1. Prehistory – River Valley Civilizations

2. I. Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) (2 million to 12000 BCE)
More Advanced Humans
Hunters/Gatherers

3. I. Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) (2 million to 12000 BCE) CONT
Migration
Where???
14,000 years ago (approx. 12,000 BCE) end of last GREAT ice age
More movement

5. Discussion Question
Discuss some advantages AND disadvantages of the lifestyle of Hunters/Gatherers?

6. II. Neolithic (New Stone Age) (10,000-4000 BCE)
Agricultural Revolution
Invention of agriculture
Initially developed in the Middle East and independently arose in India, N. Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe
Transformation took time

7. Neolithic (New Stone Age) (10,000-4000 BCE) CONT.
Specialization of Labor
New classes
Pastoralist

8. Neolithic (New Stone Age) (10,000-4000 BCE) CONT.
Technological Innovations
Role of women

9. Discussion Question:
What were some of the benefits of the Neolithic Revolution for humans? What were some of the drawbacks? Would YOU have chosen to settle and begin farming?

10. Class Discussion Is the term Civilization a synonym for good?
For each of these characteristics of early civilization, identify benefits and disadvantages:
Gender inequality
Slavery
Warlike
Divisions in social-class – have/have nots
Diseases
Ruler and ruled
Destruction of environment

11. III. Civilization CONT Why Civilization? Definition
Must contain all of the following:
???

12. IV. Characteristics of River Valley Civilizations
The “Big” 4 and the Americas
Mesopotamia (Tigris and Euphrates)
Egypt (Nile)
Mohenjo-daro / Harappa (Indus)
China (Hwang He or Yellow)
Chavin (Andean South America)
Olmecs (Mesoamerica)

15. Mesopotamia

16. Egypt

17. India

18. China

19. Small Group Discussion Question:
What do most/all of these River Valley Civilizations have in common? What are some key differences between the RVCs?

20. IV. Characteristics of River Valley Civilizations CONT
Favorable Location and Access to Resources
Example: Hittites and Iron
Independent Development vs. Borrowing
Despite trade and connections…

22. IV. Characteristics of River Valley Civilizations CONT
Similarities
Technology
Monumental Building / Specialization / Division of Labor
Arts promoted by religious and political elites
Writing Systems

23. IV. Characteristics of River Valley Civilizations CONT
Trade
Complex political structures
Creation of Legal Codes
Hammurabi’s Code
Code of Ur-Nammu
Creation of new religions
Vedic religions
Hebrew monotheism
Zoroastrianism

24. Writing
Papyrus Sheets
Cuneiform Tablet

25. Hieroglyphs

26. Writing Forms
Sumerian Writing
Hieroglyphics

27. Writing Forms
Sanskrit
Ancient Chinese

28. IV. Characteristics of River Valley Civilizations CONT
Differences
Egyptian economy
Distinctive Writing Systems
Monumental Building
Chinese Intellectual Life
Partner Question:
What would allow China to emphasize education over other pursuits? Explain.

30. IV. Characteristics of River Valley Civilizations CONT
Decline of River Valley Civilizations

32. Small Group Discussion Question:
What did the first River Valley Civilizations leave behind? How were the civilizations that followed them effected?

33. V. Conclusion RVCs created…
Civilization created division BUT trade created interconnection
Major Similarities / Major Differences

34. Closing Task
Identify and explain ONE similarity of the early River Valley Civilizations.
Identify and explain ONE difference of the early River Valley Civilizations.
Identify and explain ONE legacy of the early River Valley Civilizations.