Transcript
Page 1: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Precursors of Precursors of Civilization: Mesolithic Civilization: Mesolithic

and Neolithicand NeolithicThe Prehistoric Roots of the The Prehistoric Roots of the

Humanities and the ArtsHumanities and the Arts

Page 2: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Formation of Human SettlementsFormation of Human Settlements

The formation of settled communities is the The formation of settled communities is the next phasenext phase

The Mesolithic is not well defined except for The Mesolithic is not well defined except for the lack of domesticated plants or animalsthe lack of domesticated plants or animals

(Dogs for hunting is an exception.)(Dogs for hunting is an exception.) The Neolithic is defined by the domestication The Neolithic is defined by the domestication

of plant and animalsof plant and animals By then, settled communities developBy then, settled communities develop

Page 3: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Mesolithic Communities: Some Mesolithic Communities: Some ExamplesExamples

Mount Sandel, Ireland, was settled after the Mount Sandel, Ireland, was settled after the extinction of megafauna (big game animals)extinction of megafauna (big game animals)

Vedbaek, Denmark, was a coastal and Island Vedbaek, Denmark, was a coastal and Island communitycommunity

Nittano, Japan, is a classic example of a settled Nittano, Japan, is a classic example of a settled community with sophisticated pottery—community with sophisticated pottery—

And no agriculture or animal husbandryAnd no agriculture or animal husbandry All three communities were seacoast communities All three communities were seacoast communities

that depended on fishing, hunting, and gatheringthat depended on fishing, hunting, and gathering All three began to develop specialized tradesAll three began to develop specialized trades

Page 4: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Mount SandelMount Sandel

Evidence of settled communitiesEvidence of settled communities 4 huts accommodating 8-12 persons 4 huts accommodating 8-12 persons

(upper left)(upper left) Huts were circular with frame of bent Huts were circular with frame of bent

saplingssaplings Evidence of consistent food yieldEvidence of consistent food yield Resource availability varied by seasonResource availability varied by season Location near seashore ensured year-Location near seashore ensured year-

round occupationround occupation Flints tools, such as this polishedFlints tools, such as this polished

collection (lower left), were presentcollection (lower left), were present

Page 5: Mesolithic and Neolithic

VedbaekVedbaek

Grave sites (22) reveal a rich material culture, Grave sites (22) reveal a rich material culture, including ornamentsincluding ornaments

Main living areas near sea, also with a rich marine Main living areas near sea, also with a rich marine life life

Land animals important but secondaryLand animals important but secondary The island of Vaenget Nord reveals specialized sitesThe island of Vaenget Nord reveals specialized sites Butchering sitesButchering sites Stone and bone tool manufactureStone and bone tool manufacture Woodworking Woodworking

Page 6: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Nittano, Japan: SettlementsNittano, Japan: Settlements

Period is included in the Jomon pottery tradition Period is included in the Jomon pottery tradition (12,500-300 BCE)(12,500-300 BCE)

Settlements were permanent, as shown by:Settlements were permanent, as shown by: Complex tool assemblagesComplex tool assemblages Stone drills, knives, and scrapersStone drills, knives, and scrapers Milling stones, including mortars and pestles, which Milling stones, including mortars and pestles, which

indicate seeds and/or grainsindicate seeds and/or grains Pottery, with elaborate designsPottery, with elaborate designs Horseshoe style residential patternsHorseshoe style residential patterns

Page 7: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Nittano, Japan: Subsistence BaseNittano, Japan: Subsistence Base

Heavy dependence on sea resourcesHeavy dependence on sea resources 30 species of shellfish30 species of shellfish Fish was harvested in all seasons but winterFish was harvested in all seasons but winter Fishing gear: fishhooks, harpoons, canoesFishing gear: fishhooks, harpoons, canoes Land Resources:Land Resources: Land animals (deer and boar)Land animals (deer and boar) Edible plant sources (180 species)Edible plant sources (180 species) Bones indicate year-round occupationBones indicate year-round occupation

Page 8: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Nittano, Japan: Jomon PotteryNittano, Japan: Jomon Pottery

The period (12,500-300 BCE) begins with The period (12,500-300 BCE) begins with a rope design (upper left) a rope design (upper left)

Cords are pressed into the soft clay Cords are pressed into the soft clay before firing : Jomon means “cord before firing : Jomon means “cord marking”marking”

They were probably modeled after reed They were probably modeled after reed basketsbaskets

Later, in the Middle Jomon (2500-1500 Later, in the Middle Jomon (2500-1500 BCE) the top of the pots took on a playful BCE) the top of the pots took on a playful design (lower left)design (lower left)

They may or may not have meaningThey may or may not have meaning Human figures (called dogu) also made Human figures (called dogu) also made

their appearance.their appearance.

