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)