PreHistory and Early Civilizations Vocabulary Prehistory Period of

Pre-History and Early Civilizations

Vocabulary �Prehistory - Period of human history before writing was developed �Archeology – Study of past societies by analyzing what people left behind �Artifacts - Objects that are examined, such as tools, pottery, paintings, weapons, buildings, and household items �Anthropology - The study of human life and culture �Fossils - Remains of humans, plants, and animals �Paleolithic Age - Old Stone Age – early period in human history when humans used simple stone tools �Nomads - People who move from place to place in search of food �Neolithic Age – New Stone Age – farming, domestic animals, and permanent settlements emerge.

Paleolithic Age � 2, 500, 000 to 10, 000 BCE �“Old Stone” earliest period in human history �Hunters and gathers �Over time tools become more advanced, but still mostly made from stone �People were nomadic following their sources of food �Role of men? Role of women?

Paleolithic Age �Technology in the stone age? �What we make to sustain ourselves and control our environment �Shelters �Caves early on, then small huts with frames made from wood animal bones covered with hides �Fire has been used for 500, 000 years

Neolithic Age � 8000 to 4000 BCE �“New Stone” – began systematic agriculture (farming) and domesticating animals �Reasons for domestication of animals? �This agricultural revolution is thought to be the single most important event in human history �People begin permanent settlements �Faming villages - Jericho in Palestine, and Catal Huyuk in Turkey (largest found)

Neolithic Age �Beginnings of religion and writing during this time �Artisans emerge �Cloth is woven for the first time �Men become more active in herding and farming – become more dominant �Women did domestic activities �Toward the end of this era – people learn to use metal

Emergence of Civilization �Six most important characteristics �Cities �Government �Religion �Social structures �Writing �Art �Most are developed in river valleys – Why? �Onset of social classes/structures based on economic status

Early World Religions

India and Hinduism �Caste System �Brahmans (priests), Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaisyas (commoners), Sudras (peasants), and Untouchables �Vedas written around 1500 BCE based on Aryan religious beliefs �Ultimate reality (Brahman) individual self (atman) would seek this and once “found” would merge with Brahman after death �All living beings should seek to achieve this goal

India and Hinduism �Reincarnation appears in the 6 th century BCE �Gives hope to lower classes �Karma – part of reincarnation that decides how beings are reborn �Dharma – Divine law, rules karma. Requires all people to complete their required duties – varies per caste �Yoga – means union – practice to achieve oneness with God �Many deities with three main ones �Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Siva (or Shiva) the Destroyer

Buddhism �Appears in Northern India during the 6 th century BCE – Founded by Siddhartha Gautama (AKA Buddha, or Enlightened One) �Gave up rich life to find the true meaning of life and the cure for human suffering �Ascetic – Self denial �After a period of intense meditation he received enlightenment �Spent the rest of his life teaching what he learned

Buddhism �Teachings �Physical realm – illusion �Desire’s attachments to physical cause suffering �Give up attachments = achieving wisdom (bodhi) �Achieving wisdom stepping stone to nirvana (ultimate reality) �FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS ACHIEVED BY TAKING THE (MIDDLE) EIGHTFOLD PATH

Four Noble Truths and the Middle Path � 1. Ordinary life is suffering � 2. This suffering is caused by our desire to satisfy ourselves � 3. The way to end suffering is to end selfish goals and see others as extensions of ourselves � 4. The way to end desire is to follow the Middle Path �Right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration

China �Chinese history begins over 4000 years ago �Xia dynasty ruled until 1750 BCE – not much is known about it �Replaced by Shang Dynasty (1750 – 1122 BCE) – aristocracy’s wealth is based on land power is passed down through the generations �Zhou Dynasty (1045 to 256 BCE) replaces Shang Dynasty

Zhou Dynasty (1045 to 256 BCE) �Zhou king keeps the Shang political structure and expands the bureaucracy (government) �King was believed to connect Heaven and Earth �A new theory emerges known as the Mandate of Heaven which rule the Zhou Dynasty

Mandate of Heaven �Heaven (an impersonal law of nature) kept order in the world through the Zhou King �Basic part of Chinese political theory �King was expected to be virtuous (good) and to rule with goodness and efficiency. Ruled the proper “Way” (Dao) �If the king was not effective he could be overthrown (sets forth the right of revolution) �Dynasties ruled Chinese politics until 1912 CE

Chinese Philosophies �Confucianism �Confucius known to the Chinese as the First teacher �Ideas were political and ethical, not spiritual. �Follow the Dao (way) and act in harmony with the universe’s purpose, people would prosper �Duty dictated that individual needs should be come after the needs of the family and community �Governed by the Five Constant Relationships � parent – child, husband – wife, older sibling – younger sibling, older friend – younger friend, and ruler - subject

Chinese Philosophies �Daoism �Based on the teachings of Laozi that dictates proper forms of behavior for people on Earth �Following the Dao = people acting spontaneously, letting nature take its course �Legalism �Human beings are essentially evil �Requires strong ruler and harsh, impersonal, laws = makes people obedient through fear

Qin Dynasty (221 -206 BCE) �Established by Qin Shihuangdi who adopts Legalism �Anyone or anything opposing the regime was censored �Government divided – civil, military, and censorate �Created monetary and road systems �The Great Wall of China sees it’s start �Terra Cotta soldiers

Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 200 CE) �One of China’s greatest dynasties �Founded by Liu Bang, who replace Legalism with Confucianism �Officials received positions through merit not birth �Civil service exam and training schools were established for government service �Population tripled during this time �Paper was developed �Technological advances