1. Mesolithic 1. Began approximately 12,000 years ago 2. Warmer, drier climate with disappearance of large herd animals such as mammoths and wooly rhinoceros. 3. Greater reliance on small game, wild plants, fishing 4. Stone tool technology changes: microliths, smoothly ground stone axes, harpoons

2. 5. Natufians in Southwest Asia (Fertile Crescent) a.Villagers living in small towns such as Jericho b.They were Hunters and gatherers c.Used Storage pits for grains 6. Transition from: a.Nomadic Hunting and Gathering way of life b.to Settled Agricultural lifestyle.

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5. The Neolithic 1.The Neolithic means the new Stone Age. 2.However what's really important is a.the domestication of plants and animals and b.the development of sedentary communities. 3.This happened 10,500 years ago in Southwest Asia. 4.And 8000 years ago in southeast Asia, Mexico, Peru.

7. Characteristics of Domesticated Plants 1.Increased size of edible parts, for example, wheat and corn. 2.Loss or reduction of husk, for example, teosinte to corn. 3.The development of tough stems, e.g., wheat, so seeds can be harvested easily

8. Teosintle; Maize Evolution

9. Major Cultigens (Plant Domesticates) 1.Southwest Asia: wheat, barley, flax, lentil, rye 2.Southeast Asia: millet, rice, taro 3.Africa: sorghum, yams 4.Melanesia: yams 5.Mesoamerica: corn, beans, squash, cotton, chili, avocado, amaranth 6.Highland South America: potato, quinoa 7.Tropical South America: manioc, peanuts

10. Taro Root for Sale

11. Sorghum

12. Quinoa

13. Manioc

14. Characteristics of Domesticated Animals 1.Reduction or loss of horns, sheep. 2.Greater number of woolly follicles, sheep. 3.Reduction in the size of teeth, pigs

15. Identification of domesticated animals in the archaeological record 1.higher percentage of remains of male or young animals. Why? a.Butchering of male sheep only in Iraq. b.High newborn mortality due to diseases in corrals, llamas in Peru

17. Some Animal Domesticates Southwest Asia: sheep, goats, cattle, dogs, camels, horses, ducks. Southeast Asia: silk worm, pigs, water buffalo, ducks, geese, chickens. South America: guinea pig, llama, alpaca Mexico: turkey, dog, honey bee Egypt: cat

18. Silk Worm

19. Guinea Pigs

20. Alpaca (Lama pacos)

21. Xoloitzcuintli, Mexican hairless dog

22. Theories for the Origins of the Domestication of Plants and Animals

23. The Oasis Theory by V. Gordon Childe; 1950s 1.A type of environmental determinism. 2.Southwest Asia became drier 12 to 15,000 years ago. 3.People congregated around oases.

24. 4.People collected the seeds of wild grasses 5.This led to plant cultivation. 6.Cultivation of plants attracted wild cattle, sheep, and goats. 7.This led to animal domestication. 8.Problem with the Oasis Theory: -- Domestication did not occur first at oases

25. Population Growth By Cohen 1.Hunting, fishing, and gathering were very productive 2.So productive, that population grew. 3.More people needed more food 4.People in marginal areas decided to domesticate animals and plants to provide new food

26. Problems with Population Growth Theory 1.Domestication is gradual and would not provide people with more food in the short term. 2.Assumes domestication was intentional. However, people cannot predict which plants or animals can be domesticated.

27. Seasonal Stress Theory of Plant Domestication 1.by McCorriston and Hole 2.For South West Asia only 3.The earliest plant domestication took place around the margins of evaporating lakes. For example, the Jordan River Valley.

29. 4.Beginning in the Mesolithic, the climate became warmer with seasonal droughts (these are seasonal stresses.) 5.Annuals are best adapted to this environment, a.wild cereal grains produce abundant seeds and b.survive for long periods of drought. 6.People collected wild plants, for example, wheat, barley, and rye

30. 7.They used sickles, which meant that plants with tough stems and seeds were the most likely to be carried back to settlements. 8.Some lost seeds germinated at disturbed sites such as latrines, garbage pits, and burned over areas. 9.People began to promote growth of these annuals.

31. The Hilly Flanks Theory Of Animal Domestication by Hole 1.For South West Asia, only 2.Wild sheep and goats were domesticated in the hilly flanks (foothills) of the Zargos Mountains in present day Iraq and Iran 3.Wild sheep and goats migrated up and down mountains due to the seasonal availability of grasses. 4.Sheep and goats grazed in the lowlands during the winter and in the high pastures in the summer.

32. 4.People followed these animals, and became very familiar with their behavior and habits 5.By 11,000 years ago, the percentage of male lamb remains increased. 6.Females were spared for breeding and people were feasting on ram lambs. 7.This indicates the presence of herd management 8.By 8000 years ago, domesticated sheep and goats were being kept at villages like Jericho.

33. An example of Neolithic life; Jericho in the Jordan River Valley. 1.10,350 years before present, Jericho was first settled by hunters and gatherers. 2.8000 years before present, the farmers were raising animals, and cultivating plants. 3.Wheat, barley, sheep, goats. 4.400 to 900 people – 5.egalitarian, centralized cemetery

34. 6.Massive stone walls to prevent flooding 7.Mud brick houses with courtyards 8.Storage rooms 9.Stone Tower 10.Obsidian, turquoise, and shells traded with other villages 11.Tools included: a.Polished Stone, Wood, Bone, Horn b.Scythes, Forks, Hoes, Plow c.Mortar And Pestle d.Pottery

35. Stone Tower in Jericho

36. Foundation of Round House in Jericho

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38. Neolithic Health 1.There were waterborne diseases and gastrointestinal diseases due to poor sanitation. 2.Airborne diseases. 3.Carbohydrate-related diseases.

39. 4.Periodic epidemics and food shortages led to malnutrition and stunted growth. a)Harris lines in long bones, b)Enamel hypoplasias 5.Zoonoses such as smallpox and chickenpox -- transmitted from domesticated animals. 6.Sickle cell anemia, malaria, and farming

40. Enamel Hypoplasia

41. Harris Lines