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AP World History Early Humans
(Even before) 8000 BCE
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Important Terms Prehistory Hominids Anthropology Paleontology
Archaeology
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Hominids 3 species that arose at different times in prehistory:
Homo habilis = person with ability ~3 million to ~1.5 million years ago Homo erectus = person who walks upright ~2 million to ~70,000 years ago Homo sapiens = person who thinks ~200, ,000 years ago (To present)
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Hominids Animals adapt themselves to environment
Hominids adapt environment to themselves Use of tools Language Complex cooperative social structures
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Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
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Dispersal
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Prehistory “Before written record” Paleolithic – Early (old) Stone Age
Lasted 2 million + years Mesolithic – Middle Stone Age ~20,000 BCE - ~5000 BCE Neolithic – New Stone Age ~10,000 BCE - ~3000 BCE
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Paleolithic Evidence:
Archaeological finds Nomadic existence precludes advanced civilization Groups of 30-50 Division of labor along gender lines precludes accumulation of land-based wealth More likely determinants of status: age, hunting skill, fertility, charisma
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Mesolithic Tools become more refined Modified lifestyle
Chipped tools Modified lifestyle As environment and climate changes Becoming less nomadic Domestication of plants and animals
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Neolithic Tool production becomes even more refined
Chipped vs. polished Herding instead of hunting Nurturing vegetation instead of foraging Spread of Agriculture Slash-and-and burn techniques Overuse of soil = migration Dispersal of crops from one region to another
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Origins of early spread of agriculture
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Agriculture and Population Growth
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Examples of Neolithic construction
Stonehenge ^ England Temple of Mnajdra Malta
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Surplus Food, Specialization of Labor
Emergence of villages and towns Range of manufactured products Pottery, Jewelry, Textiles, Copper tools Surplus food = TIME Beginnings of Urbanization Craft specialization Social classes Government
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Social Distinctions Accumulation of wealth = development of social classes household decorations goods buried with deceased members Archaeological evidence of religious worship clay figurines drawings on pots tool decorations other ritual objects
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