Prehistory

Paleontologists

Studies fossils of man & animals

TIME PERIOD BEFORE WRITTEN EVIDENCE

Archaeologists

Study the remains of ancient humans (both fossils & artifacts)

Anthropologists

Scientists studying physical and cultural characteristics of

humans

How do we know How do we know where early man where early man

existed?existed?

Discovery of Ancient ManDiscovery of Ancient Man• Most remains found in

Great Rift Valley….Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania)…1959

• Mary & Louis Leakey discovered many

hominids

Origins of ManOrigins of Man

• 1st evidence found in Africa• Australopithecus

–Taung, South Africa–Ape-like: walked upright: brain = 1/3 human size

–3 - 4 million years old

Other EvidenceOther Evidence

• Rock Art

• Remains of tools, animal bones, etc…

Early Early Civilizations of Civilizations of

AfricaAfrica

Nile Valley CivilizationNile Valley Civilization• Evolved from hunting &

gathering to agricultural society

• 4,000 to 5,000 BC permanent farming settlements

• 3,500 BC Upper & Lower Kingdoms of Egypt

EGYPT of the EGYPT of the PHARAOHSPHARAOHS

• 3000 BC - 44 BC

• PHAROAH= god-KING

• TOTAL POWER

EGYPTIAN RELIGIONEGYPTIAN RELIGION

• POLYTHEISM–AMUN RA: SUN WORSHIP

–ISIS: MOTHER DEITY

–OSIRIS: UNDERWORLD & FATHER

–SET= DEVIL

–HORUS= SAVIOR GOD

• LIFE AFTER DEATH–BIGGEST CHANGE OVER

PAST RELIGIONS–TOMBS & PASSAGES

–IMHOTEP 2700–1ST KNOWN ARCHITECT IN

HISTORY

Imhotep

•Built the 1ST PYRAMID•His name inscribed on north side of unfinished pyramid•not a priest

IMHOTEP

Imhotep lived during the Old Kingdom and was born a commoner during the Third Dynasty. He was very skilled and was dedicated to the ideals of his nation.

Imhotep quickly rose through the ranks of the temple and court to become a vizier and the

High Priest of Ptah. Imhotep was a poet, an architect and physician-

priest. He wrote many medical and didactic texts. He is best known, however, as the chief architect of

the step pyramid at Saqqara. It remains today as one of the most brilliant architecture wonders of the ancient world. During the New Kingdom, Imhotep was deified and became the "Son of Ptah." The Romans Claudius and Tiberius inscribed their praises of Imhotep in the temples in Egypt.

For more information about Imhotep visit these sites:

Architect imhotep Imhotep: Ministry of Tourism, Egypt.

How wide is the average pyramid?

Base = 10 FOOTBALL FIELDS!

Developed Hieroglyphics Developed Hieroglyphics

• System of writing developed by Egyptians.

• Used pictures and symbols

                                                                                             

Other Egyptian advancesOther Egyptian advances

• math/farming

• Medical

• Produced a calendar

• astronomy.

Kingdom of KushKingdom of Kush

• Kingdom South of Egypt

• 750 B.C. Kush empire conquers Nile valley.

Development of Iron weaponsDevelopment of Iron weapons

• After defeat by Assyrians..

• established empire on banks of Nile

• Meroe

Separation from Egyptian Separation from Egyptian cultureculture

• Developed their own alphabet.

• Developed own Gods.

• Pre-Class

• Name parts of our culture that we have adopted from other cultures, or countries.

Kush at MeroeKush at Meroe

Kush continuedKush continued

• Kush profited from trade, all through Arabia, and India

Fall of Kush empireFall of Kush empire

• 200 A.D. invasions, and internal conflict lead empire to collapse.

Kingdom of AxumKingdom of Axum

• Developed on where modern day Ethiopia is today.

• 330 A.D. King Ezana defeats the Kush.

• Important center of trade

• Ivory, gems, spices

• King had converted to Christianity

• Ethiopia still has Christian communities today.

Decline of AxumDecline of Axum

• Environmental problems

• Persians influence

• Spread of Islam