCE Mesolithic Era (Middle Stone Age) –c. 12,000 BCE to 8,000 BCE Neolithic Era (New Stone Age) –c. 8,000 BCE to 5,000 BCE Bronze Age –c. 4,000 BCE – 1500BCE

Paleolithic Era Also known as Old Stone Age Began 2 million years ago Humans found shelter in caves; left behind cave art (purpose?) Lascaux Caves (France) 32,000 years ago

Paleolithic Era Humans during this period: –Were nomadic –Were hunter-gatherers –Lived in clans –First to make simple tools and weapons –Mastered use of fire –Developed spoken language –Egalitarian

APWH starts c BCE with the Neolithic Revolution Known as the Neolithic Era or New Stone Age Village life began Totally new way of living, from hunter- gatherers to agriculture SLOW transition Neolithic Revolution

Neolithic Era Homo sapiens sapiens (wise, wise humans) during this period: –Developed agriculture –Domesticated plants and animals –Used advanced tools like spears –Developed weaving skills

Invention of Agriculture Mesopotamians first –Cereal crops (wheat, barley) –Herd animals (sheep, goats) Developed in other places – some independently, others as a result of cultural diffusion

Agriculture’s Impact New social organization – from egalitarian to social stratification Close-knit society Increased population and material possessions Land becomes more efficient resulting in a surplus of food Allows for specialization, development of tools and weapons

Change for the Better? Hunter-Gathering Societies: –More free time –Temporary shelter –Small Groups (less conflict) –Public land Agricultural Societies –Constant work but food source more reliable –Long-term homes –Larger groups (more conflict; disease) –Private land –More stability

Today’s Warm Up Answer in your notes & be ready to share: Provide at least three differences between hunter- gatherers and agricultural societies.

Civilization Began Agriculture & pastoralism led to increased populations Family groups gave way to village life and eventually urban life Led to new and more complex economic and social systems Civilization began

Defining Civilization Societies distinguished by reliance on sedentary agriculture, ability to produce food surpluses, and existence of nonfarming elites, as well as merchant and manufacturing groups

Why Did Civilization Begin? WHY? Surpluses in food led to specialization of labor –Not everyone had to farm; others free to build, invent, etc. Led to social stratification –Priests –Elites –Warriors –Common People –Slaves

Cities Formed along River Rivers provided –Water supply –Transportation –Food supply from animals Rivers provided Challenges –Flooding –Irrigation Required organized, mass labor –Construction and repair of canals and irrigation ditches

Organized Central Governments First needed to control food surpluses –Labor, storage, dispersion Needs become more complex: –Tax collecting –Law making –Handling public works projects –Organizing defense

Jobs Specialization & the Arts Artisans specialized in various jobs –Bricklayers –Blacksmiths Production of luxuries (not related to survival) Metal technology –i.e. weapons, tools Great architecture and art created –i.e. pyramids

Writing Developed Pictograms first; symbols later added to represent words and then sounds Scribes specially trained to read, write, record information –Religion, trade, gov’t

Complex Religions Generally polytheistic –Represented natural forces –Controlled human activities –Rituals and sacrifice used to gain gods’ favor Rulers regarded as a god or gods’ agent Temples often built to honor specific gods and goddesses

Outside Contact Trade intensified within and between civilizations, as well as with nomadic pastoralists Walls indicate some were fearful; others more peaceful Accumulation of wealth spurred warfare between communities and/or with pastoralists –Drove development of war technologies and urban defense

Uniqueness of Civilization Not simply next inevitable step from Neolithic Age –Many peoples remained as hunter-gatherers or in the simple food-raising stage without developing any sort of civilization

Early Civilization SPRITE Chart Break into groups of 3 or 4. Each group will be responsible for researching one of six river valley civilizations. Complete each section of the SPRITE chart for your assigned civilization and be ready to present in 30 minutes. Nominate the person with the best handwriting to scribe your findings onto poster paper.

Databases for Research –Username – midtownstaff –Password - midtownstaff

Check for Understanding What do all of these early civilizations have in common? Brainstorm at least three ideas and be ready to share.

Today’s Exit Ticket Answer on the provided exit ticket slip: How did agriculture and pastoralism lead to civilization?