Page 9: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Tassili, AlgeriaTassili, Algeria

Rock painting suggests transition Rock painting suggests transition between foraging and herding between foraging and herding domesticated animalsdomesticated animals

This painting depicts men This painting depicts men herding cattle and other animals herding cattle and other animals at a site in Algeria, Tassiliat a site in Algeria, Tassili

Other rock art show war scenes, Other rock art show war scenes, herdsmen warding off lion herdsmen warding off lion attacks, and dancingattacks, and dancing

Both human and animal figures Both human and animal figures reflect today’s populationreflect today’s population

Page 10: Mesolithic and Neolithic

The Neolithic: OverviewThe Neolithic: Overview

The Neolithic, or “New Stone Age” begins at The Neolithic, or “New Stone Age” begins at different dates (6000-4000 BCE in the Near different dates (6000-4000 BCE in the Near East) in different locations.East) in different locations.

The features are the presence of:The features are the presence of: Domesticated plants, usually a staple such as Domesticated plants, usually a staple such as

wheat (Near East), corn (Mesoamerica) and wheat (Near East), corn (Mesoamerica) and rice (Central China or Southeast Asia)rice (Central China or Southeast Asia)

Domesticated animals (principally cattle, Domesticated animals (principally cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and camels)sheep, goats, horses, and camels)

Page 11: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Fertile Crescent: The First Neolithic Fertile Crescent: The First Neolithic Region Region

The earliest known sites are found in the Near East around the so-called The earliest known sites are found in the Near East around the so-called Fertile Crescent, from the Upper Nile to the East Mediterranean (Levant)Fertile Crescent, from the Upper Nile to the East Mediterranean (Levant)

Then into Turkey and Syria and to present-day Iraq. Then into Turkey and Syria and to present-day Iraq.

Page 12: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Land Use in Foraging versus Land Use in Foraging versus AgricultureAgriculture

Hunting and Gathering entails:Hunting and Gathering entails:: : Extensive plant/animal exploitationExtensive plant/animal exploitation Foraging over wide eraForaging over wide era Agriculture entails:Agriculture entails: Plant/Animal DomesticationPlant/Animal Domestication Intensive plant/animal exploitationIntensive plant/animal exploitation Intensive cultivation of a small geographical area; Intensive cultivation of a small geographical area;

herding (if practiced along) may involve extensive herding (if practiced along) may involve extensive land use.land use.

Page 13: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Defining Characteristics of Neolithic Defining Characteristics of Neolithic EraEra

Plant/Animal domesticationPlant/Animal domestication Settled Communities or Regular Migration within small, well-Settled Communities or Regular Migration within small, well-

defined areadefined area Technologies requiring settlement involve:Technologies requiring settlement involve: Stones for grinding grainsStones for grinding grains Pottery for cooking and storagePottery for cooking and storage Metallurgy for making agricultural implementsMetallurgy for making agricultural implements Food Storage in pottery or in bins made of stone or clayFood Storage in pottery or in bins made of stone or clay Housing on permanent sitesHousing on permanent sites Trash sites: where you have large populations you have a lot Trash sites: where you have large populations you have a lot

of trash and garbage. of trash and garbage.

