EARLY MAN to First Civilizations

Paleolithic Period and Neolithic Period

The Paleolithic Period 2.5 Million BCE to 12000 BCE ish

(Before the Common Era)

• Humans migrated from Africa to Eurasia, Australia, & the Americas

• Used fire in new ways• Used wider range of tools • Humans were hunter – gatherers

– (1 square mile needed to support two people• Economic structures focused on kinship

groups (family and clan)

Archeologists interpret remains to describe early man.

The “Ice Man”

The Ice Man?

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/11/iceman-autopsy/hall-text

Mesoamerica

Andes Amazonia

Eastern North America

New Guinea

China

Ethiopia

WestAfrica

Fertile Crescent

In response to warming climates, from about 10,000 years ago, SETTLED AGRICULTURE

appeared in a number of places..

Nile valley

Settled Agriculture led to what is called

the Neolithic Revolution • Neolithic Revolution is the period known

for changes in human societies caused by agriculture and pastoralism (herding of animals)

How did people learn to farm and domesticate animals?

The Neolithic Revolution transformed societies

Changes to the environment

Increased population

More complex economies and social systems

• Patriarchy & forced labor systems• Specialization of labor (including artisans &

warriors)• More hierarchical social structures (elites and

commoners)

- Improvements in agricultural production, trade, & transportation

Wheeled vehicles

Pottery

Plows

Woven textilesMetallurgy

Domestication of Plants and Animals

Farming

Surplus Food SpecializationPopulation

Intensification

Complex Society,also known asCIVILIZATION

14

7) Complex Technologies

Chariot5) Specialized jobs

6) Social classes

Bronze Sword

3) Writing and record keeping

4) Highly organized religion

1) Cities

2) Central governments and law codes

Elements of Civilization include:

Early River Valley Civilizations

Is civilization more “civilized”?

Agricultural settlements led to achievements, but also. . .

• Population increases• Stronger Patriarchy & Slavery• Rigid social classes• War• Increased dependence on agriculture

So . . .• If a society is not a “civilization,” with

cities, complex institutions and record keeping, what is that society?– Barbarian?– Uncivilized?– Outsiders?– Backward or Unimportant?

• How that society is described depends on the INTERPRETATION of the archeologist and/or historian!