The Stone Ages Paleolithic Neolithic Era Paleolithic Era

The Stone Ages Paleolithic Neolithic Era

Paleolithic Era OLD STONE AGE n 4. 5 million years ago n Hominids emerged n Nomadic; Hunter/Gatherers n

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

Neolithic Era n Included domestication: taming wild animals to ensure a constant food source

Neolithic Era So, what’s the big deal?

The Birth of Civilization

Birth of Civilization Farming develops in many places: Americas, Africa, China, n Various crops n

Birth of Civilization Prosperous farming villages, food surpluses, & new technology lead to the rise of civilizations n Civilizations form all over the world; most are farming settlements in river valleys n

Birth of Civilization n Four of the earliest settlements are known as the Cradles of Civilization

Cradles of Civilization n n Tigris/Euphrates Rivers: Middle East (mostly Iraq) Nile River: Africa (Egypt)

Cradles of Civilization n n Indus River: South Asia (Pakistan/India) Huang He (Yellow) River: East Asia (China)

The 5 Characteristics of Civilization How Civilization Develops

Characteristics Civilization: a complex culture featuring: 1. Advanced Cities 2. Specialized Workers 3. Complex Institutions 4. Record Keeping 5. Improved Technology

Advanced Cities n Cities with larger populations rise, becoming centers of trade

Specialized Workers Due to food surpluses, fewer people have to farm; time to refine skills & specialize n Artisans arise; make goods that display certain skill and artistic ability n Job specialization leads to social classes n

Specialized Workers What are some examples of specialized workers in ancient cultures? Farmers n Merchants n Priests n Potters n Scribes n Teachers n Soldiers n Metalworkers n Weavers n Gov’t officials n Traders n

Complex Institutions: government, religion, the economy n Governments establish laws, maintain order n Temples are centers for religion, government and trade n

Record Keeping Need to preserve & pass on information n Professional record keepers (scribes) record taxes and laws n

Record Keeping Scribes invent cuneiform, a system of writing in about 3, 000 BC n Priest record myths: traditional stories of how earth was formed (found in every civilization) n

Improved Technology New tools & techniques to solve problems & make work easier n Irrigation: Less dependency on rainfall n Use ditches to flood fields; dams to control water n

Improved Technology More time allows for more creativity n People replace copper & stone with bronze to make tools, weapons, etc… n

Improved Technology Search for metals leads to long distance trade n Use animals for transportation n

Cultural Diffusion n n The exchange when cultures of goods and ideas comes in contact How would this improve the lives of people?