1. Unit One: Lecture 1.2 Geography and Ancient Civilizations

2.  Answer: Why are the concepts of war and conflict important in World History? A.C.E.S QUESTION

3.  What do “Paleolithic” and “Neolithic” mean?  What are “Nomads?” How did they live?  Early people learned how to _____________ animals?  Describe the word “history” in your own words.  Why do anthropologists hypothesize that ancient hominids had primitive religion? KNIGHT’S CHARGE

4.  Until 2001, costumed employees at Disney World and Disney Land had to share…. WEIRD DISNEY FACT OF THE DAY Now that’s gross…

5.  Geography: The study of the earth and it’s affects on mankind! GEOGRAPHY AND ANCIENT SOCIETY

6.  Remember,  Early people were “Nomads,” which means that they moved from place to place in search of food.  The Neolithic Revolution occurred when people learned how to farm.  These “Neolithic” people are what we call “Modern” people today. GEOGRAPHY AND ANCIENT HISTORY

7.  Now you can farm, so where do you settle? SETTLEMENTS

8.  Early civilizations needed to settle next to large rivers for fresh water and farming purposes. WATER The Nile River

9.  Mesopotamia (Modern day IRAQ) THE FERTILE CRESCENT

10.  Mesopotamia is very important to the study of civilizations because it is the perfect example of how important water was to the structure of society.  Mesopotamia has 2 MAJOR rivers flowing through it:  The Tigris and Euphrates!  Located in and area that is present day IRAQ.  Home to the worlds first large kingdoms in about 5500 B.C. MESOPOTAMIA

11.  So, what is the climate like in IRAQ? MESOPOTAMIA

12.  The Tigris and Euphrates rivers created an area of fertile land in the desert!  This fertile land happens to provide great soil for growing crops.  But, how did the Mesopotamian's water their fields if the rivers were miles away? MESOPOTAMIA

13.  The Mesopotamian’s invented a system called Irrigation.  Irrigation is a system of ditches or aqueducts that brings water from the rivers to the fields or their homes.  Mesopotamians made it possible for you to drink that tasty TASTY drinking fountain water down the hall! MESOPOTAMIA

14. Youtube Guy is back to tell us about Mesopotamia…Yay! MESOPOTAMIA

15. EGYPT

16.  Major River: The NILE!  Egypt is located in North Africa (again, Africa is a continent!)  Originated AFTER Mesopotamia and is home to the world’s first great architectural marvels (pyramids, sphinx, etc.)  About 3000 B.C. EGYPT

17.  What is the geography of Egypt like? EGYPT

18.  It is important to remember that the majority of Egypt is a desert. The Nile river made survival possible!  Egyptians learned how to study the stars to anticipate the coming Nile floods.  They were able to do this, because weather works in cycles.  Are floods always a bad thing? Why? EGYPT

19.  When a river floods, it leaves behind “silt.”  Silt = tiny bits of rock and dirt left behind after a flood.  Silt makes soil fertile again and allows for new plant growth…allowing people to survive in one place for long periods of time. EGYPT

20.  Sea societies had to try MUCH harder to find fresh water  But, living next to the sea brought a lot of opportunities to trade! SEA SOCIETIES GREECE! ROME!

21.  These societies would form in mountain valleys or farm on the actual mountains on “steppes.” (terraces)  Mountain societies were often very isolated from others, creating very interesting cultures! MOUNTAIN SOCIETIES

22.  China and Northern India! MOUNTAIN SOCIETIES CHINA! Northern India!

23.  On a separate sheet of paper;  Write 3 benefits of starting a civilization near a river  Write 3 benefits of starting a civilization near an ocean  Write 3 benefits of starting a civilization in a mountain valley  Which do you think is better and why? GEOGRAPHICAL QUESTIONS