1. The Stone Ages
Paleolithic Era
Neolithic Era

2. Paleolithic Era
OLD STONE AGE
4.5 million years ago
Hominids emerged

3. Neolithic Era NEW STONE AGE 10,000 years ago
Neolithic Revolution = Agricultural Revolution
Shift from food gathering to food producing

4. Neolithic Era So, what’s the big deal?
Allowed for permanent settlement, food surpluses, the domestication of animals & new technology

6. The Birth of Civilization

7. Cradles of Civilization
Tigris/Euphrates River: Iraq
Nile River: Egypt
Indus River: South Asia (Pakistan/India)
Huang He River: East Asia (China)

8. The 5 Characteristics of Civilization

9. Characteristics Specialized Workers Advanced Cities
Complex Institutions
Record Keeping
Improved Technology

10. Specialized Workers
Due to food surpluses, fewer people had to farm; time to refine skills & specialize
Examples: Artisans, Sailors, Merchants, Weavers, Priests,etc.

11. Advanced Cities
Once people began living together in one area, they established centers for trade
Examples: farmers, merchants, and traders brought goods to market in the cities

12. Complex Institutions
Supervise and protect agriculture & trade; Organize the community
Examples: Government, Religion, Economy

13. Record Keeping To pass on and preserve information
Examples: Record amounts of grain, water levels, religious offerings, passage of laws, calendar, written language,etc.

14. Improved Technology New tools & techniques to solve problems
Examples: ox-drawn plows, irrigation systems, potter’s wheel, tools from metal