Download - 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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