Page 14: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Characteristics of Agriculture: Characteristics of Agriculture: PlantsPlants

Cultivation:Cultivation: Preparing soil Preparing soil Propagation:Propagation: Seed selection and planting Seed selection and planting HusbandryHusbandry: weeding, providing water, : weeding, providing water,

protection from pestsprotection from pests HarvestingHarvesting of seeds (grain), fruits, or leaves of seeds (grain), fruits, or leaves

when ripewhen ripe Reproduction:Reproduction: seed storage seed storage

Page 15: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Characteristics of Agriculture: Characteristics of Agriculture: AnimalsAnimals

Selection and breeding of animals for desired Selection and breeding of animals for desired characteristics (meat, milk, wool)characteristics (meat, milk, wool)

Husbandry: feeding and protecting animals Husbandry: feeding and protecting animals during nonproductive periodsduring nonproductive periods

Harvesting: Slaughter for meat, milking, Harvesting: Slaughter for meat, milking, shearingshearing

Page 16: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Primary Centers: Near EastPrimary Centers: Near East

Timeline: ca 6Timeline: ca 6 Eastern MediterraneanEastern Mediterranean Wheat, barley, ryeWheat, barley, rye Legumes: peas, lentilsLegumes: peas, lentils Fruits: Grapes, figs, olivesFruits: Grapes, figs, olives Fibers: flaxFibers: flax Animals: Pigs, sheep, goatsAnimals: Pigs, sheep, goats Principal technology: canal irrigationPrincipal technology: canal irrigation

Page 17: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Primary Centers: Egypt and the Nile Primary Centers: Egypt and the Nile ValleyValley

Timeline: ca 7000-5000 BCTimeline: ca 7000-5000 BC Grains: Wheat, BarleyGrains: Wheat, Barley Fibers: FlaxFibers: Flax Animals: Pigs, Sheep, Goats, CattleAnimals: Pigs, Sheep, Goats, Cattle Principal Technology: flood plain irrigation Principal Technology: flood plain irrigation

Page 18: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Primary Centers: South Asia (Indus Primary Centers: South Asia (Indus River)River)

Wheat may have diffused from Near EastWheat may have diffused from Near East Animals were indigenous: camels, goats, water Animals were indigenous: camels, goats, water

buffalobuffalo Principal technology: canal irrigationPrincipal technology: canal irrigation

Page 19: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Origins of Agriculture: Origins of Agriculture: Commonalities in ExplanationsCommonalities in Explanations

Usually rejected: evident advantages of agricultureUsually rejected: evident advantages of agriculture Involves more work than foragingInvolves more work than foraging Productivity beyond needProductivity beyond need Explanatory CommonalitiesExplanatory Commonalities Less available land for foragingLess available land for foraging Limitation of water supplyLimitation of water supply Relative overpopulationRelative overpopulation Occurrence of plants and animals that can be Occurrence of plants and animals that can be

domesticateddomesticated

Page 20: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Concomitants of Domestication: Concomitants of Domestication: TechnologyTechnology

Grinding tools, from mano and metate or Grinding tools, from mano and metate or mortar and pestle to millstonesmortar and pestle to millstones

PotteryPottery MetallurgyMetallurgy Transportation: horse, oxen and cartTransportation: horse, oxen and cart Roads and trade routesRoads and trade routes Seagoing vesselsSeagoing vessels

Page 21: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Concomitants of Domestication: Concomitants of Domestication: Social ConsequencesSocial Consequences

Settled communitiesSettled communities Socioeconomic differentiationSocioeconomic differentiation Simple to complex social structureSimple to complex social structure Economic specialization (nonfarm) and tradeEconomic specialization (nonfarm) and trade Rise of moneyRise of money Political institutions: chiefdom to statePolitical institutions: chiefdom to state Legal institutions and codified lawLegal institutions and codified law

Page 22: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Concomitants of Domestication: Rise Concomitants of Domestication: Rise of the Humanitiesof the Humanities

We encounter a more leisured society becauseWe encounter a more leisured society because High productivity allows freedom for some from High productivity allows freedom for some from

subsistence activities.subsistence activities. Full-time artisans take up the slackFull-time artisans take up the slack Artisans include those of luxury goods which Artisans include those of luxury goods which

include sculpture, painting, drawinginclude sculpture, painting, drawing They also include more intangible pursuits, such They also include more intangible pursuits, such

as music, drama, dance, and even philosophyas music, drama, dance, and even philosophy

Page 23: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Northern EuropeNorthern Europe

Europe was a secondary center of the Neolithic Europe was a secondary center of the Neolithic Revolution, having acquired agriculture from the Revolution, having acquired agriculture from the Near EastNear East

Several megalith (large stone) structure dotted Malta, Several megalith (large stone) structure dotted Malta, France, Germany, and EnglandFrance, Germany, and England

