Paleolithic Era to Mesopotamian City-States
Before History Prehistory = the period before written records. Archaeological information Archaeology = the study of structures of past societies by analyzing the artifacts. Artifacts = tools, household items, weapons, buildings, artworks, religious figures left behind by a people. Anthropology = focuses on culture by studying artifacts and human remains (human fossils). Examining bones and hides tells us about the diet of people Archaeologists and Anthropologists use scientific methods to create their theories. Most important use = dating artifacts and fossils. Radiocarbon Dating Thermoluminescence Biological methods (DNA and blood molecule analysis)
Early Stages of Development The First Humans (hominids) Australopithecines (Southern Apes) Earliest humanlike beings Lived in Africa and used simple stone tools Discovered and named by Donald Johnson Homo habilis The handy human Skilled workers Found by Louis and Mary Leakey Homo erectus Dates from about 1.5 million years ago. Used larger and more varied tools The first to move into parts of Europe and Asia First beings to deliberately make fire. Homo sapiens Known as wise human beings 2 sub groups: Neanderthal Homo sapiens sapiens
The Spread of Homo sapiens
Hunter-Gatherers (Old Stone Age) Distinguishing feature of humans = ability to make/use tools. Paleolithic Age = Old Stone Age designates the earliest period of human history. Paleolithic Peoples: Nomadic (may have lived in bands of 20-30 people) Life was literally devoted to and organized around finding food. Follow animal migration and vegetation cycles Gathered nuts, berries, fruits, and wild grains Division of labor Rough Equality Tools and Fire Change environment Developed = spears, bows and arrows, harpoons, and fishhooks Cave paintings can be found dating to this period.
The Development of Agriculture
The Neolithic Revolution c. 10,000-4000 B.C.E. A Revolution in Agriculture Shift from hunting & gathering Planting & domestication of animals Consequences of the Neolithic Revolution Neolithic farms and villages Oldest in the Middle East Jericho Çatal Hüyük Walled city Religious shrines Consequences Settled in villages and towns Trade Specialization of crafts Pottery and baskets Flint blades Change in relationship of men and women Men work in the fields/herd animals Women care for children/weaving cloth Fixed dwellings domestication of animals Writing and metalworking emerge
Çatal Hüyük
Why civilizations developed? Challenge and Response Material forces created specialization of labor Management of water resources Religion provided unity and purpose
Emergence of Civilization Characteristics of Civilization Urban focus Distinct religious structure New political and military structures New social structure based on economic power The development of writing New and significant artistic and intellectual activity Civilizations Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Nile Delta (lower Egypt) Indus River Valley (India) Yellow River Valley (China) Central Asia Supe River Valley (Peru)
The Ancient Near East
Civilization in Mesopotamia City-States of Ancient Mesopotamia Sumerian city-states Walls & mud-brick buildings Temple atop a ziggurat Gods ruled the cities - Theocracy Kingship divine in origin Theocratic government system Economy was agricultural Social groups: Nobles, Commoners, Slaves
The Ancient Near East
Empires in Ancient Mesopotamia Akkadian Empire Semitic people Led by Sargon Overran Sumerian cities established empire over most of Mesopotamia Empire falls return to warring city-states Amorites (Old Babylonians) Hammurabi creates a new empire
Code of Hammurabi Strict justice Penalties according to class Performance of work Marriage and the family Fathers ruled wives and children
Mesopotamian Culture The Culture of Mesopotamia Importance of Religion Epic of Gilgamesh Search for immortality Polytheistic Numerous gods and goddesses Divination Predict events
Cultivation of New Arts and Sciences Cuneiform Writing wedge shaped Primarily for record keeping Professional scribes Communicate important ideas Math of Sumerians based on 60 Geometry = measure fields and erect buildings Chart the heavens Calendar of 12 lunar months (extra month time to time)