1. Technological and Environmental Transformations (8000 to 600 B.C.E.)
Demography: Study of populations; Greek word “demos”= people and “graphein”= to write about
Important to the study of history
Population increases and decreases have caused people to move from one place to another
Brought people in contact with other ways of life and causing many political, social, and economic changes

2. Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities
Gender Inequality
The Neolithic Revolution is responsible for the distinctions between men and women
Women lose economic power: In hunting and gather societies, women’s gathering skills were essential for survival skills
Men took over the agriculture and animals; women sidelined to taking care of the domestic chores
Men’s physical strength meant they could do the work.

3. Now it’s time for a quick review…

4. Question 1 By scholarly convention, prehistory refers to the period
before the emergence of cities.
before modern humans were born.
before the invention of writing.
before homo sapiens appeared.

5. Question 1
By scholarly convention, prehistory refers to the period C. before the invention of writing.

6. Question 2 The term Neolithic era refers to
A. the early stages of a cultivating society.
B. the agricultural transition.
C. the era in which the people began to use polished stone tools.
D. the era in which people began to live permanently in villages.

7. Question 2 The term Neolithic era refers to
B. the agricultural transition.

8. Just sayin’…

9. Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities

10. Were able to accumulate wealth because stayed in one spot
Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities: Important Changes Affected How People Lived
People Settled Down
To be near the crops
Were able to accumulate wealth because stayed in one spot
The concept of private property!

11. Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities
Division of Labor
People began to see the advantages of “specialization”
Talented people did special jobs
Work was more efficient

12. Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities
Social Inequality Increased
Hunting and gathering groups were equal
Agricultural groups were characterized by social distinctions and social classes
Families accumulated land and passed property down to relatives
Some families distinguished and others not
Specialized occupations were awarded and respected

13. Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities
The Importance of Surplus
Farmers grew a surplus (extra) and others could be craftsmen
Food stuff could be stored
Health improved due to reliable food supply, population increased, and more specialization occurred
Villages grew to towns and eventually into cities that needed to be coordinated and controlled
Now specialized jobs in government

14. Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities
Religious Changes
Religious beliefs are evident in hunting and gathering, but agricultural societies developed polytheism (belief in many gods)
Gods were centered around objects that are important to farmers
Sun gods, rain gods, gods of the harvest, and female fertility gods
Connection between fertility of the soil and fertility of humans
Fertility Goddess

15. Agricultural Development and Early Agricultural Communities
Three craft Industries developed during the Neolithic Period
Pottery
Metallurgy
Textiles
Pottery, made by fire-hardening clay, served as food storage
Copper was first metal humans shaped into useful items and jewelry
By 6000 B.C.E. Copper heated for weapons and tools
Textiles woven together around 6000 B.C.E.