Temples and a necropolis (city of the dead) were Temples and a necropolis (city of the dead) were found at Ggandija on Gozo island near in Malta, an found at Ggandija on Gozo island near in Malta, an island between Italy and North Africaisland between Italy and North Africa

Carnac, Brittany, France, is a site of megaliths Carnac, Brittany, France, is a site of megaliths The best known is Stonehenge, southern EnglandThe best known is Stonehenge, southern England

Page 24: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Case Studies: StonehengeCase Studies: Stonehenge Stonehenge is the best-known Stonehenge is the best-known

megalithic structures in the European megalithic structures in the European Neolithic (upper left)Neolithic (upper left)

Location: plains of Salisbury in S. Location: plains of Salisbury in S. EnglandEngland

Structure is a post-and-lintel type of Structure is a post-and-lintel type of constructionconstruction

Menhirs Menhirs are vertical columns of are vertical columns of massive stone (post)massive stone (post)

Dolmens Dolmens are the stone “tables” placed are the stone “tables” placed on the dolmens (lintels)on the dolmens (lintels)

This structure is called a This structure is called a trilithontrilithon

Page 25: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Stonehenge: Structure (Con’t)Stonehenge: Structure (Con’t)

Posts and lintels are attached Posts and lintels are attached using a projection from the using a projection from the post called a post called a tenon tenon

The tenon fits into a hole, or The tenon fits into a hole, or morticemortice, in the lintel (upper , in the lintel (upper left)left)

The trilithons are arranged in The trilithons are arranged in a circle, or a circle, or chromtechschromtechs

These stones, composed of These stones, composed of limestone, are called limestone, are called sarsenssarsens

Page 26: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Stonehenge: Aubrey HolesStonehenge: Aubrey Holes

Outside the circle are 56 Outside the circle are 56 Aubrey holes, named after Aubrey holes, named after their discoverer John Aubreytheir discoverer John Aubrey

These are 3-foot holes filled These are 3-foot holes filled with chalkwith chalk

A ditch surrounds the outer A ditch surrounds the outer perimeterperimeter

The holes are said to be The holes are said to be calibrated to track the eclipse calibrated to track the eclipse of the moon over 56 yearsof the moon over 56 years

Page 27: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Other Parts of StonehengeOther Parts of Stonehenge

Outside the structure is the Heel Outside the structure is the Heel Stone, placed northeast (upper Stone, placed northeast (upper left)left)

Within the cromtech is the Altar Within the cromtech is the Altar Stone, partly surrounded by five Stone, partly surrounded by five inner trilithons, made of bluestoneinner trilithons, made of bluestone

Viewed from the Altar stone, it is Viewed from the Altar stone, it is said that the sun rises directly over said that the sun rises directly over the heel stone in summer solsticethe heel stone in summer solstice

Page 28: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Questions Raised by StonehengeQuestions Raised by Stonehenge

How were such heavy stones moved from their sources How were such heavy stones moved from their sources no less than 26 miles away and as far away as Wales?no less than 26 miles away and as far away as Wales?

How were these structures built without pulleys and other How were these structures built without pulleys and other modern technologies?modern technologies?

What were these sites for? Religion? Predictions?What were these sites for? Religion? Predictions? Is there anything to archaeological astronomy, such as Is there anything to archaeological astronomy, such as

claims of the Aubrey holes forecasting lunar eclipses?claims of the Aubrey holes forecasting lunar eclipses? How about the claim that the sun rises directly above the How about the claim that the sun rises directly above the

Heel Stone when viewed from the Altar Stone?Heel Stone when viewed from the Altar Stone? Inferences are many; conclusive evidence is limited. Inferences are many; conclusive evidence is limited.

Page 29: Mesolithic and Neolithic

Neolithic RevolutionNeolithic Revolution

Every civilization began with a Neolithic RevolutionEvery civilization began with a Neolithic Revolution These will be mentioned at the beginning of each These will be mentioned at the beginning of each

section for Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Egyptsection for Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Egypt In all areas, a surplus supported an increasing In all areas, a surplus supported an increasing

populationpopulation Nonagricultural crafts led to specialization and tradeNonagricultural crafts led to specialization and trade Large populations and trade had to be coordination, Large populations and trade had to be coordination,

leading to the rise of a political elite and thereby leading to the rise of a political elite and thereby social classessocial classes


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