A.P. World History

Chapter 1: Before History

Mr. SchaboCrestwood High School

Rm. 126

Learning Objectives• Compare and contrast the hominids Australopithecus

and Homo erectus.• Explain the development and migration of Homo

sapiens.• Identify economic and social features of human

societies during the paleolithic era.• Understand the key elements of paleolithic culture.• Explain the reasons behind the transition to agriculture

during the neolithic era.• Discuss the impact that the development of agriculture

had upon human society.• Understand the key elements of neolithic culture and

the emergence of urban life.

Forming the Complex Society

Basic development: Hunting and foraging Agriculture Complex society

Key issue: surplus capital Major development of first complex

societies 3500 B.C.E. – 500 B.C.E.

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Prehistory

What is “history”? Documentation

Written records Archaeological discovery

Requisite human presence (or “natural” history)

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Development of Hominids

Animals adapt themselves to environment

Hominids adapt environment to themselves Use of tools Language Complex cooperative social structures

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Reserved.

Australopithecus “The southern ape” –

despite name, a hominid

Discovery of skeleton AL-288-1, north of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Nicknamed “Lucy”

3’5”, 55lb., bipedal, brain 500 cc (modern human: 1400 cc), limited speech but opposable digit

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MEH_Australopithecus_afarensis_29-04-2012_11-30-00_2521x3223.JPG

Later Hominids Homo erectus, “upright

walking human” Larger brain capacity (1000

cc), improved tool use, control of fire, ability to communicate complex ideas

Homo sapiens, “consciously thinking human” Largest brain, esp. frontal

regions Most sophisticated tools and

social organization; flexible language

Migrations of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens

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http://blogs.westword.com/latestword/cathode_chronicles/index.php?page%5Cu003d2&page=3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_erectus

Global Migrations of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens

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The Natural Environment By 13,000 B.C.E.,

Homo sapiens in every inhabitable part of the world

Archaeological finds: Sophisticated tools

Choppers, scrapers, axes, knives, bows, arrows

Cave and hut-like dwellings

Use of fire, animal skins

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http://www.infoniac.com/environment/how-old-is-human-race-new-data.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Laas_Geel_cow_and_human.jpg

The Natural Environment –Continued Hunted several

mammal species to extinction Climatic

change may have accelerated process

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Relative Social Equality Nomadic culture precludes accumulation

of land-based wealth Relatively egalitarian existence More likely determinants of status: age,

hunting skill, fertility, personality Possible gender equality related to food

production Men: protein from hunting Women: plant gathering

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Big-Game Hunting Evidence of intelligent coordination

of hunting expeditions Development of weaponry Animal-skin disguises Stampeding tactics

Lighting of fires, etc., to drive game into kill zones

Required planning, communication

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Paleolithic Settlements Natufian society

Modern Israel and Jordan Wild wheat, herding

Jomon society Japan Wild buckwheat, fishing

Chinook society Pacific northwest Berries, acorns, salmon runs

Groups of 1000 or more

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http://bibleistrue.net/the-walls-of-jericho/

http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread744533/pg

Neandertal Peoples Neander valley,

western Germany Flourished in Europe

and southwest Asia, 200,000 to 35,000 years ago

Also found in Africa, east Asia

Evidence of spirituality: ritual burial

Inhabited some of the same areas as Homo sapiens

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthal

Creativity of Homo sapiens Constructed flexible

languages for communication of complex ideas

Increased variety of tools – stone blades, spear throwers, sewing needles, barbed harpoons

Fabricated ornamental beads, necklaces and bracelets

The bow and arrow – a dramatic improvement in humans’ power over nature

“Venus” figurines Cave paintings©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.anthropark.wz.cz/prechod_kultury_a.htm

http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/picturedisplay.asp?linkpath=pic%5CP%5CA%5CPaleolithic%20bracelet%20Mizyn%2015000%20BC%20(incised%20mammoth%20bone).jpg&page=pages%5CP%5CA%5CPaleolithicPeriod.htm&id=10693&pid=7314&tyt=Paleolithic%20Period&key=Paleolithic+Period%2C+%D0%9F%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%96%D1%82%3B+Paleolit%2C+%D0%9F%D0%B0%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%96%D1%82%3B+Paleolit%5D%2E+The+earliest+period+of+human+development%2C+lasting+until+approx+8000+BC%2E+In+Western+archeology+the+Paleolithic+Period+or+Old

Neolithic Era (“New Stone Age”) Distinction in tool production

Chipped vs. polished Relied on cultivation for

subsistence Men: herding animals rather than

hunting Women: nurturing vegetation rather

than foraging

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Neolithic Era Continued Spread of agriculture

Slash-and-burn techniques Exhaustion of soil promotes migration Transport of crops from one region to

another

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Origins and Early Spread of Agriculture

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Agriculture and Population Growth

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3000 B.C.E.

2000 B.C.E.

1000 B.C.E.

500 B.C.E.

0102030405060708090

100

Population (millions)

Early Agricultural Society Emergence of villages and towns Discoveries at Çatal Hüyük – a

prominent village located in Turkey, occupied 7250-5400 B.C.E. Pots, baskets, textiles, leather, stone,

metal tools, wood carvings, carpets, beads, and jewelry

Development of crafts – pottery, metallurgy, and textile production

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Social Distinctions

Accumulation of landed wealth initiates development of social classes

Individuals could trade surplus food for valuable items

Archaeological evidence in variety of household decorations, goods buried with deceased members of society at Çatal Hüyük

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Neolithic Culture Farmers closely observed the natural

world – an early kind of applied science Elements of natural environment

essential for functioning Archaeological evidence of religious

worship: thousands of clay figurines, drawings on pots, tool decorations, other ritual objects Fertility: Venus figurines

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The Origins of Urban Life

Craft specialization Social stratification Governance Cultural workers Development of the city – a

gradual process

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